Healthcare Provider Analogies as Memorable Messages

Healthcare providers must explain medical information to patients in a way that patients can understand. Provider use of analogies is one strategy that may help patients better understand medical information. The present study, guided by a memorable message framework, investigated whether participants remembered any analogies used by their healthcare providers, and included a content analysis of the function the analogies served, the types of analogies participants remembered, and the body systems associated with the health issues that were described. Almost one-quarter of participants recalled an analogy used by a provider. The most frequently recalled analogies functioned to describe health conditions or phenomena, followed by elements of the body, and treatments or something external to the body. Analogies were most frequently used to describe health issues associated with the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, dental, eye, or skin issues, or the nervous system. The analogies were categorized as mechanical, a feeling or experience, random object, structure, food, nature, war/battle, or medical/body. Provider analogies may be a type of memorable message for some patients. Providers could consider using suitable analogies to explain health issues when communicating with patients, and be trained in effective use of analogies.