The quality and management of written information presented to women undergoing hysterectomy

A study of a random sample of hospitals in England that provide information leaflets for women undergoing hysterectomy indicates a large variation in quality. In general, the findings reveal that written information for patients is given a relatively low priority. Production and dissemination of information for hysterectomy patients is somewhat ad hoc. It is not clear that any evaluation of the leaflets has been conducted to prove the efficacy of the available literature. While the majority of leaflets include information deemed essential by past hysterectomy patients, the presentation of the recovery process often implies no control for the patient, and conceives normality with a narrow perspective about what healthy behaviour means for women. The provision of a specific timetable for resumption of housework duties in 65% of the leaflets is a case in point. On the basis of the results of the survey, recommendations are made concerning the improvement of the standard of patient information leaflets.