Clinical trials explained: Why health literacy matters...
Most people don’t make important decisions on a whim. They tend to consider the information, weighing up the pros and cons before making a choice.
This is why there is sometimes a barrier to people agreeing to join a clinical trial; they don't fully understand what is required of them, and not having easy access to all information can mean decision making is difficult. But there are ways in which we can support them to make an informed choice about whether to take part in a clinical trial.
This is where health literacy plays a vital role. It helps ensure that patients understand the information they have been given — by communicating complex language plainly and simply — and empowers them to make decisions about their own healthcare.
Health literacy is not just about plain language, though. Simple visuals play an important role in improving health literacy when used correctly, and they can be particularly useful for people with reading difficulties.
At Cuttsy+Cuttsy, we want clinical trial materials to be accessible to everyone. Here are some of the things we always keep in mind to ensure that everything we create is health literate and fit for purpose.
The health literacy principles that we carry through all our clinical trial work help to make information more accessible and less overwhelming for people. We know that it can be a difficult time for patients, but understanding what their participation in a clinical trial involves and truly feeling comfortable with the information they receive can also help them to retain a sense of control.
So, if you’d like to know more about how health literacy principles can improve the patient experience in your clinical trial work, let’s talk.
You can read all our latest clinical trials explained blogs here.
