Creating a patient education tool.

Developing a patient education tool based on low literacy levels, behavioral theories, role modeling, and The Joint Commission's standards was the primary objective of this project. The initial goal was merely to develop a population-appropriate patient education tool. This led to a process whereby significant knowledge was gained by all to enrich overall professional development. An interdisciplinary team developed a low-literacy, self-management book for patients who had suffered a stroke. Team experts were responsible for the development of specific subject matter. Editing addressed the message, readability, typeface and font size, and charts and illustrations. Collaboration with the National Stroke Association guided the didactic pedagogical content presented. A well-known cartoonist who was a U.S. military veteran was willing to work with the team to develop the illustrations. Copyright 2009, SLACK Incorporated.