Lay Summary Writing

[Jeanette Smith]

Does anyone know of any courses (free or ultra-cheap) or websites about training, best practices, groups or resources on how to write lay summaries?

[Annette McKinnon]

I found something on the CAPA (Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance) website that may help point in the right direction.

http://arthritispatient.ca/plain-language-research-summary-studying-the-immune-and-genetic-mechanisms-of-jia-and-ra-dr-daniela-ardelan/?hilite='lay','summary'

Annette

[Carolyn Canfield]

Hi Jeanette, Cochrane is a long-standing leader in setting standards on involvement of patients, caregivers and health system clients. Their plain language writing is consistently THE BEST I’ve seen anywhere. It’s UK based, but many Cochrane groups are international, as well. Canada has conducted Cochrane reviews. Their is a patient committee and paid (I think) coordinator that help the organization maintain its patient awareness and high standards for inclusion integrity.

[Jeanette Smith]

Thank you! when I went there, I saw the words "plain language" and that (and Google) took me to Cochrane dot org. I haven't had a chance to look at it, but have you heard anything about them - good or bad?

[Jeanette Smith]

Thanks Carolyn. I was born and raised in Scotland, so Brit-speak is no problem for me lol I just didn't want to delve too deep and get too excited if it was just another vehicle for a drug company or a sub-standard journal - hard to tell these days.

[Carolyn Canfield]

Good to be cautious, I quite agree! There are plenty of examples of the patient-partnership version of "astro-turf" that I got to know as vexatious for genuine grassroots environmental groups decades ago. "Follow the money" is usually a good rule, but many websites have no such disclosure. Best wishes!

Another great UK-originated group is the James Lind Alliance that strives to identify research priorities set by stakeholders INCLUDING authentic patient and caregiver voices. Their plain language efforts are admirable.

A third group here in Canada is the McMaster Health Forum (mcmasterforum.org) that has decades of experience now in building "citizen briefs" as advance evidence background for "ordinary" citizens who wish to contribute to better healthcare and social services. Take a look at the citizen briefs from the past [HERE](https://www.mcmasterforum.org/find-evidence/products?ProductTypes=Citizen brief;).

Those are all examples of good use of plain language. But I think you are looking for some guidelines? Here is a start...

Try exploring this terrific website addressing health literacy from the NHS in England.
http://www.healthliteracyplace.org.uk/tools-and-techniques/techniques/use-simple-language/

Here is a short list of plain language tools for healthcare from the USA.
https://www.plainlanguage.gov/resources/content-types/healthcare/
Here is a bibliography of plain language resource materials from the USA.
https://www.imiaweb.org/uploads/docs/HLI_Resources_Guide.pdf

Here is a short list of tools recommended by the US Centre for Disease Control.
https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/developmaterials/plainlanguage.html
Here is a Tip Sheet from Australia you might find useful. [www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/ethics/Writing Tips.pdf](https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/ethics/Writing Tips.pdf)