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Search the RCH, Kids health info and Clinical Practice Guidelines websites to look for similar content already written and for evidence or ‘current best practice’ to guide you. You can also contact support groups or other hospitals/agencies to share or co-write content.
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Always make sure you ask parents to tell you what they need to know BEFORE YOU START writing.
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The average reading level of adults in Australia is ‘Grade 5 Flesch-Kincaid’. Fact sheets need to be written as closely as possible to this level. This can be difficult to achieve but the
Flesch-Kincaid scale in Microsoft Word can help - aim for Grade 5-7.
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Use plain English - limit jargon and explain any medical or technical terms you need to use.
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Avoid acronyms and abbreviations wherever possible.
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Assume your reader has no previous knowledge of the topic.
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Use ‘you’ and ‘your child' as this is more personal to the reader .
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Write short blocks of text and short sentences. Use subheadings.
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Use diagrams and photos whenever you can. Make sure all photos have appropriate consent.
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Keep it short - if your fact sheet is more than 1,000 words consider splitting in to two or more.
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Consult with ALL CLINICAL GROUPS or departments relevant to this fact sheet - including pharmacy - before submitting your fact sheet.
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