When it comes to helping a patient, communication is key. Health outcomes are directly influenced by the clarity of actionable information that you provide to a patient. It has reached the point that limited health literacy is considered a hidden epidemic. It is not only technical medical terminology that is problematic, it is also common words presented in a healthcare context that can cause confusion.
These misunderstandings may have severe consequences. Take the word inflammable, for example. The prefix in- is used as an intensifier. The safety concern arises because people associate the prefix in- with negation, like the word inexpensive denoting not expensive. This confusion has lead to safety concerns, so much so that flammable has become the standardized word on safety labels.
There is a need to convey complex written and verbal information in the healthcare system. It is essential that the information is easily understood, with common terms explained in simple, relatable ways. Visuals can also be a useful tool to share information with a patient.
It is important to remember that low health care literacy affects everyone including those with low literacy. Patients, who may be extremely literate in their own areas of expertise, may have a problem understanding medical terminology.
The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) hascategorized common words that are problematic. They have divided the words into the following four categories:
- Medical words
- Value judgement words
- Concept words
- Category words
The NPSF has produced this list of commonly confused words from each category.
Medical Word Examples: Words frequently used by doctors and in health care instructions.
|
Problem Word |
Alternative Words |
|
Ailment |
Sickness, illness, problem with your health |
|
Benign |
Will not cause harm; is not cancer |
|
Condition |
How you feel; health problems |
|
Dysfunction |
Problem |
|
Inhibitor |
Drug that stops something that is bad for you |
|
Intermittent |
Off and on |
|
Lesion |
Wound; sore; infected patch of skin |
|
Oral |
By mouth |
|
Procedure |
Something done to treat your problems; operation |
|
Vertigo |
Dizziness |
Value Judgment Word Examples: Words that may need an example or visual to convey clear meaning.
|
Problem Word |
Alternative Words |
|
Adequate |
Enough |
|
Adjust |
Fine-tune; change |
|
Cautiously |
With care; slowly |
|
Excessive |
Too much |
|
Increase Gradually |
Add to |
|
Moderately |
Not too much |
|
Progressive |
Gets worse (or better) |
|
Routinely |
Often |
|
Significantly |
Enough to make a difference |
|
Temporary |
For a limited time; for about (an hour, day…) Example: for less than a week |
Concept Word Examples: Words used to describe an idea, metaphor, or notion.
|
Problem Word |
Alternative Words |
|
Active Role |
Taking part in |
|
Avoid |
Stay away from; do not use (or eat) |
|
Collaborate |
Work together |
|
Factor |
Other thing |
|
Gauge |
Measure; get a better idea of; test (dependent on context) |
|
Intake |
What you eat or drink; what goes into your body |
|
Landmark |
Very important (adj.) Important event; turning point (n.) |
|
Option |
Choice |
|
Referral |
Ask you to see another doctor; get a second opinion |
|
Wellness |
Good health; feeling good |
Category Word Examples: Words that describe a group or sub-set, and may be unfamiliar.
|
Problem Word |
Alternative Words |
|
Activity |
Something you do; something you do often, like driving a car |
|
Adverse (reaction) |
Bad |
|
Cognitive |
Learning; thinking |
|
Hazardous |
Not safe; dangerous |
|
High-intensity exercise |
Use an example, such as running |
|
Generic |
Product sold without a brand name, like ibuprofen (Advil is a brand name) |
|
Noncancerous |
Not cancer |
|
Poultry |
Chicken, turkey, etc. |
|
Prosthesis |
Replacement body part, such as a man-made arm |
|
Support |
Help with your needs – for money, friendship, or care |
2Ascribe Inc. is a medical transcription services agency located in Toronto, Ontario Canada, providing medical transcription services to physicians, clinics and other healthcare providers across Canada and the US. Having recently introduced WEBscribe, a client interface portal for document management, 2Ascribe continues to implement and develop technology to assist and improve the transcription process for physicians and other healthcare providers. As a service to our clients and the healthcare industry, 2Ascribe offers articles of interest to physicians and other healthcare professionals, medical transcriptionists and office staff, as well as of general interest.
