Help Your Clients Create More Readable Patient Education Materials

Abstract

Improving readability is a challenge for many of our clients who create patient education materials.1 Most studies addressing this problem focus on the language level of written content. Both digital and print materials produced for public audiences are typically more appropriate for health care providers and students than for patients, families, and caregivers, and this appears to be a global problem. As a medical communicator, you can help! Even if you don’t have specialized training in health communication or creating patient education, the simple tips below can help you improve the readability of materials prepared for the public.