Take a moment to appreciate the irony.
We spend so much time learning a new language during medical training that it grants us access to an exclusive club. That language gets fine-tuned through more training and further specialization. At the same time, as we sit through standardized patient or observed structured clinical examinations, we are often evaluated and critiqued based on the clarity of the language we use to communicate with our patients.
While our medical language fosters a sense of community and precision within medical circles, it also creates barriers for anyone outside it. The dichotomy between the need for clear communication between healthcare professionals and the need to maintain accessibility and clarity in patient interactions presents a challenge. Should we rethink how we communicate?
Building Our Own Barriers
Jargon, from the Old French word jargoun, was first used by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Merchants Tale, to mean ‘the unintelligible twittering of birds.’ This metaphor captures the patient experience when faced with medical terminologies, with implications far beyond mere confusion and dissatisfaction.1–4 A recent survey study demonstrated a wide variation in how children understood medical jargon, with up to half of children misunderstanding or misinterpreting some of the medical phrases studied.5 This is clearly a problem.
Using jargon impacts the patient and the system. It is associated with suboptimal patient outcomes and increased healthcare expenditure.6,7 It can lead to unnecessary fear and anxiety. The specificity of medical jargon also creates confusion across different specialities.8 For instance, the abbreviation “PE” can mean “pulmonary embolism” to an emergency medicine physician, “preeclampsia” to an obstetrician, and “physical education” to a patient.
The Power of Plain Language
We know the disparity between our training’s jargon-based indoctrination and the benefits of plain language.9 The push towards more equitable and accessible healthcare is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity.10 Simplifying medical speak does not undermine its seriousness or complexity. Instead, it bridges the gap between knowledge and understanding. It creates an environment for better-informed decisions and health outcomes.
Plain language in medicine does not dilute the essence of the information but enhances its reach and impact. Patients who understand their diagnosis and treatment options and engage in shared decision-making are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, exhibit better health outcomes, and report higher satisfaction levels.11 The shift toward clarity and simplicity is beneficial and vital for effective healthcare delivery.
The 3 C’s Framework
There have been efforts to address communication through health literacy at the system level.7,12 We propose a simple framework to guide one-on-one conversations13: the 3 Cs (Casual, Concise, Context).
- Casual: While some may baulk at being casual in a patient encounter, this is a strategy for establishing a comfortable and trusting environment. It prioritizes taking time to establish rapport and using plain language coupled with active listening. Think of it as having a conversation over coffee with your (non-medical) mother.
- Concise: Deliver clear and focused messages. Make the key point upfront and early. If a conversation is complex, recognize that it may be necessary to continue the discussion later. Avoid overwhelming with too much information.
- Context: Be mindful of where and with whom the conversation takes place. The same words may have very different meanings and connotations. For example, the notion that someone’s cancer is progressing is viewed negatively in medical speak, but the word progress has a positive connotation in layman’s terms.
Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a potential ally in demystifying medical communication. Its ability to distil complex information into digestible summaries is invaluable for healthcare professionals and patients. It can identify key themes in dense medical texts and provide concise patient-focused summaries. It can also create explanations for specific educational levels, making complicated medical information more accessible to a broader audience. AI also offers a platform where users can interact directly with medical text via chat or voice.14,15 This empowers patients with knowledge and encourages a more engaged and proactive approach to their health. AI may help us overcome these communication barriers, offering a more inclusive and patient-centric approach to healthcare.
Conclusions
“Science is not finished until it is communicated.”16 While the medical community has long cherished its specialized language for its precision and historical context, the ultimate measure of our success lies in our ability to convey knowledge, facilitate understanding, and impact patient outcomes.
As we advance into an era focusing more on inclusivity and accessibility, we must reassess our communicative practices. We should not fear dropping academic formality and embracing plain language. It does not reduce our profession’s rigour. It elevates its core purpose. AI tools may also help bridge the gap between medical knowledge and patient comprehension, ensuring that our scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for those we serve
References
1. Allen K, Charpentier V, Hendrickson M, et al. Jargon Be Gone – Patient Preference in Doctor Communication. J Patient Exp. 2023;10. doi:10.1177/23743735231158942
2. Cm C, C W, F W, D S. Babel babble: physicians’ use of unclarified medical jargon with patients. Am J Health Behav. 2007;31 Suppl 1. doi:10.5555/ajhb.2007.31.supp.S85
3. Gotlieb R, Praska C, Hendrickson MA, et al. Accuracy in Patient Understanding of Common Medical Phrases. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(11):e2242972. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.42972
4. Rau NM, Basir MA, Flynn KE. Parental understanding of crucial medical jargon used in prenatal prematurity counseling. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2020;20(1):169. doi:10.1186/s12911-020-01188-w
5. Maravelas R, Linneman Z, Marmet J, et al. Children’s Understanding of Commonly Used Medical Terminology. Pediatrics. Published online December 11, 2024:e2024067871. doi:10.1542/peds.2024-067871
6. Okunrintemi V, Spatz ES, Di Capua P, et al. Patient–Provider Communication and Health Outcomes Among Individuals With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the United States. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2017;10(4):e003635. doi:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.117.003635
7. The Lancet. The health illiteracy problem in the USA. The Lancet. 2009;374(9707):2028. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)62137-1
8. Charpentier V, Gotlieb R, Praska C, Hendrickson M, Pitt M, Marmet J. Say What? Quantifying and Classifying Jargon Use During Inpatient Rounds. Hosp Pediatr. 2021;11(4). doi:10.1542/hpeds.2020-002790
9. Warde F, Papadakos J, Papadakos T, Rodin D, Salhia M, Giuliani M. Plain language communication as a priority competency for medical professionals in a globalized world. Can Med Educ J. 2018;9(2):e52-e59.
10. Watermeyer J, Thwala Z, Beukes J. Medical Terminology in Intercultural Health Interactions. Health Commun. 2021;36(9):1115-1124. doi:10.1080/10410236.2020.1735700
11. Lindhiem O, Bennett CB, Trentacosta CJ, McLear C. Client preferences affect treatment satisfaction, completion, and clinical outcome: A meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2014;34(6):506-517. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2014.06.002
12. AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit. Accessed April 15, 2024. https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/improve/precautions/index.html
13. King A, Hoppe RB. “Best Practice” for Patient-Centered Communication: A Narrative Review. J Grad Med Educ. 2013;5(3):385-393. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-13-00072.1
14. ChatPDF – Chat with any PDF! Accessed June 10, 2024. https://www.chatpdf.com/
15. CallPDF. Accessed June 10, 2024. https://www.callpdf.ai/
16. King E. ‘Science is not finished until it’s communicated’ – UK chief scientist. Climate Home News. October 3, 2013. Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.climatechangenews.com/2013/10/03/science-is-not-finished-until-its-communicated-uk-chief-scientist/
