Patient Information Forum (PIF)

Our most popular training workshop is back from 3-5 March. The CPD Standards Office-certified Writing Health Information course takes place online over three mornings. Each day focuses on a core element of creating health information – from using plain language to interviewing skills and risk communication. The course is ideal if you're new to health information creation, or just looking to refresh your skills. As well as getting individual feedback on a pre-workshop task, all delegates will also take part in group activities and discussions. Sessions will be led by three expert communicators: Sheena Campbell, Virginia Chachati MPharm and Nicola Caines. Book here before 17 February to receive a 10% early bird discount: https://lnkd.in/ec5qbwU5 #HealthInformation #PlainLanguage #InvolvingUsers #CoProduction #Evidence #RiskCommunication #CPD

Did you know PIF is now on Bluesky Social? Follow us for all things #HealthInformation, including live updates from our hot topic webinars: https://lnkd.in/eMANaUjn.

Yesterday the Doomsday Clock moved closer than ever to destruction. A statement by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists highlighted several risks including emerging and re-emerging diseases and disruptive technologies. The bulletin also highlighted how the dangers listed are being exacerbated by misinformation and disinformation. Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eDyRssEY The update to the Doomsday Clock comes after the World Economics Forum highlighted misinformation as the number one risk over the next two years in its Global Risks Report 2024. Misinformation was listed as the fifth biggest threat over the next 10 years. Read a summary and read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/esF4N2XD At PIF, we are actively working to fight misinformation. Ipsos UK research found 2 in 3 people say independent verification of health information is needed to distinguish between credible sources and misinformation. A dedicated PIF TICK website and directory promotes the PIF TICK and trusted information producers to healthcare professionals and the public. Certified creators display the PIF TICK on their information. The PIF TICK website also features free guides to help people find trusted information and spot false health information. Find out more about the PIF TICK here: https://lnkd.in/eWq5gjA We will continue to work with our members to activate everyone's right to trusted, credible health information. Together we believe we can fight the threat of misinformation and disinformation. But we need to act now. #HealthInformation #Misinformation #Disinformation #DoomsdayClock #PIFTick

A recording of last week's webinar on Tackling health misinformation and understanding health literacy is now available on our website: https://lnkd.in/ea5efFff This was a fascinating event. Presentations included: The impact of trusted information – Findings of a survey from PIF member organisations. A qualitative survey of the impact of patient support groups using corpus linguistics. Knowledge is Power – The digital channels people trust. ‘Link in bio’ – Fake cancer cures, algorithmic misinformation and online harms on TikTok. Mind the Gap – Recognising and bridging the information gap between the public and professionals. The recording will be publicly available for two weeks before being restricted to PIF members only. Not a PIF member yet? Find out more about our membership options here: https://lnkd.in/eXkrB94c Once again a huge thanks to everyone who attended, especially our expert panel of guest speakers: Emma McClaughlin, Rebecca West, DrPH, Stephanie Alice Baker and Peter Smith. #Misinformation #HealthLiteracy #HealthInformation #PatientInformation #KnowledgeIsPower

We have had an absolutely amazing Health Information Week. It has been brilliant to see all of your fabulous resources and to hear so many people talking about the importance of health literacy. Local councils have a huge role to play in signposting trusted health information. Spaces like libraries and community centres are invaluable. We are thrilled to see the results of our Knowledge is Power report featured on the Local Government Association website this week: https://lnkd.in/eaxuykCF Thanks as well to Libby Whittaker from Self-Care Forum for helping to raise awareness of our work. We are so lucky to have such supportive partners, and members, who recognise the value of collaboration. We're finishing up our activity for Health Information Week now, but remember the event runs until Sunday. And, of course, we will continue to shout about the importance of trusted, credible health information throughout the year. #HIW2025 #HealthLiteracy #HealthInformation #PatientInformation

In a new blog for The King's Fund, PIF director Sophie Randall says everyone should be signposted to credible health information. Sophie shares key findings from our Knowledge is Power report. The research found: Half of UK adults are struggling to access trusted health information. 1 in 10 UK adults with long-term conditions are signposted to patient organisation. 1 in 10 UK adults have been affected by misinformation. 8 in 10 UK adults agree access to trusted health information would help them manage their health. Our findings are mirrored by those of Kidney Care UK, Self-Care Forum, Personalised Care Institute, The Health Foundation and Cognitant Group Limited. Read Sophie's blog in full here: https://lnkd.in/dF_5he7x #HIW2025 #HealthInformation #PatientInformation #KnowledgeIsPower #Misinformation

We are thrilled to announce we have reached a very important milestone this Health Information Week – 150 certified Trusted Information Creators! Please join us in welcoming the 150th creator to gain the PIF TICK – NCT Charity. Angela McConville, Chief Executive at NCT, said: "In a world where new and expectant parents are inundated with information and opinions, knowing what to trust is essential. Parents make deeply personal, life-changing decisions during pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. We are proud to be rolling out PIF TICK-certified information, ensuring that every parent has access to impartial, evidence-based, trusted information at every step of their journey.” Read more about NCT's certification here: https://lnkd.in/dquM9nkD We have also published the latest version of the PIF TICK directory this week. The directory is designed to help everyone easily find trusted sources of health information. View and download the PDF version here: https://lnkd.in/em365KMz View all certified members online here: https://lnkd.in/dsp6TC_m #HIW2025 #PIFTick #HealthInformation #PatientInformation #HealthContent

We need to signpost credible health information to patients. You can read why in my blog for The King's Fund published to coincide with Health Information Week #HIW25. Today's theme is health literacy and misinformation. My blog cites Patient Information Forum (PIF)and Ipsos UK research which finds UK adults are struggling to find health information they can trust and 2 in 3 in support verification of health information. These findings are supported by separate research from Self-Care Forum and Personalised Care Institute. Read more here https://lnkd.in/g3VZZukM #HIW25 #HealthLiteracy #SelfCare #PersonalisedCare #Misinformation

It's day 4 of Health Information Week and today's theme is Health Literacy and Misinformation. As most of you know, this is something we are hugely passionate about here at PIF so long post incoming... We believe access to the right health information at the right time empowers people. It supports shared decision-making and self-management and improves health outcomes. However, our recent research with Ipsos UK revealed half of UK adults are struggling to access trusted health information. View more of the key findings in our Knowledge is Power report here: https://lnkd.in/ex33QtVF Recent research by Self-Care Forum and the Personalised Care Institute has revealed similar themes: Self Care Survey highlights: https://lnkd.in/eSkTeSFU A Manifesto for Putting Personalised Care at the Centre https://lnkd.in/eqgskG-s At PIF we campaign for health literacy at a policy level, encourage organisations to be health and digital literacy friendly and issue guidance on core topics. One of our most popular resources is Health Literacy Matters – a one-page poster packed with data to help make the case for health-literacy friendly materials. The poster is available in PDF and HTML formats here: https://lnkd.in/eBfV6gpg Health Literacy Matters forms part of our free poster series, Health Information Matters. Other key topics include accessible language, accessibility and translation. Access the full series here: https://lnkd.in/e_ABwbKa Inspired to improve the health literacy of your materials? Show your commitment by signing up to our Health and Digital Literacy Charter today: https://lnkd.in/e2NY3vp We are also actively working to fight misinformation. A dedicated PIF TICK website and directory promotes the PIF TICK and 150 certified Trusted Information Creators to healthcare professionals and the public. The latest directory was published yesterday. View and download the PDF version of the directory here: https://lnkd.in/em365KMz View an online list of certified creators here: https://lnkd.in/dsp6TC_m Find out more about how the PIF TICK works, and why it matters, here: https://lnkd.in/eWq5gjA #HIW2025 #HealthLiteracy #Misinformation #PIFTick #HealthInformation #PatientInformation #SharedDecisionMaking

This is a fantastic example of the difference clear information can make to people's lives. Congratulations to the ALK Positive Lung Cancer UK team on their first PIF TICK certified resource. 🎉 #HIW2025 #HealthInformation #PatientInformation #PIFTick