Essentials In Writing Patient Handouts

By Mary Gibson


For some illness, there are some physical exercises that the patients are expected to do while at home so as to promote recovery. Often these exercises are termed as physical therapy. To help guide the patients in carrying out the exercises, they are provided with Patient Handouts with the common one known as Home Exercise Program (HEP). The article below explains some of the factors to consider when writing the various types of plans used by the patients in the physical therapies.

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.

Ensuring the plan is written in a clear and organized structure is also essential in writing the plan. The plan should thus contain a step by step guide to help the patients change exercise procedures as well as how to carry out an exercise. This will make it easier for the clients to fully acquire the benefits of the physical therapy.

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.

The text is also a necessary factor considered when writing the handout. It is important to have the text as clear and legible as possible to allow reading by any person although they may have a vision deficit problem. Ensuring that all fonts used in the handout are over the size 12 is necessary for ensuring that the text is clear and legible.

Regarding language, the content explained should be in a manner that is easy to understand even for a child. This ensures that any person can easily read and understand the document. While writing the document, ensure that an informal writing style is used to help patients feel as if you are talking to them personally.

As the exercises are carried out at home, it is necessary that all complex and difficult exercises should not be included in the plan. This is prohibited as most patients will be discouraged by the exercise thus increasing their chances of failing to complete the therapy. This in turn reduces their rate of recovery. The plan should thus involve simple, light to do exercises that encourage the patients to do.

The handout will include a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the therapy and its activities. However, the doctor is still expected to offer the patients a verbal account of what exactly they are to do. This improves their understanding of the plan and is also aimed at encouraging one to fully participate and try to complete the therapy. The discussed tips are vital for anyone who is planning to create a handout.




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