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Published on: August 1, 2017
Medical communication: do our patients understand?
E B Lerner1, D V Jehle, D M Janicke
1Department of Emergency Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA. lerner@acsu.buffalo.edu
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|December 5, 2000
Summary
Many patients misunderstand common medical terms. Understanding of medical terminology is lower in younger, urban, and less educated individuals, highlighting the need for clear patient communication.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Literacy
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Effective communication between healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients is crucial for quality care.
- Patient comprehension of medical terminology can significantly impact adherence to treatment and health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess emergency department (ED) patients' understanding of common medical terms used by HCPs.
- To identify demographic factors associated with comprehension levels of medical terminology.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 249 non-urgent ED patients (age >18) at urban and suburban hospitals.
- Patients were tested on their understanding of six pairs of medical terms (analogous and non-analogous).
- Multiple linear regression analysis examined relationships between test scores and age, sex, hospital site, education, and income.
Main Results:
- The mean correct response score was 2.8 out of 6.
- High percentages of patients misunderstood analogous terms: bleeding/hemorrhage (79%), broken bone/fractured bone (78%), heart attack/myocardial infarction (74%).
- Higher test scores correlated significantly with older age, higher education levels, and suburban hospital site.
Conclusions:
- Medical terminology is frequently misunderstood by patients, particularly younger, urban, and less educated individuals.
- Healthcare providers should prioritize clear explanations of medical terms, even common ones, to improve patient understanding.
- Improving health literacy in emergency settings is essential for better patient engagement and outcomes.
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