The Readers, the Writers and the Documents

Abstract

This scoping review aimed to review extant literature in order to describe the readers and writers of allied health reports, determine the accessibility of allied health reports, and identify barriers and facilitators influencing the accessibility of allied health reports. We searched five scientific databases using relevant search terms relating to the accessibility of allied health reports. Nineteen peer-reviewed papers representing five allied health disciplines and six countries were included. In these papers there was little demographic diversity represented in the readers. People with disability, including communication disability, were rarely included. The small body of research that exists has suggested that few allied health reports are written at a level that supports information accessibility. There is not enough research to determine the outcomes of strategies, the barriers, or the facilitators to improving accessibility. Limited evidence is available to guide allied health professionals in producing information accessible reports for their clients.

Keywords::

• Allied Health
• Health Literacy
• Information Accessibility
• Readability
• Reader-Friendly
• Report Writing

Acknowledgement

This study was funded by a Higher Degree Research scholarship at The University of Technology Sydney to Harmony Turnbull.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Harmony Turnbull

Harmony Turnbull is an associate lecturer and PhD candidate at The University of Technology Sydney.

Leigha Dark

Leigha Dark is a senior lecturer and academic course advisor in speech pathology at Western Sydney University.

Ian Skinner

Ian Skinner is a senior lecturer in physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University.

Bronwyn Hemsley

Professor Bronwyn Hemsley is Head of Speech Pathology at the University of Technology Sydney.