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Making information accessible: developing plain English discharge instructions
Citation
Robinson, A and Miller, M, Making information accessible: developing plain English discharge instructions, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24, (3) pp. 528-535. ISSN 0309-2402 (1996) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.1996.22113.x
Abstract
Discharge education has always been an important role for nurses working in acute care contexts. With the advent of case mix funding and subsequent trends towards early discharge from hospital, this educational role is assuming increasing importance. This paper addresses one aspect of a participatory action research study where a group of nurses, working in a paediatric orthopaedic ward, explored their discharge education practices and resources. The seemingly large number of post-discharge telephone queries received from parents of children treated on the ward prompted these nurses to question whether their discharge teaching practices were effective. Data collected on these telephone queries identified parental concerns regarding the care of their child at home in a plaster. This finding prompted group members to explore the ways that written information relating to care of the plaster at home might be implicated in the situation. An analysis of an existing 'home cast care' discharge instruction sheet raised issues concerning the content and language used in such resources. The paper describes the subsequent development of a plain English 'plaster care' discharge instruction sheet and argues the importance of using plain English in such resources.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Research Division: | Health Sciences |
Research Group: | Nursing |
Research Field: | Nursing not elsewhere classified |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Other health |
Objective Field: | Other health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Robinson, A (Professor Andrew Robinson) |
ID Code: | 9273 |
Year Published: | 1996 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 9 |
Deposited By: | Health Sciences B |
Deposited On: | 1996-08-01 |
Last Modified: | 2011-08-22 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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