Good quality patient health information Guide

Overview of the study

There were four stages to the study:

I. A review of research evidence on patients’ information needs and the likely
impact and effectiveness of making high quality information materials more
widely available and accessible.

II. A web search, an email survey of health information specialists, and a review of
official statistics were conducted to produce an estimate of the number and type
of providers offering patient information. Information specialists were also asked
for their views on the proposed accreditation scheme.

III. A sub-set of 40 information materials identified in the search was evaluated
using an evidence-based quality checklist. The clinical content of the materials
was assessed with reference to an overview of systematic reviews and epidemiological
studies.

IV. A telephone survey of representatives of the organisations that had developed
the information materials was organised to obtain information on the development process. Interviewees were also asked for their views on the
proposed accreditation scheme.