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Reconsidering ambiguous language in infectious disease consult recommendations.
Mitchell J Browne1, Ralph K Junckerstorff1,2, Allen C Cheng1,3
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, Vic, Australia.
Summary
Ambiguous language in infectious diseases (ID) consultations, often using "consider," significantly reduces adherence to medical recommendations. Clearer communication in ID consults is vital for patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Communication
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Infectious diseases (ID) consultations are known to improve patient outcomes.
- The impact of ambiguous language on adherence to ID recommendations requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if ambiguous language in ID consultations affects adherence to medical advice.
- To quantify the frequency of ambiguous language in ID recommendations and its association with adherence.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed 250 ID consultations across a hospital network.
- Ambiguous language was quantified, and its relationship with adherence was assessed using regression models.
- Factors like recommendation type, consultant seniority, and referring unit were adjusted for.
Main Results:
- 9.8% of 1087 recommendations contained ambiguous language, primarily "consider."
- Adherence to ambiguous recommendations (59.5%) was significantly lower than non-ambiguous ones (87.2%, p < 0.001).
- Ambiguous language was independently associated with reduced adherence (adjusted OR 0.16, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Ambiguous language is frequently used in infectious diseases consultations.
- Reduced adherence to recommendations is significantly associated with the use of ambiguous language in ID consults.
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