Why words matter: editing patient materials for clinical trials

When it comes to recruiting patients for clinical trials, creating patient materials is a key component of the process. But here’s the thing — they need to do more than just share information. They need to connect with patients. Everyone processes information in their own way, and it can be overwhelming when dealing with a difficult diagnosis. Presenting information in a simple, clear and empathetic way can help patients feel understood and supported. And that’s where good editing comes in. Editing isn’t just about checking for typos and grammatical errors. By focusing on how patient materials are written and presented, editors can help make things clearer, friendlier and easier to follow. Let's break it down.

Keeping it clear and simple

Clarity is essential. Imagine being handed an information document that refers to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, bad cholesterol, LDL-C and good cholesterol — confusing, right? By stripping away the clutter and ensuring consistent terminology with clearly defined terms and abbreviations, editors ensure that patient materials tell patients exactly what they need to know.

Setting the right tone

You know that feeling when you read something and it just clicks? That’s tone at work. Patient materials should strike the right balance — approachable enough to connect, but still professional enough to build trust. For example, have a look at these two simple headline sentences:

• Helping doctors and healthcare teams provide the best possible treatment to patients
• Helping doctors and healthcare teams give their patients the best possible care

Both essentially mean the same thing, but there are subtle differences in the emphasis and tone:

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Ensuring the correct tone for the target audience is consistent throughout the document directly impacts how it’s received. A warm tone reassures, while a professional one builds credibility. That mix is vital!

Making it easy to read

Not everyone reads at the same level, so keeping patient materials simple and easy to understand is key. Medical writers are great at creating the correct level for specific audiences, so why bring in editors? It’s simple — editors are the final checkpoint in the creative process. Editors will be checking the text for short sentences that use simple, neutral language; updating any written numbers to figures; and ensuring consistent use of present tense throughout the document. It’s basically a general health literacy check on the language to ensure that it’s suitable for the intended audience.

Honouring cultural diversity

Words matter. They carry weight, and bad choices can really alienate someone — even if it’s unintentional. That’s where editing steps in, adding a layer of inclusivity by catching anything that might feel culturally insensitive. That could mean swapping out idioms, adjusting imagery, or rethinking examples to feel more inclusive. At the end of the day, it’s about making every patient feel seen and respected.

By focusing on clarity, tone, readability and inclusivity, editing doesn’t just fix typos — it can make patient materials better. It builds trust, improves understanding and encourages engagement. And that’s a win for everybody involved in clinical trials.

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Further reading

If you would like to explore any of the topics covered here in more detail, here is a suggested reading list:

NHS Education for Scotland/The Health Literacy Place. Why health literacy. Accessed February 2025.

NHS England. Health literacy. Accessed February 2025.

Patient Information Forum. Using plain language in health information – a quick guide. Accessed February 2025.

Plain English Campaign. How to write medical information in plain English. Accessed February 2025.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plain language materials & resources. Accessed February 2025.

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