What is Plain Language?
Among the experts, Plain Language has many definitions. At Patient Education Cares, we believe that Plain Language is communication that users understand the first time. It is oral and written language that is clear, concise, and appropriate. Plain language is an effective means of improving health literacy and enhancing everyday communication.
Plain Language Services
Editing
Meet the Joint Commission's recommendations of approximately a sixth-grade reading level. We will evaluate your patient information for readability and adherence to Plain Language principles. Our revisions will lower the readability and make your message clear and understandable.
Summaries
We can summarize complex information for you, rewriting it in simple, direct language improving understanding and eliminating ambiguity.
Design and Layout
Research consistently shows that design features such as illustrations and “chunking” improve comprehension. We can assist you in applying these principles to create materials that will enhance your patient's understanding, empowering them to make healthy choices.
Development
You provide the content. We manage the development. Let us help you create customized patient education materials including single sheets, brochures, and booklets. Want to do it yourself? We can provide you with a plan, guidelines, or even a template for your project.
Healthcare Provider Resources
At Patient Education Cares, we believe that staff education is synonymous with patient education and that Plain Language is universal.
Whether your goal is to standardize internal information, facilitate communication, increase regulatory compliance, or foster patient safety and decrease liability, staff resourcing has never been more important.
Do you need:
- Training materials
- Provider handbooks
- Website content
- Policies, procedures, or guidelines
Staff materials written in clear, concise language help staff function more effectively ultimately improving the quality of patient care and increasing patient satisfaction. Patient Education Cares can help you develop written materials for your staff.
Did You Know?
Most Americans read at a seventh to eighth grade reading level even if their formal education is higher. In addition, stress, unfamiliar topics, and technical terms can lower comprehension. Numerous studies indicate that even highly educated adults prefer to have health material written in simplified language. Unfortunately, most health literature is written at a tenth grade level or above.
To improve comprehension, the Joint Commission recommends that healthcare practitioners provide patient education that is written in Plain Language at approximately a 5th to 6th grade reading level.
A Sample of Plain Language Revision
College Level
From: American College of Chest Physicians, 2006, : A Guide to Lung Transplantation, Patient Education Guide
After surgery is completed, you will be taken to an intensive care unit (ICU) for postsurgical recovery and monitoring. You will be in the ICU for at least several days. While you are in the ICU, you will have a breathing tube and mechanical ventilation for 1 or 2 days, a nasogastric tube to remove stomach contents that might be aspirated or make you nauseous, chest tubes to drain blood and postsurgical fluids from the chest cavity, a Foley catheter to drain urine, and intravenous (IV) catheters in your neck and arm for monitoring and for providing necessary fluids and medications. After leaving the ICU, you will go to a hospital room. The average stay in a hospital varies between transplant programs but is generally 1 to 3 weeks. However, since many complications can occur, some people are in the ICU and in the hospital for much longer—sometimes many weeks or even months.
Here is the same passage with Plain Language revision:
6th Grade Level
After surgery, you will be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) to recover. You will be in the ICU for 2-4 days. While you are in the ICU, you will have many tubes:
- A breathing tube for 1 or 2 days,
- A tube that goes in your nose and down to your stomach to keep it empty so that you do not throw up
- Chest tubes to drain blood and fluids from your chest
- A Foley catheter to drain your urine,
- Intravenous (IV) catheters in your neck and arm to check your blood pressure and heart rate and to give you fluids and medications.
When you leave the ICU, you will go to a hospital room. Your hospital stay can be 1 to 3 weeks. If you have problems, your stay in the ICU and in the hospital can be longer.
Which would you rather read?
At Patient Education Cares, we believe that Plain Language is a combination of careful, goal oriented writing and skillful layout and design that results in clear, effective communication.
As Plain Language experts, we are dedicated to helping you with all of your Plain Language needs!
Plain Language Links
- PlainLanguage.gov
- Plain Language Association InterNational
- National Quality Forum
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