From: Teaching plain language to medical students: improving communication with disadvantaged patients
Hospital Department | |
Letter Attributes | Number of sentences Number of Words |
Patient’s Data | Number of medications listed in the letter Background diseases (list) Admission diagnoses |
Give a summary score on a likert scale of 1–5 | |
 1. Telling the narrative of the hospital admission [1 …….5] | • Providing the narrative in a logical and helpful order starting with the most important ideas • Describing the main hospitalization phases from admission to discharge • Writing the narrative in an engaging way • Thoughtful inclusion or omitting of medical information to the narrative • Ending with clear guidance as to what the patient needs to do now • Combining patient education, explaining results’ meaning and treatment rationale |
 2. Adequacy and clarity of medical terms [1…….5] | • Good, simple correct explanation of medical and technical terms in a readable manner • Logical description of history, physical examination, and investigations, and why they were done • Avoiding expressions that could be misunderstood by lay people |
 3. Language and style [1…….5] | • Written to the patient (or parent) in the active tense, respectful and not condescending • Written in full sentences using sub-headings when the letter is long • Using short sentences / avoiding long and complex sentences. • No inappropriate phrases (offensive or expressing disrespect) • Inclusion of useful diagram if helpful |
 4. Medical problems list [1…….5] | • A complete list of medical problems, including chronic diseases • The current problem, admission diagnosis - at the top of the list |
 5. Medication Table [1…….5] | • Adherence to the medication table guidelines  ○ Nam  ○ Concise explanation of action  ○ Dosage and administration instructions |
 6. Instructions [1…….5] | • Clear and specific (what to do, when and where) • Providing explanation for referrals and follow up in the community |