Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.1
2
3 Written Communication Vital to health care delivery Many kinds of documents Ability to write clearly and correctly is a mark of professionalism Provide important links between workers and facilities
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.4 Components of Good Writing Logical organization Attention to detail Correct spelling, grammar, and format Must be complete and accurate Organizing content
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.5 Preparing to Write Determine purpose Generate ideas for content Consider your audience Organize content
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.6 Starting to Write Create a formal outline Create an informal outline Draw a diagram
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.7 Spell Your Way to Success General English dictionary Medical dictionaries Word books for health care specialties Online dictionaries Spell-checkers Pharmaceutical reference guides
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.8 Spelling Tips Learn major spelling rules Memorize words that are look-alikes Review tricky words regularly Set weekly goals
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.9 Grammar at a Glance Capitalization Punctuation Writing numbers correctly Writing titles correctly
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.10 Business Letters Types of business letters Using form letters Writing effective letters
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.11 Business Letter Formats Full block Block Modified block Preparing letters for mailing
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.12 Memos To share information within an organization Write clearly and concisely Easy to understand Must have value to recipient Avoid excess memos
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.13 Meeting Agendas Describe reason for meeting Date and location Start and end times Topics to be discussed What attendees should bring, if applicable Guest speaker(s), if applicable
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.14 Minutes of Meetings Documentation of meetings Inform those who did not attend Create a record of facility transactions Serve as a guide for next meeting agenda Provide resource for future reference Items commonly included
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.15 Patient Education Materials Important part of effective patient education Examples of types of materials How to prepare Things to consider
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.16 Confidentiality of Written Materials Inaccessible to unauthorized individuals Respect confidentiality at all times Any document with the patient’s name on it is confidential
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.17 Proofreading Written Work All written work should be proofread Verify content Check organization Read aloud Check spelling by reading backwards Use spell- and grammar-checkers
Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.18 Proofreading Print out documents –Don’t proofread on computer screen If unsure, check with qualified person Have written work checked as required by your facility