Introduction

Patient education materials are meant to guide care, but too often they do the opposite. Dense explanations of conditions, test results, or preventive steps overwhelm patients instead of helping them. The result is confusion, poor adherence, and declining trust.

The good news is that patient education professionals can change this. With a structured approach, it’s possible to simplify complex health topics without losing accuracy. This playbook lays out seven practical steps to help you make materials clear, trustworthy, and human.

Step 1: Spot the Barriers in Patient Education Materials

The first step is to notice where patients are likely to stumble. Many resources include medical terms like hyperlipidemia or myocardial infarction, acronyms such as COPD or HbA1c, and formal phrasing like “Initiate pharmacologic therapy as indicated.”

Each of these creates friction. A practical way forward is to run a 'jargon scan' and flag every term that a reader with 6th–8th grade literacy might find unfamiliar.

Step 2: Use Everyday Words Without Losing Precision

After spotting the barriers, replace or explain them. This doesn’t mean simplifying the science too much; it means speaking in language patients already use.

For example:

- Instead of hyperlipidemia, say high cholesterol.- Instead of myocardial infarction, say heart attack.- For terms without a direct swap, add a short definition. Example: “Your HbA1c is a lab test that shows your average blood sugar over three months.”Accuracy remains intact, but patients no longer need a medical dictionary to follow along.

Step 3: Break Down Complex Explanations Into Bite-Sized Ideas

Even familiar words can confuse patients if they’re crowded into long sentences or dense paragraphs.

Original:

“Uncontrolled diabetes may lead to complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy, which can impair nerve function, kidney health, and vision over time.

”Rewritten:

“Uncontrolled diabetes can damage your body in several ways:

• It can harm your nerves, causing pain or numbness.• It can weaken your kidneys, making it harder to filter waste.• It can affect your eyes, making it harder to see.”

Breaking content into single-idea sentences makes it easier to recall after a visit and less likely to be ignored.

Step 4: Speak Directly to the Patient

Patients engage more when the material addresses them personally. Using “you” and “your” instead of “patients” makes the advice feel relevant and doable.

For example:

- Instead of: “Patients are advised to reduce sodium intake.”- Try: “You can lower your blood pressure by eating less salt.”

This simple shift turns abstract recommendations into guidance patients can imagine applying in daily life.

Step 5: Simplify Numbers and Risks in Health Topics

Percentages and probabilities can be confusing. Natural frequencies are easier to understand.

For example:

- Instead of: “The lifetime risk is 12.5%.”- Try: “In the United States, about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.”

When sharing statistics, add context and action. Numbers alone can feel alarming. Numbers with guidance can empower: “Screening helps find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.”

Step 6: Layer in Helpful Explanations and Analogies

Sometimes even clear words need support. Analogies and short explanations make abstract ideas more tangible.

For example:

- Plaque in arteries: “Plaque is a fatty substance that builds up in your arteries, like grease clogging a pipe.”- Blood pressure: “High blood pressure means your blood is pushing too hard against your artery walls. Over time, that pressure can weaken and damage them.”

The key is to keep analogies and explanations short, familiar, and medically accurate.

Step 7: Test Your Patient Education Materials for Clarity

Even the clearest draft benefits from a check. Build review into your workflow:

1. Use readability tools to confirm the text is written at a 6th–8th grade level.
2. Ask a colleague outside the clinical team to read and flag confusing areas.
3. Do a simple 'would your friend or family understand this'? test with patients.

Like any clinical process, patient education improves with iteration. Review, refine, and retest regularly.

Before-and-After Example

Here’s an example drawn from diabetes education materials, rewritten with plain language principles.

Original:

“Patients with type 2 diabetes must achieve glycemic control through consistent monitoring of HbA1c and adherence to pharmacological interventions, along with lifestyle modifications.”

Rewritten:“If you have type 2 diabetes, keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range is important. That means checking your blood sugar regularly and getting an HbA1c test every few months. Healthy eating, being active, and medicine can all help you manage your diabetes.”

This rewrite keeps all the important details — regular blood sugar checks, HbA1c tests, lifestyle changes, and medicine — but frames them in language that patients can immediately act on. It’s precise and clear, not oversimplified.

Why P.L.A.I.N. Language Improves Patient Education Outcomes

• P — Patient-centered: Materials speak directly to the patient, building connection.
• L — Lower errors: Clear instructions reduce mistakes in self-care and medication use.
• A — Adherence: Patients are more likely to follow guidance when it’s understandable.
• I — Increased trust: Simple, consistent language signals honesty and credibility.
• N — Navigable: Easy-to-scan content helps patients recall and apply information later.

Plain language isn’t just about words; it directly shapes patient outcomes.

Plain language is not oversimplifying. It’s about making information accurate, clear, and actionable for the people who need it most. By applying these seven steps, you can transform complex topics into education that empowers patients instead of overwhelming them.

Next steps for patient education professionals:

- Audit your current materials using this playbook.- Test drafts with patients for clarity.

- Commit to a readability goal of 6th–8th grade.

- Refresh content regularly to keep it accurate and consistent.

When patients understand, they act. And when they act, outcomes improve.If your team is ready to transform patient education materials into clear, accurate, and trustworthy resources, we can help you make it happen.