Patient Communication Skill
Write clear, plain-English patient communications for any healthcare context.
From the mohitagw15856/pm-claude-skills README — shows the whole collection, not only this skill. · view on GitHub
How to use it
Claude Code
- Run the line below. It pulls the whole folder into
~/.claude/skills/patient-communication. - Describe your job in plain words. Claude Code follows the skill from there.
Claude Code — installs the whole folder, not just SKILL.md
npx degit mohitagw15856/pm-claude-skills/skills/patient-communication#main ~/.claude/skills/patient-communicationFor one project only, change the path to .claude/skills/patient-communication.
Claude (web or desktop app)
- On this page open ⋯ → Download .md.
- Save it as SKILL.md in a folder, zip the folder, then Customize → Skills → + → Create skill → Upload a skill.
- Pick the file and Save. Claude shows the name and description and runs a security scan.
- Check the skill is switched on.
- Start a new chat and describe your job in plain words. The AI follows the skill from there.
ChatGPT or another app
- ChatGPT: make a Project and paste it into Instructions.
- Neither? Paste it at the top of a new chat — it works for that chat.
Not working?
- Check which app you pasted it into — the steps above name the right one.
- Some skills need the paid tier of Claude or ChatGPT.
Paste into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor.
Source of Patient Communication Skill
Show the full text107 lines
| name | description |
|---|---|
| patient-communication | Write clear, plain-English patient communications for any healthcare context. Use when asked to write a patient letter, patient information leaflet, appointment letter, test-results letter, discharge summary for patients, or health education content. Produces an accessible patient communication at an appropriate reading level with clear next steps. |
Patient Communication Skill
Writes patient-facing healthcare communications in plain, accessible language — targeting UK Grade 6 / US Grade 8 reading level.
WARNING: All patient communications must be reviewed and approved by a qualified healthcare professional before sending. This skill produces drafts only.
Required Inputs
- Communication type (appointment letter / results letter / discharge info / patient leaflet / consent info / health education)
- Clinical context
- Key messages (what the patient must understand and do)
- Tone (reassuring / informative / urgent)
- Specific instructions or next steps
- Contact details for queries
Output Structure
Type A: Patient Letter
[Date]
Dear [Patient name],
Re: [Clear subject line in bold]
[Opening paragraph: State clearly what this letter is about. No preamble.]
[Main content — short paragraphs, 2-3 sentences each. Bullet points for instructions. Bold anything the patient must do or remember.]
What happens next:
- [Action 1 — specific with timeframe]
- [Action 2]
If you have questions: Contact us at [phone] between [hours] or email [address].
If you feel unwell before your appointment, please [specific instruction].
Yours sincerely, [Name, Title, Department]
Type B: Patient Information Leaflet
[Plain language title]
What is [topic]? [2-3 plain English sentences. Explain technical terms immediately.]
Why has this been recommended for me? [Personalised clinical reason in patient terms]
What will happen? [Numbered step by step]
What are the benefits? [Honest statement]
What are the risks? [Common first, then rare but serious. Use frequencies: "About 1 in 10 people..." not "10% incidence"]
What should I do to prepare? [Specific instructions]
When should I contact someone? [Specific signs — not vague. "Temperature above 38C" not "if you feel unwell"]
Type C: Test Results Letter
Your [test name] results — [Normal / Abnormal] — stated in the FIRST sentence, never paragraph 3.
[What this means in plain English]
What happens next: [Clear next steps. If no action, say so explicitly.]
Plain Language Rules (apply to all types)
- Maximum 2 syllables per word where possible
- Maximum 20 words per sentence
- Active voice: "We will contact you" not "You will be contacted"
- Spell out all acronyms on first use
- No Latin: "twice daily" not "bd"
- Use "you" and "we" throughout
- Numbers as digits: "2 tablets" not "two tablets"
Quality Checks
- Written at or below Grade 8 reading level (short words, short sentences)
- Active voice used throughout ("We will contact you" not "You will be contacted")
- Results letter states the result in the first sentence
- Next steps are specific and include timeframes
- No Latin or acronyms without explanation
- Disclaimer that clinical review is required before sending
Anti-Patterns
- Do not use medical jargon without a plain-English explanation — write for the patient, not the clinician
- Do not omit a clear "next steps" section — patients must know exactly what to do after reading
- Do not produce final content without flagging that clinical review is required before sending
- Do not write above a Grade 8 reading level without a compelling reason — accessibility is the default
- Do not include Latin abbreviations (e.g. "p.r.n.", "b.d.") without spelling them out — they are not universally understood
Example Trigger Phrases
- "Write a patient letter about [topic]"
- "Create a patient information leaflet for [procedure]"
- "Write a plain English results letter for [test]"
| 1 | |
| 2 | name patient-communication |
| 3 | description "Write clear, plain-English patient communications for any healthcare context. Use when asked to write a patient letter, patient information leaflet, appointment letter, test-results letter, discharge summary for patients, or health education content. Produces an accessible patient communication at an appropriate reading level with clear next steps." |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | # Patient Communication Skill |
| 7 | |
| 8 | Writes patient-facing healthcare communications in plain, accessible language — targeting UK Grade 6 / US Grade 8 reading level. |
| 9 | |
| 10 | WARNING: All patient communications must be reviewed and approved by a qualified healthcare professional before sending. This skill produces drafts only. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | ## Required Inputs |
| 13 | **Communication type** (appointment letter / results letter / discharge info / patient leaflet / consent info / health education) |
| 14 | **Clinical context** |
| 15 | **Key messages** (what the patient must understand and do) |
| 16 | **Tone** (reassuring / informative / urgent) |
| 17 | **Specific instructions or next steps** |
| 18 | **Contact details for queries** |
| 19 | |
| 20 | ## Output Structure |
| 21 | |
| 22 | ### Type A: Patient Letter |
| 23 | |
| 24 | [Date] |
| 25 | |
| 26 | Dear [Patient name], |
| 27 | |
| 28 | **Re: [Clear subject line in bold]** |
| 29 | |
| 30 | [Opening paragraph: State clearly what this letter is about. No preamble.] |
| 31 | |
| 32 | [Main content — short paragraphs, 2-3 sentences each. Bullet points for instructions. Bold anything the patient must do or remember.] |
| 33 | |
| 34 | **What happens next:** |
| 35 | [Action 1 — specific with timeframe] |
| 36 | [Action 2] |
| 37 | |
| 38 | **If you have questions:** |
| 39 | Contact us at [phone] between [hours] or email [address]. |
| 40 | |
| 41 | If you feel unwell before your appointment, please [specific instruction]. |
| 42 | |
| 43 | Yours sincerely, [Name, Title, Department] |
| 44 | |
| 45 | |
| 46 | |
| 47 | ### Type B: Patient Information Leaflet |
| 48 | |
| 49 | **[Plain language title]** |
| 50 | |
| 51 | **What is [topic]?** [2-3 plain English sentences. Explain technical terms immediately.] |
| 52 | |
| 53 | **Why has this been recommended for me?** [Personalised clinical reason in patient terms] |
| 54 | |
| 55 | **What will happen?** [Numbered step by step] |
| 56 | |
| 57 | **What are the benefits?** [Honest statement] |
| 58 | |
| 59 | **What are the risks?** [Common first, then rare but serious. Use frequencies: "About 1 in 10 people..." not "10% incidence"] |
| 60 | |
| 61 | **What should I do to prepare?** [Specific instructions] |
| 62 | |
| 63 | **When should I contact someone?** [Specific signs — not vague. "Temperature above 38C" not "if you feel unwell"] |
| 64 | |
| 65 | |
| 66 | |
| 67 | ### Type C: Test Results Letter |
| 68 | |
| 69 | **Your [test name] results — [Normal / Abnormal] — stated in the FIRST sentence, never paragraph 3.** |
| 70 | |
| 71 | [What this means in plain English] |
| 72 | |
| 73 | **What happens next:** [Clear next steps. If no action, say so explicitly.] |
| 74 | |
| 75 | |
| 76 | |
| 77 | ## Plain Language Rules (apply to all types) |
| 78 | Maximum 2 syllables per word where possible |
| 79 | Maximum 20 words per sentence |
| 80 | Active voice: "We will contact you" not "You will be contacted" |
| 81 | Spell out all acronyms on first use |
| 82 | No Latin: "twice daily" not "bd" |
| 83 | Use "you" and "we" throughout |
| 84 | Numbers as digits: "2 tablets" not "two tablets" |
| 85 | |
| 86 | ## Quality Checks |
| 87 | |
| 88 | [ ] Written at or below Grade 8 reading level (short words, short sentences) |
| 89 | [ ] Active voice used throughout ("We will contact you" not "You will be contacted") |
| 90 | [ ] Results letter states the result in the first sentence |
| 91 | [ ] Next steps are specific and include timeframes |
| 92 | [ ] No Latin or acronyms without explanation |
| 93 | [ ] Disclaimer that clinical review is required before sending |
| 94 | |
| 95 | ## Anti-Patterns |
| 96 | |
| 97 | [ ] Do not use medical jargon without a plain-English explanation — write for the patient, not the clinician |
| 98 | [ ] Do not omit a clear "next steps" section — patients must know exactly what to do after reading |
| 99 | [ ] Do not produce final content without flagging that clinical review is required before sending |
| 100 | [ ] Do not write above a Grade 8 reading level without a compelling reason — accessibility is the default |
| 101 | [ ] Do not include Latin abbreviations (e.g. "p.r.n.", "b.d.") without spelling them out — they are not universally understood |
| 102 | |
| 103 | ## Example Trigger Phrases |
| 104 | "Write a patient letter about [topic]" |
| 105 | "Create a patient information leaflet for [procedure]" |
| 106 | "Write a plain English results letter for [test]" |
| 107 |
Discussion
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