Guidance for this type of search.
Notes
The suggested time to allocate to this search: 3-6 hours.
Please read:
- "All evidence searches" (see "Quick links") before proceeding
- and the "Supplement" section for examples of this type of search
Planning
Ask the requester exactly what is needed and what level is needed (e.g., high end evidence or basic information).
The requester may need to manage their patient’s expectations. If it is appropriate for your role as a patient information specialist, and/or with their clinician's consent, speak to the patient to discuss what they would like.
Check if your Trust has guidelines for writing for patients, including an approval process for patient information.
If the request is about providing information on medication, check with your Trust procedure on handling medicines information queries, if you have one, as some Trusts will direct these straight to Medicines Management (or they will carry out a search too).
Execution
Are there similar leaflets produced by other Trusts?
Look for other Trust websites that contain information about the given procedure/treatment/condition. Search the following:
Google
Some options include:
- Include “NHS Trust” in your search terms and/or use geographic limits and/or limit to sites with “…nhs.uk” URLs using the limits site:nhs.uk or inurl:nhs.
- See Advanced Google search within For All Evidence Searches for more information.
- A Bing search can bring useful videos to light. Bear in mind copyright/permissions restrictions if copying or adapting others’ work.
The NHS website
Look at the NHS public website (www.nhs.uk), NICE Guidance (and in particular NICE Guideline [NG197] “Shared decision making” if the requester wants to communicate risks/benefits of treatment), and the UK Health Security Agency website.
Patient information websites
Search websites that provide patient information, e.g. Patient (formerly known as patient.info, and still at that same URL) or clinical decision support tools:
- BMJ Best Practice has a “Patient Leaflet” library
- UpToDate (££) has patient information tabs (“basics” and “beyond the basics”) that are pitched at the right level
- ClinicalKey (££) also features useful “patient education” sections
Charity websites
Look at charities related to specific conditions (like the British Heart Foundation) and voluntary sector organisations: they are a good source of reliable information but are sometimes slightly too detailed for a basic patient information leaflet.
Patient experience websites
Consider the use of patient experience, e.g. The Patient Experience Library, Healthtalk.
- Are there any websites from good quality, evidence-based sources that you can add as a useful link for the patient?
- Any films they can watch? Are there any useful apps they could download to help manage their health condition?
- Think also about signposting the patient to relevant, verified, social media accounts.
Results
Plan your first draft: if the leaflet is in a question/answer format (recommended), can you list the questions? This will help order the information that you need to include in a logical manner.
Write the first draft of the leaflet. Use language very carefully, Try one or more of these resources to help write your draft:
Plain English Campaign
The Plain English Campaign has good tips about how to write in plain English. For the layout, leave plenty of white space, use bullet points, avoid repetition, logically order information. Do not forget to include risks and benefits.
HEE’s Health literacy ‘how to’ guide includes information on how to design and layout written information for patients.
Patient Information Forum (PIF)
A Patient Information Forum (PIF) survey revealed strong support for target reading age of 9-11 years old for health information.
PIF provides guidance on how to use plain language to produce health literacy friendly information, as well as a guide for translating health information in order to provide practical support to non-English speakers’ patients.
NHS England
HEE’s Health literacy ‘how to’ guide includes information on how to design and layout written information for patients.
The NHS website
The NHS website offers health information in other languages. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals have also compiled a list of patient leaflets in foreign languages arranged by alphabetical order.
Patient experience websites
Consider the use of patient experience, e.g. The Patient Experience Library, Healthtalk.
Easy Health
Easy Health offers accessible health information with simple words, clear pictures and films.
Test if your leaflet is easy to read using a tool such as the Hemingway Editor.
Send your draft to your requester. Add a list of resources that the information came from (if applicable).
Be prepared for re-drafts and updates