Patient information leaflets: some pertinent guidelines

Abstract Purpose : To establish an appropriate set of guidelines to facilitate designing patient information leaflets for diagnostic imaging procedures. Method : Information prepared by imaging departments for patients to prepare them for impending procedures currently exists in varying standards. There is a need for current practice in radiography to be more research driven. This paper reviews some of the extensive literature on the design requirements for patient information. Based on this qualitative research, some categories of information which should be included to achieve optimum quality leaflets are suggested. Conclusion : Clinical departments need to be aware of the importance of providing clear and explicit information to patients. Appropriate use of language and format is critical to ensure that the intended message is conveyed to patients. These guidelines could be adapted for any imaging department and used to develop individual information material for specific procedures.