The Benefits

The Information Standard has been established to help people make informed choices about their lifestyle, conditions and treatment/care options, by providing a recognised and trusted quality mark that will indicate reliable sources of health and social care information.

Research has shown that the quality of health and social care information on offer varies widely; that the quality of many patient information materials is poor and not reliable (1); and that people can feel overwhelmed by the array of information on offer.

Good quality information should be:

• Clear – the information product clearly explains its aims and purposes
• Relevant – the material meets a clearly defined need and has been tested with representatives of the target audience; where possible, links to sources of further information and support are provided
• Evidence based – the information is consistent with up-to-date clinical evidence, medical and social research; personal opinion is clearly distinguished from evidence-based information
• Authoritative – sources of evidence are clearly indicated; names and credentials of authors, funders and sponsors are clearly stated; any conflict of interest is disclosed; any advertising is clearly identified
• Complete – where relevant, all alterative treatment, management or care options are clearly stated and all possible outcomes are clearly presented
• Secure – where a user’s personal details are requested there is a clear policy for safeguarding privacy and confidentiality
• Accurate – the product has been checked for accuracy; in the case of user-generated content there is a clear procedure for moderation
• Well designed – the layout is clear and easy to read; if necessary the product contains specific navigation aids such as content lists, indexing and search facilities
• Readable – the language is clear, where possible conforming to Plain English Standards
• Accessible – there is a clear dissemination plan for the product; the material conforms to accepted standards for accessibility, where possible including versions for use by people with sensory and learning difficulties
• Up-to-date – the date the information is issued is clearly indicated along with the planned review date