Healthcare · 10 min

Create a patient education handout on managing Type 2 diabetes with lifestyle interventions

Archetype: Explainer Tier 3

Context

A community health center serves a diverse urban population with many newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients. The clinical educator must create a patient education handout at a 6th-grade reading level that provides clear, actionable lifestyle guidance while meeting clinical accuracy standards and health literacy best practices.

Before (Unstructured)

"Write a patient handout about managing type 2 diabetes."

What is missing

× No audience specification — reading level, cultural context, and health literacy undefined
× No clinical standards referenced — which guidelines should inform content?
× No format constraints — length, visual requirements, font size unspecified
× No content scope boundaries — could include medication, insulin, or surgery
× No quality criteria — how to assess readability and clinical accuracy?

After (MOTIVE-Structured)

[M] Motivation

As a clinical educator at a community health center, I need a patient education handout because newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients need clear, actionable lifestyle guidance at a 6th-grade reading level.

[O] Object

Deliver a 2-page patient handout with sections on diet, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and warning signs. Success criteria: (1) Flesch-Kincaid score of 60+ (6th-grade level), (2) All dietary recommendations evidence-based per ADA 2026, (3) Visual aid descriptions included for each section.

[T] Tool

Use the Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit (AHRQ) for readability design. Follow ADA Standards of Medical Care 2026 for clinical accuracy. Apply teach-back methodology principles.

[I] Instruction

1. Explain what Type 2 diabetes is in plain language (max 3 sentences). 2. List 5 dietary changes with specific food examples. 3. Describe a beginner exercise plan (150 min/week target). 4. Explain blood sugar monitoring basics with number ranges. 5. List warning signs requiring immediate medical attention. If clinical recommendations vary by guideline, use ADA as primary source.

[V] Variables

Audience: Adults 40-65, low health literacy, diverse urban population. Language: English, 6th-grade Flesch-Kincaid. Format: 2 pages, large font (14pt minimum), high-contrast layout. Cultural context: Multi-ethnic, include culturally diverse food examples. Exclude: Medication dosing, insulin protocols, surgical options, brand names.

[E] Evaluation

Score: (1) Reading level appropriateness 1-5, (2) Clinical accuracy per ADA guidelines 1-5, (3) Actionability of lifestyle recommendations 1-5, (4) Cultural sensitivity 1-5. Readability must score 60+ on Flesch-Kincaid. If clinical accuracy < 4, revise immediately.

Output Comparison

Before Output

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Patients should modify their dietary intake, increase physical activity, and monitor their glycemic levels regularly to achieve optimal HbA1c targets.

Show full output

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The pathophysiology involves impaired beta-cell function and decreased peripheral glucose uptake, leading to sustained elevations in fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels. Patients should modify their dietary intake to reduce glycemic load, increase consumption of complex carbohydrates, and limit saturated fat intake. A Mediterranean-style dietary pattern has demonstrated efficacy in improving glycemic control. Caloric restriction may be indicated for patients with elevated BMI. Physical activity is recommended at a frequency of 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Resistance training should be incorporated on non-consecutive days. Patients should undergo pre-exercise cardiovascular risk assessment if sedentary prior to diagnosis. Glycemic self-monitoring using a glucometer is essential for titration of pharmacological therapy. Patients should target fasting plasma glucose of 80-130 mg/dL and postprandial glucose below 180 mg/dL. HbA1c should be assessed quarterly with a target of less than 7.0% for most adults.

After Output

What is Type 2 Diabetes? Your body has trouble using sugar from food for energy. This makes sugar build up in your blood, which can hurt your body over time. The good news: you can manage it with the right food and movement choices. 5 Food Changes That Help: 1. Fill half your plate with vegetables (broccoli, carrots, leafy greens). 2. Choose brown rice instead of white rice.

Show full output

**What is Type 2 Diabetes?** Your body has trouble using sugar from food for energy. This makes sugar build up in your blood, which can hurt your body over time. The good news: you can manage it with the right food and movement choices every day. **5 Food Changes That Help** 1. Fill half your plate with vegetables (broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, peppers). 2. Choose brown rice instead of white rice — it keeps your blood sugar steadier. 3. Pick water or unsweetened tea instead of juice or soda. 4. Eat smaller portions more often — try 3 meals and 2 small snacks each day. 5. Choose grilled or baked chicken and fish instead of fried foods. Quick swap examples: Instead of white bread, try whole wheat bread. Instead of chips, try a handful of nuts. Instead of ice cream, try a small cup of yogurt with berries. **Move Your Body Every Day** Your goal: 30 minutes of movement, 5 days a week. This does not have to be all at once! Try: a 10-minute walk after each meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Good activities to start with: walking, dancing, swimming, gardening, or riding a bike. Start slow — even 5 minutes is better than zero. Write down your activity each day to track your progress. **Know Your Numbers** Your blood sugar target before meals: 80-130. Your blood sugar target 2 hours after eating: below 180. Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor says. Keep a simple log: write the number, the time, and what you ate. **Ask Your Doctor** Bring these questions to your next visit: What is my A1C number and what should it be? Do I need to check my blood sugar at home? What should I do if my blood sugar goes too high or too low? Are there diabetes classes I can attend? Call your doctor right away if: you feel very thirsty and need to use the bathroom a lot, you feel dizzy or confused, or you have a cut or sore that will not heal.

Evaluation Scores

Average Before

1.3/5

Average After

5/5

Improvement

+300%

Before MOTIVE (1-5)

After MOTIVE (1-5)

Key Improvement

The Variables component produced the largest quality impact by specifying 6th-grade reading level, 14pt font, and cultural diversity requirements — transforming a clinical-jargon response into an accessible, patient-centered document that meets health literacy standards.

Critically evaluate a municipal proposal for AI-assisted urban traffic management

→