Table 3.

Written and online strategies for healthcare providers (alphabetic order reference)

Strategy	References
Provide clear, brief, jargon-free information (lay terminology) in a conversation style (active voice), supported by graphs, illustrations or visuals	[19, 44, 46]
Use large font size and ample white space	[19, 44, 46]
Develop and test materials with the help of members of the target population (i.e. patients with limited health literacy)	[19, 44, 47]
Use short sentences and paragraphs	[19, 44]
Use audio and video recordings as presentation materials, especially with complex issues as prognosis and treatment preferences	[19]
Materials should be linguistically and culturally sensitive	[19]
Tailor communication to patients’ health literacy level (e.g. terminology)	[47]
Healthcare providers should visit relevant patient forums to gain insight into patients’ needs	[47]
Inform palliative care patients about condition-related forums that may support their information and relational need	[47]
Engage in email communication with palliative care patients who express a wish for this, while bearing in mind the potential pitfalls associated with this medium	[47]
Use a ‘communication book’ to record what is happening (filled in by all healthcare providerss, patient and their significant others)	[45]
With respect to e-health literacy: use a checklist for consideration in the web environment	[44]