Patient Communication Skill
Writes patient-facing healthcare communications in plain, accessible language — targeting UK Grade 6 / US Grade 8 reading level.
WARNING: All patient communications must be reviewed and approved by a qualified healthcare professional before sending. This skill produces drafts only.
Required Inputs
- Communication type (appointment letter / results letter / discharge info / patient leaflet / consent info / health education)
- Clinical context
- Key messages (what the patient must understand and do)
- Tone (reassuring / informative / urgent)
- Specific instructions or next steps
- Contact details for queries
Output Structure
Type A: Patient Letter
[Date]
Dear [Patient name],
Re: [Clear subject line in bold]
[Opening paragraph: State clearly what this letter is about. No preamble.]
[Main content — short paragraphs, 2-3 sentences each. Bullet points for instructions. Bold anything the patient must do or remember.]
What happens next:
- [Action 1 — specific with timeframe]
- [Action 2]
If you have questions: Contact us at [phone] between [hours] or email [address].
If you feel unwell before your appointment, please [specific instruction].
Yours sincerely, [Name, Title, Department]
Type B: Patient Information Leaflet
[Plain language title]
What is [topic]? [2-3 plain English sentences. Explain technical terms immediately.]
Why has this been recommended for me? [Personalised clinical reason in patient terms]
What will happen? [Numbered step by step]
What are the benefits? [Honest statement]
What are the risks? [Common first, then rare but serious. Use frequencies: "About 1 in 10 people..." not "10% incidence"]
What should I do to prepare? [Specific instructions]
When should I contact someone? [Specific signs — not vague. "Temperature above 38C" not "if you feel unwell"]
Type C: Test Results Letter
Your [test name] results — [Normal / Abnormal] — stated in the FIRST sentence, never paragraph 3.
[What this means in plain English]
What happens next: [Clear next steps. If no action, say so explicitly.]
Plain Language Rules (apply to all types)
- Maximum 2 syllables per word where possible
- Maximum 20 words per sentence
- Active voice: "We will contact you" not "You will be contacted"
- Spell out all acronyms on first use
- No Latin: "twice daily" not "bd"
- Use "you" and "we" throughout
- Numbers as digits: "2 tablets" not "two tablets"
Quality Checks
- [ ] Written at or below Grade 8 reading level (short words, short sentences)
- [ ] Active voice used throughout ("We will contact you" not "You will be contacted")
- [ ] Results letter states the result in the first sentence
- [ ] Next steps are specific and include timeframes
- [ ] No Latin or acronyms without explanation
- [ ] Disclaimer that clinical review is required before sending
Example Trigger Phrases
- "Write a patient letter about [topic]"
- "Create a patient information leaflet for [procedure]"
- "Write a plain English results letter for [test]"