A PIL for every ill? Patient information leaflets (PILs): a review of past, present and future use

This article reviews the usefulness and importance of written information,specifically leaflets, being given to patients. Evidence suggesting howboth patient and doctor may benefit from the giving of written informationis reviewed. Identification of good practice relating to the content andreadability of leaflets is discussed. An argument is put forward that thegiving of written information is an under-utilized resource in contributingto improving patient outcomes but that this may be changing with theincreasing use of patient leaflet databases. The advantages anddisadvantages of computer- generated patient leaflets are discussed anddesirable further areas of research on computer-generated leaflets areproposed.