How to produce an information brochure for patients and healthcare system users

Written information should be part of a coherent communication strategy aimed at facilitating patients’ involvement in making decisions about their own care. The brochures should give relevant, clear, and concise information which can facilitate communication with patients. They can supplement any other information and advice given, thus helping patients make decisions about their health. Specialty societies and professional organisations wishing to provide patients and users with an information brochure based on available professional guidelines, which is an adjunct to verbal information, should find this guide useful. This guide updated in June 2008 is based on a critical review of the literature on producing information brochures for patients/users and on feedback obtained on ANAES brochures based on professional practice guidelines. A quick reference guide is also available.

This guide describes the steps involved in producing brochures that provide patients, their relatives, and healthcare system users with easy-to-understand information based on valid sources. The brochures should give relevant, clear, and concise information which can facilitate communication with patients. They can supplement any other information and advice given, thus helping patients make decisions about their health.