Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

An information prescription is a source of personalised information that clearly and simply lays out the most important points about an individual's information needs, during their consultation with a healthcare professional. It provides details on their diagnosis, treatment and/or care plan and points the way to other relevant sources of high-quality information and support. The information prescription is designed to improve the dialogue between patients and health professionals and enhance the valuable face-to-face time within the consultation.

Much like a medical prescription, an information prescription is offered to an individual by a medical, health care, social care, or information and support professional or adviser. It is provided as part of their usual interaction with a patient or carer.

Information prescriptions are currently being developed across all long-term health conditions, but are most highly developed in cancer care. Information prescriptions are an individualised way of providing information that relates to an individual's specific needs.