PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLETS - PRODUCING UNDERSTANDABLE PILS

The concept of the informed health-care 'consumer' rests on the availa bility of comprehensible information. While various bodies have made i nformation available, its quality is mixed. Information is sometimes u ntrustworthy, incomprehensible, or simply forgotten by patients. An un derstandable record of advice is more likely to bring about compliance with treatment and lessen the need to revisit the surgery. This is a report of the revision of health-care information leaflets and their t esting on 59 volunteers (61-81 years old). Presentation, reading ease and understanding were considered. The goal of making health-care info rmation comprehensible was achieved. Guidelines for revising such mate rial are described and illustrated. The informed consumer goal may be achievable if writers of health-care information attend to communicati on as much as to the adequacy of their medical advice.