Plain Language Assessment and Editing
What is plain language assessment?
Patient and consumer health materials are often difficult for people to read and understand. Assessing written materials is a first step in ensuring materials are clear and effective, and often draws attention to content in need of plain language editing. Assessment can include:
- Readability assessments that describe the level of difficulty of the material
- Formal evaluation of how easy the content is to understand and act upon
How does UAMS CHL assess health materials?
Depending on the assessment you choose our team of experts:
- Prepares your document
- Selects and uses appropriately validated tools to measure readability, understandability, and actionability
- Provides you with a summary which may include:
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- Level of reading difficulty
- Scores from other validated assessment tools
- A list of recommendations to improve your content
What is plain language editing?
Plain language editing refers to the use of evidence-based practices to craft health content that is likely to be understood the first time it is read.
Developers of health materials benefit from providing consumer information that:
- Is easy to access, understand, and act upon
- Encourages engagement in one’s health
- Results in better health outcomes
How does UAMS CHL edit health information to incorporate plain language best practices?
After formally assessing your materials, our team of experts collaboratively edits each project, toward a difficulty level of “easy to read” (6th grade or less). Further improvements result in content that is organized, understandable, and actionable for your readers.
Why choose UAMS CHL for assessment and plain language editing?
Our expert team applies nuanced plain language and numeracy writing techniques to improve a variety of patient- and public-facing health content for clients. Assessments and plain language editing services are available in English and Spanish.
Our editorial team includes experts in:
- Health communication
- Health education
- Patient education
- Spanish language interpretation and translation
- Community health
How can I get my health-related documents assessed and edited?
- Visit PlainPages.org
- Create a free account
- Upload your health-related content (including forms, surveys, consents, presentations, videos, e-learning modules, other patient- and public-facing communication)
We will provide you with a quote, and you may pay online. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Alternative payment arrangements can be made (e.g., purchase orders). Larger projects will require a service contract.
For questions or more information, you may contact us by emailing healthliteracy@uams.edu or calling 501-686-2595.
Examples of our work
- What You Need to Know About Hemodialysis Vascular Access:
- About the Fetal Diagnosis and Management Program
Customer Testimonials
“As an organization dedicated to improving clinical outcomes, Exactech was eager to work with the UAMS Center for Health Literacy in reviewing and improving our educational literature to meet the needs of patients. The UAMS CHL was willing to talk through challenges and opportunities we have to improve the legibility of our patient-focused collateral. Their passion for improving health literacy is evident in all that they do, and we look forward to continuing to utilize their plain language program as a resource in developing new educational materials.”
Allison Downey, APR
Marketing Communications Manager,
Patient Education and Practice Marketing
Exactech, Inc. Gainesville, FL
“The plain language services offered by the UAMS Center for Health Literacy have greatly improved our patient education materials for chronic kidney disease. Patients that received the materials expressed feelings of hope and empowerment to make their own decisions and wished they had been educated earlier.”
Andrea Easom, APRN
Clinical Instructor and Program Lead
Department of Nephrology