The art and science of providing patients with helpful information

Access to accurate and appropriate information is crucial for patients' wellbeing and participation in decision-making. Patients' information needs are subject to change; this concerns the content as well as the amount, timing and mode of information delivery. Moreover, patients differ in their information processing capacity. Consequently, healthcare professionals should preferably tailor their information to individual patients' preexisting knowledge, cognitive abilities, as well as their emerging information needs. Based on own research and experience in medical teaching, this discussion paper aims to critically reflect on what we know about person-centered communication practices that promote such tailoring of information, i.e. providing patients with information that can help them to manage and understand their symptoms or disease.

For various reasons, tailoring can be challenging. Recommendations are provided for healthcare professionals who wish to identify their patients' specific information needs as regards certain topics and the amount of detail they desire. Additionally, communication practices are discussed that promote patients' understanding and recall of information.

Providing patients with information that can help them requires curiosity, creativity and the skillful use of various communication practices.