PiF Guide to Appraising Health Information
This 2010 guide to appraising health information is about assessing the quality of information, and the processes used to develop it. The guide is for people and organisations that produce health information for patients and the public. It can be used by any size of organisation, in any sector.
The guide is split into a number of chapters that provide a comprehensive look at the subject.
Chapter One puts quality and appraisal into context, exploring why quality is important and what it means in the world of consumer health information. There is information about the benefits of high quality information, for both users and producers, and some of the background that explains why quality has become a more prominent issue. Finally there is a look at general methods of appraisal.
Chapter Two explores the appraisal of the processes used to develop consumer health information. This includes a broad look at tools that assess information development processes, the requirements of appraisal in the NHS and the Information Standard scheme that operates in England.
Chapter Three is about the tools available to information producers to help them appraise individual information resources. This includes tools for printed and online information, award schemes, guidelines and readability tools.
Chapter Four looks at appraisal for information users and explores the challenges of finding quality information, including searching the Internet. Tools for users are discussed, as are the pros and cons of using them.
Finally, there are four appendices that contain information on background subjects such as policy, the development of appraisal and other important schemes.
We are keen to hear what you think of the guide and to learn from you about any areas that we may not have covered. You can click through to a feedback form at the end of the guide to feedback your comments to us, or you can go straight to the form on the next web page.
To download the Guide click here.
Printed copies of the guide are available to buy. PiF members receive a discounted rate. If you would like to order printed copies of the guide, click here to download an order form.
We also welcome your comments and suggestions about PiF guides on our feedback form.
PiF Guide to Producing health information for children and young people
PiF’s Guide to producing information for children and young people is a comprehensive and practical look at the subject of information for children and young people, why it is needed, how to involve children and how to produce high quality resources.
PiF members and others have contributed case studies about their work, so you can read about developing leaflets, web sites and graphic novels, you can see some examples of good practice and learn from others experiences of involving children and young people in the creation of information. It brings together the experience of health information providers in the NHS, voluntary and private sectors. The guide will be useful for anyone directly involved in producing information for children and young people, including those working in patient experience and involvement, health information specialists, PALS, communication and clinical governance staff in the NHS and information providers in the voluntary sector.
Chapter one puts information for children and young people into context, exploring why information for this audience is needed and why it is important and the policy drivers influencing the provision of information.
Chapter two looks at involving children and young people in the development of information about health, exploring why it is important and how to go about it. There are case studies and examples from a range of information producers which set out the different methods of involvement, discuss the practicalities and show how to make involvement meaningful.
Chapter three is about communicating with children and young people – assessing when, what and how to give information and how to involve parents and carers in discussions about health, illness and treatment.
Chapter four looks at producing information materials for children and young people, looking at the needs of different audiences and age groups, the pros and cons of using different formats and information for particular circumstances, such as long term conditions, medicines and research.
Finally, there is a chapter listing useful resources, organisation, tools and contacts.
Click here to download a copy of the guide.
Printed copies are available for a fee - PIF members receive a discounted rate. Click here to download an order form.
We also welcome your comments and suggestions about PiF guides on our feedback form.
We would like to say a huge 'Thank you' to NHS Choices, who funded the guide and the 2009 seminar on the same subject.
Page last edited: 02 November 2011
