Learn how medical jargon affects patient care, regardless of language and background, and what can be done to bridge the communication gap.
Ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling more confused than when you arrived? Perhaps you didn’t quite understand a diagnosis or the side effects of a medication. If so, you’re not alone.
A survey conducted by healthcare education provider PatientPoint reveals some eye-opening stats:
- 33% of respondents report they “always” or “often” leave doctor’s appointments feeling perplexed.
- 46% say they “always” or “often” feel apprehensive about asking their healthcare provider about their health condition or symptoms.
Jargon and acronyms used by medical professionals are confusing, even intimidating, to patients. They create a disconnect between them, leading to misunderstandings and compromising patient care.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how addressing this issue is key to ensuring that every patient receives the best treatment, regardless of language proficiency.
When medical jargon fails
Even for those fluent in a language, medical jargon can be a confounding code. Here are two stories shared by doctors about serious (albeit humorous) miscommunications with patients:
- One day I told a wife that her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct. Not more than five minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest of the family that he had died of a “massive internal fart.”
- While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I asked, “How long have you been bedridden?” After a look of complete confusion, she answered, “Why, not for about twenty years – when my husband was alive.”
The fact is, medical professionals unknowingly use confusing terminology. On this note, a study by the University of Minnesota Medical School revealed that patients often misunderstand common medical phrases, such as:
- Negative cancer screening: 96% understood it meant no cancer, but only 67% knew “positive” lymph nodes were bad.
- Tumor progressing: 21% thought it was good news.
- Impressive X-ray: 79% believed it was positive news, while “impressive” means a doctor is concerned about the results.
- Occult infection: Only 2% understood it meant a hidden infection; others thought it referred to witchcraft.
How language barriers influence patient-physician encounters
Consider this example from a medical record:
Pt presents w/ SOB, HTN, and B/L LE edema. PMH significant for DM, CKD, and CAD s/p CABG. Plan: admit to ICU, start IV Lasix, monitor I/O, r/o PE, CHF exacerbation.
This never-ending list of acronyms translates to:
The patient presents with shortness of breath, high blood pressure, and bilateral lower extremity swelling. The patient’s past medical history includes diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass grafting. The plan is to admit the patient to the intensive care unit, start intravenous Lasix, monitor input and output, and rule out a pulmonary embolism and congestive heart failure exacerbation.
This kind of medical lingo is not just a problem for the 30 million Americans with limited English proficiency (as per 2023 US Census data). Studies show that 90 million native English speakers have trouble making sense of healthcare texts. And that includes college graduates and professionals!
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) confirms: understanding typical health information goes beyond the average American’s abilities. Health care is a world with its own language, different from everyday communication; for instance, a health dictionary alone may have 40,000-45,000 entries!
Plus, healthcare is influenced by various factors like reimbursement practices, local policies, and even technology. This creates a confusing web for patients to navigate.
So, why do medical professionals use jargon?
There are three main reasons why physicians, nurses, and patient care technicians often rely on jargon.
- Habit: Healthcare providers become used to medical terminology and find it challenging to switch to simpler language.
- Assumptions: Providers may assume that patients understand medical terms.
- Efficiency: In emergency situations, using acronyms can save valuable time.
This isn’t to say that medical jargon doesn’t have its place. But focusing on clear communication throughout patient interactions would improve understanding.
What stops patients from voicing their confusion during medical appointments?
Patients may refrain from asking questions for several reasons:
- Not wanting to waste time: Hospitals are busy, and patients feel that asking questions may inconvenience their providers.
- Fear of appearing ignorant: The knowledge gap between patients and healthcare professionals can be daunting. So much so that patients worry about being perceived as uninformed.
To make matters worse, studies show that about 1 in 5 patients suffer from a phenomenon called white-coat syndrome. Imagine you’re nervous about getting a shot or a check-up, and your heart starts racing.
That’s what white-coat syndrome is all about. People get anxious or nervous when visiting the doctor’s office. And this anxiety can cause their blood pressure to spike higher than it normally is. The result? Patients may become distracted and have trouble remembering or understanding what doctors say.
How can the communication gap be addressed?
The healthcare system can feel like a foreign land for many patients. Luckily, medical education is catching on. Future doctors are now learning about cultural differences in how people understand illness, interact with healthcare staff, and make decisions.
These skills in overcoming language barriers are valuable for communicating with all patients. By listening attentively and adjusting their communication style, doctors can make a big difference. This ensures everyone feels understood and empowered on their healthcare journey.
But achieving clear communication requires a multi-faceted approach. Here are some suggestions for healthcare facilities and providers:
- Healthcare facilities should assess the language needs of their patient populations.
- Healthcare providers should make a conscious effort to speak in plain language.
- Educating patients about their health conditions a language they understand.
- Investing in telehealth platforms with built-in translation and interpretation features, especially in underserved areas.
- Partnering with professional language service providers to ensure access to high-quality interpretation and translation services.
At Montero Language Services, we specialize in bridging communication gaps. Our team of medical translators and interpreters can help you break down complex messages for diverse audiences. Learn more about our life science language services.
