Factsheet template –

Kids Health Info, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne

Title of fact sheet (ie Diabetes and exercise)

Write title according to A–Z listing priority (i.e. Diabetes and exercise not Exercise and diabetes).

Summary paragraph

A 25–50 word summary containing the main points of the article. The summary should be around three sentences and include the following information:

  • Short and simple definition of the topic (e.g. ‘People with diabetes need to…’)
  • A further clarifying statement (e.g. an outline of symptoms, who is affected, health effects etc)
  • End statement with some finishing information (e.g. cure, how to cope with etc)

When people read on the web they often scan the first paragraph to decide if the article is relevant to them. So this needs to grab people’s attention and summarise the whole article. Information can, and should, be repeated in more detail further down. It is usually easiest to write this summary after writing the article. It often contains the same info as in the bullet pointed ‘Key points to remember’ at the end of the article.

IMPORTANT: You can change or remove most of the following subheadings depending on your subject (they are a guide only). The orange subheadings need to be in every factsheet.

Signs and symptoms

Physical effects, effects on lifestyle, signs or symptoms that parents might note or expect.

Always use as many simple words as you can. If complex or medical words are necessary, explain what they mean and what a layman’s term may be e.g. the femur (often called the thigh bone)

Causes of or Ways of avoiding or Reason for [procedure]

What is the cause of this condition, any way to prevent it or avoid recurrence?

A wide range of people will be accessing this information independently and may make assumptions about their child’s illness based on what procedures the child is having. Sometimes it is safer to be more vague than specific. As appropriate, include the implications for not having the treatment or procedure.

Treatment or What should I expect

If a condition:
Options for treatment for the condition, treatments required, once only or recurring, how often etc. If possible, include complementary treatment options.

If a procedure, surgery or treatment:
What to expect – is there any pain, are there needles involved? Preparation required before or while in hospital, risks and benefits, usual recovery time, possible side effects, effects on lifestyle, usual length of stay in hospital etc.

Depending on your topic, the sub-headings may vary slightly but try to avoid too many changes to the template.

At home care / care after procedure

Add information on home care that might be required, or if the child may be drowsy, require pain relief, diet, etc.

Follow-up

Depending on condition or treatment, for example, when the child should come back to hospital or see their local doctor. Who to contact / what to do if problems, commonly used support services through support groups or community care.

Key points to remember

  • Short bullet point summary
  • (three–four points)

More information

A short bullet point list of relevant fact sheets, hospital services or departments contact details or web sites, approved support groups or organisations. Ideally include one (preferably within Victoria) approved organisation that provides useful information or support.Make sure you get the organisation name right (i.e. The Asthma Foundation of Victoria, not just The Asthma Foundation). Check our list of support groups:

Individual information

[Leave blank space for individual written instructions to be added]

Name of your family doctor:

Tel:

How you say it

If your factsheet includes long or complex medical words that parents need to use or know, write the phonetic spelling here.

Example: Plagiocephaly – play-gee-o-kef-a-lee

References

List any references or research/evidence to support the information you are providing. Also please list and add the URL for any associated Clinical Practice Guideline.

Please complete the evidence table (same as the template used for RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines) and include with your final draft.

It is essential you consult or liaise with all relevant clinical departments and groups before submitting factsheet. This helps make sure the information parents get is the same from everyone looking after their child. It also makes the fact sheet more useful across the hospital.

Images

Attach any images you wish to include in the best quality possible, including the logo of any community organisation you have worked with to co-produce the material.

Word count

Factsheets should be one to two pages long when printed in PDF. 600 words with no images is about two pages once in KHI format, 1,000 words with no images is about three pages. If your factsheet is longer than 1,000 words, please consider breaking it in to two factsheets.

Need some help?

Please contactHannah Burns, Corporate Communications, 9345 5882 or . Don’t forget to involve patients and families – they can tell you what they need.

Not for publishing: PLEASE COMPLETE

Date submitted to KHI:
Principal author:
Contact details:
Email:
Principal department:
Generic email: (for future contact should the main author leave).
In consultation with (department/s)
Email/s:
Parent review?
Contact details: