Implementation of an organisational wide approach to improving policy documents using plain language: a case study
Kelly Lambert
A , Ceinwen Johnstone B , Lucia Vellar B and Natalie Berg B *
A School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Building 41.319C, Northfields Avenue, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
B Clinical Governance Unit, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Level 1, 66–71 King Street, Warrawong, NSW 2522, Australia.
Australian Health Review 46(3) 361-366 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH21297
Submitted: 29 August 2021 Accepted: 10 February 2022 Published: 28 April 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.
Abstract
The impact of poorly written policies in healthcare is enormous, with the potential for significant economic and personal costs. Our local health district embarked on a major revision of policy document development that sought to reframe the process of policy development using health literacy principles. This included mandatory policy development changes that require policy to be written in plain language, at a readability level of grade 10–12. Staff training in plain language writing was undertaken. Consumer and staff feedback was incorporated in policy development. Four elements were critical to this process: effective leadership, effective instruction, practical support, and evidence-driven decisions. Staff responses to the revised processes were overwhelmingly positive and resulted in improved policy readability. The involvement of consumers in policy development has evolved. From this study, we have learned how to improve the governance of policy documents. It is possible for health literacy principles to be embedded in the development and revision of these documents.
Keywords: consumers, health literacy, health literate organisation, organisational health literacy, plain language, policy, quality, readability, safety.
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