The Patient Information Forum (PiF) is the UK association for professionals that work in the field of consumer health information. (I would be interested to learn of other similar associations, especially in low- and middle-income countries – indeed, is there a global “Patient Information Forum”?). The website is http://www.pifonline.org.uk/ PiF is creating ‘the UK’s first practical, producer-led guidance and best practice on creating great health information resources…’ The report is available here: http://www.pifonline.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Report-on-engagement-events-creating-health-information-that-really-works-June-2014.pdf ‘… a number of issues appeared consistently across all topics and arguably form a set of overarching principles for creating consistently good health information. These principles include (this list is not exhaustive):
- 1. Have a clear purpose for the information and share this with all involved
- 2. Talk to and involve potential users from the start and throughout: ‘follow the information user at all stages’
- 3. Less is more…keep information simple and clear
- 4. Personalise information wherever possible; one size does not fit all
- 5. Make sure information works in the ‘real world’ for all involved or affected
- 6. Check what’s already available and think outside your organisation: link to and share good work, knowledge and expertise across professional boundaries and across the professional/patient/public boundary
- 7. Information shouldn’t stand alone. It needs support, so it can become knowledge, education and empowerment.’
Best wishes, Neil