Patient information page template

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Charmaine Patel, M.D. [2]

Introduction

• The goal of the patient information page is to provide a patient with a comprehensive description of the disease.
• It should be written at a 5th to 8th grade reading level, and if medical terminology is used, it should be explained.
• Examples of patient information pages that are good references, are the pages on Chronic stable angina here, and Pericarditis here.
• Follow the format, headings, and capitalizations of letters as outlined below in the template.Only capitalize the disease name if it is at the start of a sentence, or a proper noun, meaning someones name (eg, Lou-Gherig's disease, Alport syndrome, Addison's disease)
• The title of the page should be: Disease name (patient information). Only the first letter of the heading is capitalized.
• Create the page in the second person perspective eg "You should call your doctor if you experience....." or "You may experience symptoms such as...."

Overview

• This section should give a brief description of the disease, and have the name of the disease in the first sentence.
• For an example of the overview section of a patient page, click here

What are the symptoms of (disease name)?

• Here you can list the symptoms that the patient may notice. Remember that signs are different from symptoms.
• For an example of the symptoms section in a patient information page, click here.

What causes (disease name)?

• Here you can list the causes of the disease. Remember this is what causes the disease, not what the disease causes.
• For an example of the causes section on a patient information page, click here.

Who is at highest risk?

• Here you can list, or write in sentences, the most common risk factors for developing the disease.

• This section can separated into modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors if appropriate.

• For an example of a risk factors section on a patient information page, click here.

When to seek urgent medical care

• This section should focus on the symptoms that may indicate impending life threatening situations, or significant worsening.

• For an example of a section detailing this on a patient information page, click here

Diagnosis

• In this section you can outline what the patient might expect to encounter as far as diagnostic studies.

• List the types of studies with a brief description, as well as blood tests, urine tests, pertinent portions of the physical examination etc.

• For an example of a diagnosis section on a patient information page, click here.

Treatment options

• In this section you should outline the treatment options, including medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical interventions.

• Advise the patient to always follow the treatment plan that their doctor has provided them.

• For an example of a treatment section of a patient information page, click here.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)

• In this section you should provide a brief statement of what the patient might expect as the prognosis of their condition.

• Include prognosis with and without treatment, and also the likelihood of a certain outcome occurring.

• For an example of the prognosis section on a patient information page, click here.

Possible complications

• In this section, you can list the common and most important (life-threatening) complications of the disease or it's treatment.

• For an example of the complications section in a patient information page, click here.

Prevention

• In this section, outline the factors that can prevent the onset of the disease, or prevent worsening of the disease.

• For an example of the prevention section of a patient information page, click here.

References

• Put the references for your information here.

• The National Library of Medicine is a good source to reference for patient information pages [3]