Tools for Health Literacy

Plain-Language Checklist for Creating and Reviewing Your Materials

Use this 2-page checklist when creating or reviewing materials.

Guidelines to Effective Print Communication

New to health literacy and plain-language writing? Start here: A Guide to Creating and Evaluating Patient Materials: Guidelines for Effective Print Communication.
MaineHealth developed these guidelines to help health professionals communicate clearly and consistently with patients and families. Call 1-866-609-5183 to request a copy of the booklet.

In this guide, you'll find:

Key facts about health literacy
Developing patient education materials: a step-by-step approach
Checklist to develop and evaluate patient education materials
Overview of readability

Plain Language Thesaurus

This tool from the CDC Nation Center for Health Marketing lists plain language alternatives for hundreds of common medical terms.

Health Literacy Tool Kit

This tool kit is designed to take a systematic approach towards reducing confusion around medical care and increase health outcomes through clear communication.

Teach-back Learning Module

This interactive teach-back learning module helps providers learn how to use the teach-back method with patients to confirm understanding.

Physician Experience about Learning Teach-back

The teach-back method is a way of checking understanding by asking patients to state in their own words. Listen to how this doctor incorporated the teaching method with his patients.

Latest News

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Memorial Hospital seeks input from patients and family members

The patient family advisory council serves as a conduit between the public and Memorial Hospital, engaging patients and family members in discussion about ways to improve the patient experience.

Thank you! More than $179 million raised

MMC Surpasses Philanthropic Fundraising Goal

The NEXT 150 | Campaign for Maine Medical Center has raised $179 million in designated funds for MMC’s facilities, education and innovation needs.

Galentines Day illustration showing a group of diverse women

Franklin Community Health Network Hosting a Galentines Day Event on February 9

The come-and-go festivities will include demonstrations by women-owned businesses, chair massages, door prizes, refreshments, and women’s health information on breast care, nutrition, mental health, physical therapy, heart health and much more!

Family gift will put 56 more nurses to work caring for patients in Maine

Cindy and Cuyler Morris, along with Cindy’s father, Paul Baszucki, have pledged $300,000 to MaineHealth to support additional faculty for training nurses through the Maine Community College System.