NR 705 Week 1 Article – Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective

NR 705 Week 1 Article – Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective

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Chamberlain University

NR-705: DNP Project & Practicum II

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Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective

The Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective is a health literacy guide developed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This toolkit consists of 11 distinct parts that offer practical approaches to improve the clarity, usability, and cultural appropriateness of written communication. It aims to ensure that health-related information is accessible, easily understood, and actionable by diverse audiences. The toolkit addresses multiple aspects of communication, including writing strategies, design principles, audience needs, and feedback integration.

Toolkit Structure

The toolkit is organized into 11 sections, each focusing on different strategies for developing and refining written communication. These parts are summarized in the table below:

Table 1

Toolkit Structure and Focus

How to View the Toolkit

Parts 1–3 and 7–11 are available as single documents, while Parts 4–6 are more detailed and divided into multiple chapters. Users may access the toolkit by navigating through the Toolkit Table of Contents or by selecting a specific part from the navigation bar. This structure allows for targeted use, depending on whether a person seeks general principles or detailed, step-by-step instructions.

What do we mean by “written material”?

“Written material” refers to diverse communication tools designed for education or information sharing. These materials may include both print and instructional resources.

Examples of Written Materials

• Print formats: brochures, pamphlets, booklets, flyers, fact sheets, posters, bookmarks, postcards, and questionnaires.

• Instructional resources: forms, comparison charts, and instruction sheets.

It is important to recognize that reading printed content differs significantly from digital formats. While this toolkit primarily emphasizes print, Part 8 briefly addresses considerations for website-based materials.

What audiences are the Toolkit guidelines geared toward?

The toolkit is primarily intended for individuals connected to Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It also benefits those assisting these populations.

Key Audiences Include:

• Family members and caregivers

• Outreach workers and community organizers

• Agency and program staff

• Healthcare providers

Although designed with CMS-related audiences in mind, the toolkit applies universal principles of clear health communication, making it relevant for many populations and contexts.

Are the Toolkit guidelines mandatory?

No, the toolkit is not a mandatory requirement. Instead, it serves as a voluntary guide to support clarity and effectiveness in communication. Users are encouraged to adopt, adapt, and apply the recommendations according to the specific needs of their audience. The flexibility of the guidelines ensures that organizations can tailor communication strategies while maintaining accessibility and readability.

Can I save, print, reproduce, or share this Toolkit?

Yes, the toolkit is freely available for download, printing, or reproduction for both professional and personal use. A full set of downloadable files has been made available for ease of access.

However, users should keep in mind the following:

1. Some examples within the toolkit come from copyrighted or published materials.

2. While many items are in the public domain, others require publisher permission before reuse.

3. Individuals wishing to use text, images, or illustrations should seek proper authorization from the copyright holder.

References

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2012). Toolkit for making written material clear and effective. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/WrittenMaterialsToolkit

NR 705 Week 1 Article – Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective

National Institutes of Health. (2021). Clear communication: An NIH health literacy initiative. https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication