About this resource
Reports are often written for other professionals. This one-page summary template gives clients and families a plain-language version: why we met, what we found, what it means, what we recommend and what happens next.
Purpose
To make sure clients can understand and use reports about them.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Allied health and multidisciplinary teams. Also relevant for speech pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists.
Client or participant group: Allied health practitioners writing reports.
Practice setting: Any service providing reports to clients and families.
Suggested uses
- Assessment reports
- Funding reports
- School reports
- Discharge summaries
Instructions for practitioners
- Write in plain language at about a year 7 reading level.
- Use short sentences and headings.
- Check accuracy against the full report.
- Offer to go through it with the client.
Accessibility considerations
Offer translations and Easy Read versions.
Scope and limitations
A template. The full report remains the professional record.
Research basis
Clear, plain-language information and checking understanding (teach-back) improve understanding, safety and quality of care.
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. (2014). Health literacy: Taking action to improve safety and quality. ACSQHC. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/health-literacy-taking-action-improve-safety-and-quality
- Australian Government. Style Manual: Plain language and word choice. https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/writing-and-designing-content/clear-language-and-writing-style/plain-language-and-word-choice
- Talevski, J., Wong Shee, A., Rasmussen, B., Kemp, G., & Beauchamp, A. (2020). Teach-back: A systematic review of implementation and impacts. PLOS ONE, 15(4), e0231350. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231350
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
