MEC_ImpactReport_2025_with updated figures, no guidelines, LR - Flipbook - Page 15
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Our PPIE group shaped everything, from the wording of
explanations of medical terms to the platform’s design. Their
feedback was integral to making the tool both accessible and
reassuring.
Dr Dayyanah Sumodhee
Patients provided valuable
feedback on the tone and
clarity of the platform’s
explanations. As a result,
Dr Dayyanah Sumodhee
These summaries are
tailored to meet the needs
of individual patients,
descriptions of conditions such
as “glaucoma” were designed
to be informative yet not
alarming. “When explaining
Associate Professor
Nikolas Pontikos
serious conditions, we needed
to strike a balance between
Associate Professor Nikolas
providing enough information
Pontikos from the UCL
and not creating undue
Institute of Ophthalmology
concern,” Dr Sumodhee added.
also worked on the project.
platform to simplify technical
The tool’s accessibility was also
He emphasised the emotional
jargon, linking patients to
improved based on patient
weight of receiving a
trusted NHS resources for
feedback. “Patients told us they
diagnosis: “It’s important
clearer explanations,” said
preferred using their phones
to realise the impact that
Dr Dayyanah Sumodhee, a
over laptops, and we responded
a diagnosis has on the
health psychologist and senior
by making sure the platform
patient. It’s huge and can be
research fellow at the UCL
worked on all devices,” Dr
devastating, especially for a
Institute of Ophthalmology,
Sumodhee explained. This
child. We want to make sure
who was the lead researcher
adjustment has significantly
that we can really help by
on the project, working
expanded the tool’s reach and
delivering relevant information
alongside the principal
made it more user-friendly.
about the diagnosis and
providing an accessible tool
to clarify medical terms and
conditions in their clinic
letters. “We designed the
investigator, Dr Peter Thomas,
chief clinical information officer
and executive director of digital
Moorfields Eye Charity
funding played a crucial role
by signposting patients to
support groups.”
in the development of a tool
The platform aims to set new
that empowers patients to
standards for healthcare
take control of their health
communication, showing how
A key feature of the project was
information. “Thanks to the
patient input can drive positive
its focus on patient and public
support from Moorfields Eye
change in healthcare delivery.
involvement and engagement
Charity, we were able to co-
‘Explain.Health’ illustrates the
(PPIE). From the beginning,
produce this platform with
value of patient and public
patients were included in co-
patients, ensuring that it meets
involvement and engagement.
producing the platform.
their needs,” said Dr Sumodhee.
With continued support from
development at Moorfields Eye
Hospital.
Moorfields Eye Charity, the
Read a published report about the project here:
project has great potential to
www.doi.org/10.1186/s40900-025-00697-0
improve health literacy and
patient care.
