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A framework for the evaluation of patient information leaflets
Mark Garner1, Zhenye Ning, Jill Francis
1School of Language and Literature, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK. m.garner@abdn.ac.uk
Summary
Evaluating patient information leaflets (PILs) requires a patient-centered approach beyond simple readability. A new framework assesses text, reader comprehension, and communicative effectiveness for better healthcare communication.
Area of Science:
- Health Communication
- Patient Education
- Medical Information Design
Background:
- Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) are crucial in healthcare but often lack theoretical evaluation frameworks.
- Current PIL evaluations predominantly rely on readability, which is insufficient for comprehensive assessment.
- A need exists for frameworks that incorporate the patient perspective in communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel, patient-centered framework for evaluating PILs.
- To move beyond readability metrics towards a more holistic assessment of information quality.
- To utilize simple linguistic principles for evaluating patient communication materials.
Main Methods:
- The proposed framework comprises three elements: readability, comprehensibility, and communicative effectiveness.
- Readability is assessed using established procedures focusing on text.
- Comprehensibility uses multiple-choice questions analyzing lexical and semantic features.
- Communicative effectiveness examines reader responses (emotional, cognitive, behavioral) against PIL objectives.
Main Results:
- Preliminary empirical investigations support the suggested assessment methods.
- The framework provides a structured approach to evaluating PILs from the patient's viewpoint.
- The tripartite model offers a method to assess the quality and appropriateness of patient information.
Conclusions:
- The tripartite model of communicative effectiveness offers a patient-centered approach to PIL evaluation.
- This framework facilitates a move beyond basic readability to broader quality indicators.
- It enhances the assessment of printed health information for patients.
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