Parents require information in an easy-to-read format to enable them to care for their children. Robin Matutina describes an initiative to simplify education materials

Patient education materials provided to families of newly diagnosed paediatric oncology patients should be accessible and easily understood by all families, regardless of reading level. This article examines a unique method to simplify information for parents of such patients by creating teaching and support materials for the reading level typical of a ten or 11 year old. The method, which was piloted in the paediatric oncology clinic at the Medical University of South Carolina in the United States, places important material and ‘survival skills’ on a refrigerator magnet and two laminated wallet cards. The article describes the pilot project, including materials and teaching methods used, and summative and formative evaluation strategies.