How Patient Education Handouts Can Relieve The Pressure On Medical Facilities

By Jaclyn Hurley


Progress in the medical field is made so fast that hardly a day goes by without some new treatment, medicine or procedure being discovered. People generally live longer and doctors can now treat illnesses that used to be a virtual death sentence. However, too many people still become ill simply because they do not take basic precautions and many ill people do not follow the advice of their doctors. That is why patient education handouts are so important.

Preventing disease is one of the main aims of information brochures. Educational pamphlets can do much to keep people informed about issues that can lead to disease. These pamphlets can distribute warnings and information about the dangers of smoking and alcohol, for example. Other topics such as diet, exercise, safe sex and many others can also help to motivate people to change to a healthier lifestyle.

Another major benefit of educational pamphlets is that they can help people become more aware of their own bodies. An astonishing number of people suffer from distinct symptoms for years without realizing that they may be suffering from a serious disease. If people are made aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for, disease can be diagnosed earlier and treatment can be more effective.

Another way in which educational leaflets can be extremely valuable is in educating people about the importance of using medication correctly. Most medical practitioners will testify that a large percentage of their patients simply do not follow instructions, such as eating before taking medicine or taking medication at specific times. In this way they may be endangering their health and rendering the treatment less effective. Pamphlets can go a long way in detailing the dire consequences of abusing medication.

Most pamphlets, especially those issued by public health authorities are in a printed format. This makes sense because it is certainly no use to publish important information on the internet, for example, if a large percentage of the target group does not access to the internet. Printed material is easy to distribute and people are much more likely to read them and to even keep them.

Those responsible for compiling medical pamphlets should be careful to consider the intended target group. Many people will not understand complicated words and technical terms. In some cases it is best to use as many graphics as is possible. It is also a good idea to supply readers with references to material that can provide more detailed information on the topic covered in the pamphlet.

There can be no doubt that efforts at education the general public about health issues can lead to tangible rewards. Informed people can make informed decisions and although not everybody will heed the warnings and advice given to them, those few that actually take heed may change their life styles and even influence others to do likewise.

Pamphlets addressing health issues should be made widely available, not just at clinics and hospitals. Many members of the target group will not visit a clinic or a hospital. Libraries, municipal offices, banks, and even shopping centers should serve as part of the distribution system. A healthier population is, after all, a more productive population.




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