Implementation of an organisational wide approach to improving policy documents using plain language: a case study

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Health Literacy
• Communication in Healthcare

Background:

• Poorly written healthcare policies incur substantial economic and personal costs.
• Existing policy development processes lacked clarity and accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reframe healthcare policy development using health literacy principles.
• To improve policy readability and staff engagement through plain language initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Implemented mandatory plain language writing (grade 10-12 readability).
• Provided staff training on plain language techniques.
• Integrated consumer and staff feedback into policy revisions.
• Focused on leadership, instruction, support, and evidence-based decisions.

Main Results:

• Overwhelmingly positive staff responses to revised processes.
• Demonstrated improvement in policy document readability.
• Evolved consumer involvement in policy development.

Conclusions:

• Health literacy principles can be effectively embedded in healthcare policy development.
• Improved governance of policy documents is achievable.
• Plain language enhances policy effectiveness and accessibility.