Writing: Health & Welfare
Unit 6 – Common Core Technologies
Introduction to Health Writing
Effective writing in healthcare and welfare requires clarity, precision, and professional tone. This unit covers essential writing skills for medical reports, health articles, and policy documents.
Formal Reports
Medical case studies
Research papers
Health Communication
Patient instructions
Public health campaigns
Technical Writing
Medical device manuals
Policy documents
1. Writing Medical Reports
Structure
- Title: Clear and specific
- Introduction: Context and purpose
- Case Presentation: Patient history
- Diagnosis: Medical findings
- Treatment Plan: Proposed actions
- Conclusion: Summary and recommendations
Language Features
• Passive voice: “The patient was administered…”
• Precise terminology: “Myocardial infarction” vs “heart attack”
• Objective tone: Avoid emotional language
• Abbreviations: Define first use (BMI: Body Mass Index)
Example Report Excerpt
Case Presentation: A 45-year-old male presented with acute abdominal pain localized to the right lower quadrant. Vital signs showed tachycardia (HR 112) and mild fever (38.1°C).
Diagnosis: Clinical examination and ultrasound confirmed acute appendicitis with no signs of perforation.
Treatment: The patient underwent laparoscopic appendectomy under general anesthesia…
2. Public Health Writing
Audience Adaptation
| Experts | Technical jargon acceptable |
| General Public | Plain language required |
| Patients | Empathic tone + simple terms |
Effective Techniques
• Chunking: Break information into small units
• Bullet points: For instructions/lists
• Visual aids: Icons, diagrams, charts
• Call-to-action: Clear next steps
Patient Instructions Example
Post-Operative Care
Do:
- Take prescribed antibiotics every 8 hours
- Keep the wound clean and dry
- Gently move your legs to prevent blood clots
Avoid:
- Heavy lifting for 2 weeks
- Submerging the wound in water
- Driving while taking pain medication
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: fever >38°C, severe pain, or bleeding.
3. Technical Documentation
Medical Device Manuals
Standard Sections:
- Safety warnings
- Setup instructions
- Operation procedures
- Troubleshooting
- Maintenance
Policy Documents
Key Elements:
- Purpose statement
- Scope of application
- Roles & responsibilities
- Procedural steps
- Compliance requirements
Medical Device Example
Blood Glucose Monitor – Quick Start
Step 1: Insert test strip into meter until it clicks
Step 2: Prick finger with lancet to obtain blood sample
Step 3: Touch strip edge to blood drop (0.5μL required)
Step 4: Read result in 5 seconds
⚠️ Warning: Use only with compatible test strips. Do not reuse lancets.
4. Writing Exercises
Exercise 1: Case Report
Write a 150-word medical report based on:
- Patient: 60F, smoker
- Symptoms: Persistent cough, weight loss
- Diagnosis: Stage II lung cancer
- Treatment: Chemotherapy planned
Exercise 2: Health Bulletin
Create a public health notice about:
Topic: Preventing diabetes through lifestyle changes
Format: 5 bullet points for general public
5. Writing Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Excellent (5) | Good (3) | Needs Work (1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | No medical errors | Minor inaccuracies | Significant errors |
| Clarity | Extremely clear | Generally clear | Confusing |
| Organization | Logical flow | Some disorganization | Poor structure |
| Audience Adaptation | Perfectly tailored | Some mismatch | Inappropriate |
| Professionalism | Appropriate tone | Minor lapses | Unprofessional |
Common Errors to Avoid
✗ Ambiguity: “Take some medication” → “Take 500mg paracetamol every 6 hours”
✗ Jargon misuse: Using “myocardial infarction” in patient brochure
✗ Passive overuse: “The procedure was performed” → “Dr. Smith performed the procedure”
✗ Inconsistent terminology: Alternating between “ER” and “Emergency Department”
