Language in discharge advice

Prompt: Collect publicly available discharge‑information leaflets (PDFs) for conditions like minor head injury or chest pain from ED/urgent care websites, then analyse readability, use of metaphors, and directness of safety‑netting advice (“come back if…”).

Task Overview

This task asks you to explore real NHS patient‑information leaflets used when patients are discharged from Emergency Departments. You can examine how clearly they communicate risk, safety instructions, and follow‑up advice — especially for people with different literacy levels.

You will focus on:

- Readability (sentence length, jargon, clarity)
- Metaphors/analogies (e.g., explaining concussion, inflammation, strain)
- Safety‑netting advice (how direct or indirect the “return if…” statements are)

You’ll use real ED leaflets to ground your analysis in authentic health communication.

To get you started

1. Choose and skim 2–4 leaflets

Choose one head‑injury leaflet and one chest‑pain leaflet (or more if you want variety). You may also choose to compare the same type of injury as well and compare between different hospital documentation.

Minor Head Injury / Concussion

Chest Pain / Chest Wall Injury

2. Analyse Readability

Look for:

Short vs. long sentences
Medical jargon (e.g., “photophobia,” “troponin,” “neurological deficit”)
Plain‑language alternatives or lack of them
Bullet points vs. large paragraphs
Whether explanations feel accessible for someone with low literacy

Ask yourself:

Does the leaflet speak to the patient directly (“you should…”)?
Are instructions clear and actionable?
Could someone with limited English understand this?

3. Look for Metaphors, Analogies, or Image‑Based Explanations

Examples might include:

Concussion described as “the brain being shaken”
Chest‑wall injury explained as “like a bruised muscle”
Blood vessel issues explained with pipe metaphors

Some leaflets use none — which is equally important to note.

4. Evaluate Safety‑Netting Advice (“come back if…” statements)

Look for:

Directness: “Return to A&E immediately if you develop vomiting, worsening headache…”
Strength of instruction: “should,” “must,” “seek urgent help,” “call 999”
Lists of “red‑flag” symptoms
Clear thresholds for action (“if symptoms last more than two weeks…”)

Consider:

Are danger signs obvious?
Is urgency communicated well?
Are instructions too vague or overly cautious?

5. Compare Leaflets

Write a short comparison:

Which leaflet is clearer?
Which uses more patient‑friendly language?
Which offers the most effective safety‑netting guidance?
Which uses metaphors or examples best?

6. Produce a Short Summary

End with a brief reflection on:

How well ED discharge leaflets communicate risk
What could be improved (simpler language, better layout, visuals, more examples, clearer urgency)