HAI seminar1 How written & spoken info should interact Andrew Herxheimer

HAI seminar2 Whats the message? What do you wish the user to understand, learn, remember? to consider important? to do as a result?

HAI seminar3 Maxims Be clear clarity begins at home avoid ambiguity & memorable when possible Be brief Be consistent

HAI seminar4 Questions & answers Explain why the question matters If the answer leaves loose ends say how to take it further Eg, Be careful before taking X if you are taking ketoconazole or fluoxetine: What does be careful mean?

HAI seminar5 Organisation and Layout Makes a big difference Logical, uncluttered Emphasis can mean different things to writer and reader eg, black box warnings are often perceived as not being part of the information, and ignored

HAI seminar6 Test printed material on users If fewer than 90% can understand and use it, improve it until more than 90% can do so. This usually requires iterative testing

HAI seminar7 Written info can be a common starting point for patient and professional They can - read it before they talk - refer to it while they talk

HAI seminar8 Words work best when shared Talking and writing are one-sided: they must be in balance with listening and reading People best understand the words that they themselves use – provided their meaning is the same In writing for doctors & pharmacists, we should try to use words that they (and we) can use with patients?

HAI seminar9 Concluding question: How does the information fit into the current and the future joint agenda beween patient and professional? Around and between decisions & actions