The write stuff. Simple guidelines can help you write and design effective patient education materials.

Most of the time and energy that go into patient education focus on the brief encounter between a doctor and patient in the physician's office. Although face-to-face interaction is indispensable in educating patients about their conditions, it also poses many problems. The stressful nature of the situation may cause patients to forget to ask questions or forget what they are told, and they may not get enough information to satisfy their needs and curiosities.