Building a Better Understanding of Medical Terminology in Practice
As clinicians, we utilize complex medical terminology daily. While efficient for recording health details, this specialized language often confuses patients. We must take initiative to nurture patient understanding by simplifying terms, welcoming questions, and supporting retention. This allows patients to better grasp their conditions.
Explain Unfamiliar Terminology
When speaking with patients, be attuned to language requiring clarification. Scan for unfamiliar vocabulary around symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, medications, lifestyle adjustments or other clinical recommendations. Proactively define potentially ambiguous medical jargon in everyday terms before moving forward in appointments.
For example, “We discovered a lesion indicative of basal cell carcinoma. In plain terms, a lesion is an abnormal change to skin cells often from sun damage that may form a growth or mole. Basal cell carcinoma is the medical name for a type of skin cancer that grows slowly.”
Address Common Medical Abbreviations
We regularly use convenient medical abbreviations for rapidly noting patient details. But the experts over at Med Abbrev explain that acronyms like “GERD” for gastroesophageal reflux disease or shorthand such as “SOB” referencing shortness of breath likely perplex patients reading visit summaries containing them.
Get into the habit of verbally reviewing the meaning of any abbreviations used when communicating care plans with patients. Additionally, include written explanations of shorthand appearing in visit summaries, discharge papers and after-care instructions patients receive.
Repeat Back Key Details
After clarifying terminology or reviewing treatment protocols, have patients briefly repeat back main takeaways using their own wording to assess retention. If aspects seem disjointed or vague, revisit instructions using alternate phrasing until comprehension seems firm.
Saying “I want us both to understand this fully, so tell me briefly how you’ll take this antibiotic at home.” surfaces lingering confusion requiring added explanations, supporting adherence.
Offer Educational Materials
Provide patients with clear take-home resources reinforcing terminology definitions, care instructions, medication details, upcoming procedural steps and other clinical recommendations covered. Offer printed materials, online primer links, even smartphone friendly videos showing at-home use of treatment-related devices to help demystify medical language usage.
Follow Teach-Back Principles
Employ teaching-back methodology asking patients to restate your explanations of diagnoses, upcoming test prep protocols, post-operative wound care or other instructions using their own words. Then re-clarify wherever inconsistencies arise before concluding appointments to promote accurate information retention over time.
For instance, “I want to ensure I explained your asthma diagnosis clearly. Can you walk me through how you’ll administer your rescue inhaler if symptoms flare up?”
Speak Slowly Using Non-Technical Language
Consciously moderate speech patterns when communicating instructions or describing health details, allowing adequate time for unfamiliar concepts to sink in. Replace technical verbiage with simpler analogies, no matter how repetitious it is for improved comprehension.
For example: “This growth here is what we call a carcinoma. I want you to picture cells as tiny building blocks that form body parts. When mutations happen, cells can start stacking incorrectly, forming lumps or growths called tumors – like a tower leaning too far to one side.”
Demonstrate Extra Patience
Display patience handling patient questions about medical terminology mentioned or clarifying care instructions multiple times if confusion persists. Rushing conveys disinterest, while compassionately re-explaining procedures, lifestyle changes, or unknown concepts support constructive doctor/patient connections, potentially easing fears.
Conclusion
As healthcare providers, we have an ethical obligation to prioritize patient health literacy by communicating in understandable terms. While medical terminology is inescapable for precise documentation, we must make concerted efforts to explain unfamiliar jargon, define abbreviations, verify comprehension through teach-back methods, and provide reinforcing educational resources. Only by bridging the terminology divide can we ensure care plans align with individual needs and preferences for optimal outcomes.