We are thrilled to welcome Crohn’s & Colitis UK to our ever-growing community of accredited PIF TICK members. Accurate, accessible, evidence-based information is key to increasing patient empowerment and improving health outcomes.
Dan Wills
PIF TICK manager
Patient information forum
Bree, one of our Knowledge and Information Editors, tells us what this means and what it’s taken to get to this point.
What is the PIF TICK?
The PIF TICK is a sign of health information you can trust. When you see the PIF TICK on leaflets, websites, apps, or videos it shows that the health information you’re viewing has been through a thorough, approved production process.
The Patient Information Forum (PIF) is a membership organisation for people who write and create health information, just like us. They make sure that we have the highest standards for the information you receive and that we’re always doing right by you.
Why is it so important to us?
We aim to produce high-quality information that supports the needs of everyone affected by Crohn’s and Colitis throughout their lives.
Having the PIF TICK recognises this quality, so we can confidently say that our information is evidence-based, relevant and accurate.
Because of our work with PIF, you know that you can trust what we tell you.
Bree
Knowledge and information editor
Crohn's & Colitis UK
What did we have to do?
To be awarded the PIF TICK, we had to show that we are meeting 10 key steps:
- We create our information using a reliable process.
- We train and support our staff to produce high-quality information.
- We produce information to fill gaps that have been identified by people affected by Crohn’s or Colitis.
- We make sure that our information is based on the best and most up-to-date evidence available.
- We involve people living with Crohn’s and Colitis at all stages of development, through our Reader’s Panel. This in addition to healthcare professionals and other experts who advise on the content.
- We use plain language that is easier to understand.
- We make it as easy as possible for you to find and use our information.
- We actively collect and act on feedback from the people who use our information.
- We make sure that people know what information we have and how they can find it, so that it can be used by everyone who needs it.
- We measure how information is being used, and how it is helping those people who use it.
What does it mean for the people who use our information?
From medicines and surgery to relationships, diet and coping at school, it's our job to make sure that you have the information you need. Having the PIF TICK on our information shows that what you are reading, watching or listening to has been produced to the highest possible standard.
One of the key steps in the PIF TICK process is to create all of our information together with healthcare professionals and people affected by Crohn's and Colitis. It’s so important to show your real experiences and stories in our information.
When you use our information we want you to feel informed, empowered to make decisions and take actions, and know that we are here for you.
With so much health information out there, it can be hard to know what to trust.
You can find guides for spotting false health information and a list of other PIF TICK members on their website.
What’s next?
All of our information that has met the 10 key steps will get the PIF TICK mark. Keep an eye on our website to see the tick popping up on more of our information in the future.
For us, the PIF TICK assessment will happen every year. We will continue to follow the 10 key steps to produce our information and look for any areas we can change or improve.
You are always welcome to give comments, suggestions or feedback on our information, or how we produce it. Click the link below, or you can write to us at Crohn’s & Colitis UK, 1 Bishop Square, Hatfield, AL10 9NE.
