Service Learning Approval for Supplemental Materials Instructions

All printed and presented material needs to be approved as follows:

1. If you print patient-education materials directly from a reputable source (AHA, NHLBI, ADA, ACS) then it does not require approval to distribute to patients.
   1. If you use portions from one or more of the above sources to create a pamphlet or presentation, then it does need approval and each source should be cited. Use AMA or APA for referencing sources, be consistent.
   2. If you add to the original pamphlet but do not alter it, then approval is required for the additional information, which must be cited.
   3. You may use as many sources as you feel are appropriate to create your pamphlet or presentation and all sources must be cited. This requires approval.
   4. It is not recommended to alter the prepared patient-education materials from the national websites. You may print multiple pamphlets if you think critical information is missing from one, but the best mantra is “keep it simple.” In other words, one or two handouts is best.
2. If you use anecdotal evidence, make sure it applies to the topic being addressed and that your experience enhances the printed material, not contradicts. If this information is not formally presented, then approval is not required. If it is formally incorporated into a verbal presentation, it should be approved. Since verbal presentations are less structured than a poster or PowerPoint, an outline is recommended with key points.
3. If any preceptor is requesting an oral presentation, make sure you understand the expectations and parameters for the presentation; for example, audience, time frame, objectives, depth and scope.
   1. If the presentation is pure oral delivery with no supporting materials, then an outline with key points is recommended.
   2. If it is oral plus a PowerPoint, then the PowerPoint only needs approval, make sure the sources are cited.
4. Caution against using your own knowledge to create materials for patients. The health care treatment and prevention model in the United States  and throughout all developed countries in the world uses the concept of “evidence-based practice.” While textbooks can provide good general information and personal antidotes can punctuate an important concept, all practitioners and students should strive to use the evidence-based guidelines already established. There could be a few cases where you might be presenting a motivational speech to a group of patients, so this type of presentation would require fewer citations and more personal vignettes. In either case, every handout requires approval, except those mentioned in section a.