mercredi 30 novembre 2016

Essentials In Writing Patient Handouts

By Mary Gibson


For people with an illness that involves physical exercises in the treatment plan, they will also receive handouts to guide them in carrying out the exercises. The most common type of this document to such patients is one that is known as the Home Exercise Program (HEP) that is used in physical therapy. Here are some tips to note when writing the patient handouts for the patients.

In the plan, the exercises are explained accurately and in details. This is done to ensure that the user of the guide completely understands the activities and how they should be carried out appropriately for maximum benefit. An example is through explaining the time taken to carry out an exercise as well as the number of times it should be repeated.

To promote understanding and convenience for the patients using the therapy, the handout provided for guidance should be written in an organized manner that allows the flow of information and the exercise procedures. This thus means that the exercise will be explained in the step by step manner to avoid mistakes by the user.

It may be difficult to explain some procedures or processes using texts. In such an instance, the use of diagrams or pictures is encouraged as they promote understanding by providing a visual representation. The features can not only help in understanding the complex procedure but will also supplement the content in the texts.

In writing the plans, there are some factors that need to be considered regarding the text. Some of the factors include keeping the font clear and legible and ensure the minimum font size used is 12. This helps avoid misinterpretation due to poorly written words that affect the procedure taken by the patients in carrying out the physical therapy.

As for the language in the plan, the information should be explained in a manner that is easy to understand and comprehend. This is necessary for ensuring that the procedures are understood by all types of patients even children. The plan should also be written in an informal writing style aimed at making the readers feel as if the writer is talking to them on a personal level.

When writing the plans, avoid including complex exercise routines as they discourage most patients. This is especially because they will carry them out at home, so if they are discouraged, then they are likely to avoid doing the whole therapy. To encourage the clients to complete the therapy through following the instructions, ensure that you include simple and light exercises.

However detailed and comprehensive the handout, the doctor will still have to give a brief or detailed verbal account of what the physical therapy will involve. This is necessary as it increases the patients understanding of the treatment plan as well as offer an opportunity for the doctor to encourage the patients to complete the therapy. For those who are about to create handouts, take every detail into consideration.




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