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Writing easily read patient education handouts: a computerized approach
1Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
Seminars in Dermatology
|June 1, 1991
Summary
Patient education handouts are most effective when easy to read and understand. This article explores using computerized readability formulas to improve patient handout content for better health communication.
Area of Science:
- Health Communication
- Medical Writing
Background:
- Patient education handouts are crucial for disseminating health information.
- Ensuring readability is key to maximizing patient benefit and understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the application of computerized readability formulas in developing patient education materials.
- To provide practical suggestions and illustrations for writing effective patient handouts.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing computerized readability formulas to assess and guide the writing process.
- Analyzing text complexity and suggesting improvements for clarity.
Main Results:
- Computerized readability formulas offer a systematic approach to enhance handout clarity.
- Specific writing techniques can significantly improve patient comprehension.
Conclusions:
- Employing readability formulas is a valuable strategy for creating accessible patient education materials.
- Improved handout readability can lead to better patient engagement and health outcomes.