Prompt: Pacemaker Patient Information Letter

Pacemaker Patient Information Letter

Use this prompt to draft a post-implant information letter for a patient who has just received a pacemaker. This letter covers what to expect, daily life with a device, and when to seek help.

Draft a patient information letter for a patient aged [[patient_age — 
e.g. "71"]] who has just had a [[device_type — e.g. "dual-chamber 
pacemaker"]] implanted for [[indication — e.g. "complete heart block"]].

Cover:
- What the pacemaker does in plain English
- What to expect in the first few weeks at home (wound care, activity 
  restrictions — general guidance, not specific)
- Day-to-day life with a pacemaker — including reassurance about 
  common household electrical equipment (mobile phones are generally 
  safe to use normally; microwave ovens are safe at normal distance)
- Situations that require caution or medical advice: MRI scanning 
  (must always tell any scanning centre they have a device), 
  airport security, dental or surgical procedures
- Symptoms that warrant contacting the device clinic: dizziness, 
  fainting, palpitations, swelling at the implant site
- The remote monitoring or clinic follow-up plan

Do not include specific technical device parameters. 
Tone: calm and practical. Patients are often anxious about having a 
device. Acknowledge this while being reassuring. Maximum 400 words.

Why this works

Pacemaker patients have specific anxieties that generic medical letters do not address — particularly around electrical equipment, airport security, and future procedures. Including these topics directly in the prompt ensures they are covered in the draft without you needing to add them yourself later.

How to tweak it

• For a patient who is pacemaker-dependent, add: "Note that this patient is pacemaker-dependent, meaning the pacemaker is doing more of the electrical work for the heart. The importance of device follow-up and reporting symptoms is therefore particularly important."
• For a patient who has asked specifically about returning to sport or heavy lifting, add: "Include specific guidance about returning to [[activity — e.g. 'swimming' or 'gardening']] — note that the clinical team will advise on specific timelines at follow-up."

Remember: AI is a helpful assistant, not a clinician. You make the call.