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Readability of CAMHS clinical letters
Author(s) -
Bennett Daniel M.,
Drane Emma,
Gilchrist Anne
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
child and adolescent mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1475-3588
pISSN - 1475-357X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2011.00624.x
Subject(s) - readability , reading (process) , computer science , clinical practice , word (group theory) , psychology , medicine , linguistics , programming language , family medicine , philosophy
Background: Sending clinical letters to patients is common practice in CAMHS. Ease of reading and understanding is important for patients. Readability formulae are feasible and quick ways to assess this. Method: Clinical letters sent to patients were analysed for readability and whether they reached a preset threshold. Factors influencing readability were investigated. Results: Most letters were less easily readable than is appropriate. Letters written directly to patients were more readable than copied letters. Conclusions: Patients sometimes receive letters that are unlikely to be easily readable. Word processing packages contain readability formulae that could be used to check and improve readability of letters.