Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Patient information leaflets are widely used by clinicians to reinforce and supplement information discussed during a consultation. This helps empower the patient and their family by enabling them to gain a greater understanding about their condition, investigation and/or treatment. However, despite the global increase in digital activity leaflets are still being disseminated in printed form. Accessing them online may be the more preferable option and would also more environmentally friendly, reducing the large number of leaflets that need to be printed on a daily basis.

Aim: Compile regularly used information leaflets in the Paediatric Endocrinology department of Evelina London Children’s Hospital and develop a method for them to be accessed online. The aim is to save the clinician time spent searching for leaflets and enable easier dissemination.

Methods: Information leaflets were collated from the websites of the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE), British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes (BSPED), Scottish Paediatric Endocrine Group (SPEG) as well as resources created by clinicians from Evelina London. The URLs to these leaflets were converted into QR codes using an online website (qrcodechimp) and organised into categories such as Adrenal, Growth, Pituitary etc. on a single document. Additional subcategories were highlighted such as Tests (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test, Arginine Test) and also Easy Readability leaflets – These are targeted towards young children facilitating their involvement and improving understanding about their disease.

Results: Clinicians have access to a single document consisting of QR codes for all the regularly used information leaflets. The categories ensure the required leaflet is found quickly so more time can be dedicated towards the patient. Patients and families can use their mobile phones to scan the QR code for the appropriate leaflet.

Conclusion: Online information leaflets need to be made more accessible especially considering the current digital age and environmental impact of the medical industry. Further research could be done comparing the effectiveness of physical and digital leaflets for both the patient and clinicians.