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Patient Partnering

Communicate in Plain Language

Email Template To Invite Patients and Caregivers to Share Their Stories

Use this template to engage patients and their caregivers to share their stories with your organization as part of health reporting, staff education, or other purposes.

Download email template

Source: Health Quality Ontario


Thank You Letter Template for Patients and Caregivers Who Shared Their Story

Use this template as part of the consent process, and to secure final sign off to responsibly use patient and caregiver stories in your organization’s reporting or activities.

Download email template

Source: Health Quality Ontario


Email Template for Outreach to Community Organizations

Use this tool to engage with local community organizations, businesses, residents’ associations and social service agencies who can provide assistance in recruiting people to be part of your Patient and Family Advisory Council.

Download email template for outreach to community organizations

Source: Health Quality Ontario


Terms of Reference Template

Learn how to clearly define sections of a Terms of Reference, the shared expectations outlined for members of a Patient and Family Advisory Council.

Download the terms of reference template

Source: Health Quality Ontario


Orienting Patient and Caregiver Advisors on Health Care Acronyms

Share this list of acronyms and their meanings with the advisors you work with. Encourage them to use it to support their engagement activities.

Download the list of common health care acronyms and their meanings

Source: Health Quality Ontario


Communicating Clearly with Patient and Caregiver Advisors

Use this best practice checklist to learn key considerations and strategies for communicating with patients and caregivers in ways they understand.

Download the best practice checklist

Source: Health Quality Ontario


Plain Language Tools and Resources

Use the collection of tools and tips below to help you choose clear, concise and actionable language when writing to patient and caregiver advisors:

Learn more about plain language

Source: "About Plain Language" from the Plain Language Association International

Read developing health materials

Source: “Developing Health Materials” from the Health Literacy Studies program, Harvard School of Public Health

Learn more about health literacy

Source: “Health Literacy” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Learn more about health literacy

Source: “Health Literacy” (see especially “External Resources: Canadian”) from the Canadian Public Health Association

Learn more about Everyday Words for Public Health Communication

Source: « Everyday Words for Public Health Communication » du Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

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Patients, families and the public are central to improving health quality.


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