Effective Design for Documentation

Chapter 14: Effective Design for Documentation

Overview:

• Outlines the need for forms
• Outlines the equipment needed for effective documentation
• Discusses the principles of effective form design
• Highlights the need for trials when designing a form

Description:

This chapter offers practical advice on the design of effective forms for nursing documentation. Well designed forms are easier to use, but before designing a completely new form nurses should consider whether they are able to adapt to an existing one. The suggestions in this chapter will help nurses to design forms that best suit their purposes.

Topics:

• Introduction
• The purpose of forms
• Equipment
  • Paper
  • Computer software
• Principles of effective form design
  • Identification
  • Title
  • Purpose
  • Presentation
  • Layout
  • Seeking information logically
• Trials
• Conclusion

Speaker/Author:

John Collins
John holds a diploma in continuing education, a bachelor’s degree in arts and a master’s degree in education. He has worked as a senior bureaucrat in a number of educational systems. This employment has involved him in the design and implementation of a range of records and documents. John is well aware of the importance of well-designed and user-friendly forms for documentation.

Professional Reviews: