Randomised trial of the effects of structuring clinic correspondence.
We performed a randomised controlled crossover trial of clinic letters. Structured letters were compared with conventional letters containing problem lists. There were 32 participants; 25 preferred the structured letter. Median rating and items identified were higher for the structured letter. Structured clinical correspondence with paragraph headings is strongly preferred and increases comprehension.
Melville
C
C
Dept of Postgraduate Medicine, Keele University, UK. mea02@keele.ac.uk
Hands
S
S
Jones
P
P
D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors