Claude for patient education materials, done properly.
The tested prompt, the codes that help, and the setup healthcare pros run. Copy, adapt, ship.
Health literacy is low — most patient materials are written at a college level when the average patient reads at 8th grade. Confusing materials lead to non-compliance and worse outcomes.
Three reasons this actually lands.
The prompt, the codes, the fit. Each one on its own is a nice-to-have. Together, they change the workflow.
One tested prompt, copy-paste ready. Rules baked in, placeholders marked, tone locked down. No prompt-engineering trial runs, no back-and-forth.
Prefix with TONE:, L99, PERSONA for compound effects. Each code is a documented technique, not a magic word.
Tuned for healthcare workflows. Not a generic template, and not another "you are a helpful assistant" hack.
Without the pattern vs with it.
What the day looks like when you keep winging the prompt, and what it looks like when you stop.
Generic prompt. Claude writes something that could be about anyone, in any industry, from anywhere. Sounds like a template because it is one.
The CLSkills prompt with placeholders for your context. Claude writes it like a specialist who actually knows the work. Publishable after one edit pass.
You paste, Claude answers, you rewrite, you paste again. Ten minutes of back-and-forth per output. Three hours across a batch of five.
Prompt loaded once. You feed the specifics, Claude returns the finished output. Two minutes per, twenty across five. Same tone, same structure, every time.
Middle-of-the-road copy that reads AI-flavoured. Recipients notice. Response rates stay low. You end up rewriting most of it anyway.
Patient-friendly educational materials at the appropriate reading level. Clear action steps, warning signs, and FAQs that reduce call-backs and improve compliance. Must be clinically reviewed.
Copy this, replace the placeholders, ship.
Create patient education materials for [CONDITION/PROCEDURE]. Condition: [MEDICAL CONDITION OR PROCEDURE] Audience: [GENERAL PUBLIC / ELDERLY / PEDIATRIC PARENTS / SPECIFIC DEMOGRAPHIC] Literacy level: [6TH GRADE / 8TH GRADE / GENERAL ADULT] Language: [ENGLISH / SPECIFY] Format: [HANDOUT / DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS / FAQ] Include: 1. **What it is**: Plain-language explanation (no unexplained medical terms) 2. **What to expect**: Step-by-step if procedure, symptom progression if condition 3. **What to do**: Clear action steps (medications, lifestyle changes, follow-up) 4. **Warning signs**: When to call the doctor vs. go to the ER 5. **Common questions**: 5 FAQs patients actually ask 6. **Medications**: If applicable, dosing schedule in simple format Rules: - Write at [LITERACY LEVEL] reading level (use Flesch-Kincaid as guide) - Use "you" language, not third person - Short sentences (under 15 words each) - Bullet points over paragraphs - Define any medical term the first time it appears - Include visual cues (icons/emoji suggestions for emphasis) NOTE: Must be reviewed by a qualified healthcare provider before distribution.
Replace the [BRACKETED] placeholders with your context.
Stack these prefixes for compound gains.
Prepend one or more of these to the prompt above. Each code is documented on its own page with before and after examples.
Every prompt, once.
The Cheat Sheet is every tested code, with a before and an after.
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