Patient information page template

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Charmaine Patel, M.D. [2]

Introduction to the Patient Information Page

  • The title of the page should be: Disease name (patient information). Only the first letter of the heading is capitalized.
  • Goal: of the patient information page is to provide a patient with a comprehensive description of the disease. It should be written at a 5th to 8th grade reading level, and if medical terminology is used, it should be explained.
  • Examples of patient information pages that are good references, are the pages on Chronic stable angina here, and Pericarditis here.
  • As with all microchapter pages, you need to link to the main page. At the top of the edit box put {{CMG}} and your name template (if you have contributed a significant amount to the page). Before this section create a link back to the main page by typing in the edit box For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Disease name|here]]. Bold this statement.
  • Follow the format, headings, and capitalizations of letters as outlined below in the template.
  • Create the page in the second person perspective eg "You should call your doctor if you experience....." or "You may experience symptoms such as...."
  • A good source for the patient information page is http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/.
  • You should use the patient information navigation template for your page, which can be obtained by clicking here.

Overview

  • This section should give a brief description of the disease, and have the name of the disease in the first sentence.
  • For an example of the overview section of a patient page, click here

What are the symptoms of (disease name)?

  • Here you can list the symptoms that the patient may notice. Remember that signs are different from symptoms.
  • For an example of the symptoms section in a patient information page, click here.

What causes (disease name)?

  • Here you can list the causes of the disease. Remember this is what causes the disease, not what the disease causes.
  • For an example of the causes section on a patient information page, click here.

Who is at highest risk?

  • Here you can list, or write in sentences, the most common risk factors for developing the disease.
  • This section can separated into modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors if appropriate.
  • For an example of a risk factors section on a patient information page, click here.

When to seek urgent medical care

  • This section should focus on the symptoms that may indicate impending life threatening situations, or significant worsening.
  • For an example of a section detailing this on a patient information page, click here

Diagnosis

  • In this section you can outline what the patient might expect to encounter as far as diagnostic studies.
  • List the types of studies with a brief description, as well as blood tests, urine tests, pertinent portions of the physical examination etc.
  • For an example of a diagnosis section on a patient information page, click here.

Treatment options

  • In this section you should outline the treatment options, including medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical interventions.
  • Advise the patient to always follow the treatment plan that their doctor has provided them.
  • For an example of a treatment section of a patient information page, click here.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)

  • In this section you should provide a brief statement of what the patient might expect as the prognosis of their condition.
  • Include prognosis with and without treatment, and also the likelihood of a certain outcome occurring.
  • For an example of the prognosis section on a patient information page, click here.

Possible complications

  • In this section, you can list the common and most important (life-threatening) complications of the disease or it's treatment.
  • For an example of the complications section in a patient information page, click here.

Prevention

  • In this section, outline the factors that can prevent the onset of the disease, or prevent worsening of the disease.
  • For an example of the prevention section of a patient information page, click here.

References

  • Put the references for your information here.
  • The National Library of Medicine is a good source to reference for patient information pages: http://www.nlm.nih.gov.

Things to Remember

  • Include a link back to the physician page at the top of the page.
  • Always put {{CMG}} at the top of every page.
  • Never take content directly from a source without checking copyright.
  • Place your patient page in a category, as listed below:
    • Category:Cardiology patient information
    • Category:Congenital disorders patient information
    • Category:Dermatology patient information
    • Category:Drug patient information
    • Category:Emergency medicine patient information
    • Category:Endocrinology patient information
    • Category:Gastroenterology patient information
    • Category:Genetic disorders patient information
    • Category:Gynecology patient information
    • Category:Hematology patient information
    • Category:Infectious disease patient information
    • Category:Immunology patient information
    • Category:Metabolic disorders patient information
    • Category:Neonatology patient information
    • Category:Neurology patient information
    • Category:Neurosurgery patient information
    • Category:Obstetrics patient information
    • Category:Oncology patient information
    • Category:Ophthalmology patient information
    • Category:Orthopedics patient information
    • Category:Otolaryngology patient information
    • Category:Pediatrics patient information
    • Category:Psychiatry patient information
    • Category:Pulmonary patient information
    • Category:Rheumatology patient information