A PIL FOR EVERY ILL - PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLETS (PILS) - A REVIEW OF PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE USE

This article reviews the usefulness and importance of written informat ion, specifically leaflets, being given to patients. Evidence suggesti ng how both patient and doctor may benefit from the giving of written information is reviewed. Identification of good practice relating to t he content and readability of leaflets is discussed. An argument is pu t forward that the giving of written information is an under-utilized resource in contributing to improving patient outcomes but that this m ay be changing with the increasing use of patient leaflet databases. T he advantages and disadvantages of computer-generated patient leaflets are discussed and desirable further areas of research on computer-gen erated leaflets are proposed.