OBJECTIVES: Describe the methodology used to produce a patient leaflet on care of the mouth after radiotherapy. DESIGN: Prospective study to design a patient information leaflet. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Patients undergoing radiotherapy for oral cancer. INTERVENTION: After a review of the relevant literature, a patient questionnaire was produced. This was then completed by patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment and gave an indication of the problems being encountered. Healthcare professionals were surveyed for their views. A leaflet was then produced according to published guidelines. It was taken back to another group of patients and a further version produced after input from a health promotion group. RESULTS: A leaflet was produced after wide consultation and survey. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable effort must to be put into the production to patient information leaflet. It must be discussed with patients in the target group if it is to be sensitive, understood and find acceptance among its users.
OBJECTIVES: Describe the methodology used to produce a patient leaflet on care of the mouth after radiotherapy. DESIGN: Prospective study to design a patient information leaflet. SETTING AND SUBJECTS:Patients undergoing radiotherapy for oral cancer. INTERVENTION: After a review of the relevant literature, a patient questionnaire was produced. This was then completed by patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment and gave an indication of the problems being encountered. Healthcare professionals were surveyed for their views. A leaflet was then produced according to published guidelines. It was taken back to another group of patients and a further version produced after input from a health promotion group. RESULTS: A leaflet was produced after wide consultation and survey. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable effort must to be put into the production to patient information leaflet. It must be discussed with patients in the target group if it is to be sensitive, understood and find acceptance among its users.