Need for appropriate written information for patients, with particular reference to head and neck cancer.

Patients need and want written information. There is evidence that giving comprehensible information increases overall satisfaction with the care given by healthcare professionals. This paper provides a review of the literature on patients' need for appropriate information, with particular reference to head and neck cancer, based on searches of electronic databases. Head and neck cancers are among the least common cancers in the UK but these patients have very specific and great needs. Written information is a cost-effective intervention that complements verbal advice given by healthcare professionals. Evidence suggests that patient information leaflets are poor and are in language that is difficult for the public to understand. Considerable time, effort and user involvement are required to produce acceptable and appropriate information leaflets for patients.