How to Avoid Medical Jargon in Health and Social Care

How to Avoid Medical Jargon in Health and Social Care

Clear communication is crucial in health and social care. When professionals use medical jargon, it can confuse people and cause distress. Avoiding unnecessary technical language helps to build trust, improve understanding, and make sure that care is person-centred. This guide will explain how to avoid medical jargon in health and social care and ensure that conversations are clear, respectful, and effective.

What Is Medical Jargon?

Medical jargon refers to specialised words, terms, or phrases used by healthcare professionals. These terms often describe medical conditions, treatments, procedures, or systems. While such language may be useful when professionals communicate with each other, it can create barriers when used with the public or patients.

For example, a doctor may say “myocardial infarction” instead of “heart attack,” or use “hypertension” instead of “high blood pressure.” Many people may not understand these terms, which can lead to confusion and anxiety.

Why Avoiding Medical Jargon Matters

Using plain English instead of jargon has several benefits:

• People feel respected and included in conversations about their care.
• It reduces the risk of misunderstanding important information.
• It builds trust and strengthens relationships between professionals and service users.
• People are more likely to follow medical advice if they clearly understand it.

Everyone has the right to understand the care and support they receive. Avoiding jargon allows people to make informed decisions about their health.

Ways to Avoid Medical Jargon

There are simple but effective ways to simplify language in health and social care settings. Let’s explore these approaches in detail.

Speak in Everyday Language

Plain English is vital. Avoid using technical or medical terms where possible. Instead, use words the person you are speaking to is more likely to understand.

For example:

• Instead of “hypertension,” say “high blood pressure.”
• Replace “acute” with a phrase like “sudden or severe.”
• Use “x-ray” rather than “radiography.”

If you must use a medical term, explain what it means. For instance:
“We’re scheduling an echocardiogram – that’s a scan of your heart.”

Avoid Using Abbreviations

Abbreviations and acronyms can confuse people. Common examples include ECG, MRI, and DVT. These are clear to professionals but may be meaningless to patients.

Always use the full term first, followed by a brief explanation. For example:
“We need to do an MRI scan, which uses magnetic waves to create images of your body.”

Check the Person’s Understanding

Ask open-ended questions to make sure the person understands what you’re saying. For example:

• “Does that make sense to you?”
• “Can I run through anything again?”
• “What would you like to know more about?”

This allows the person to clarify anything they don’t understand. It also reassures them that it’s okay to ask questions.

Use Analogies or Comparisons

Sometimes it helps to explain medical concepts by comparing them with everyday experiences. For example:

• Instead of “anaemia,” you could say, “Your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells, like a car running low on fuel.”
• Explain blocked arteries as “like a clogged pipe in a sink.”

Analogies can turn a complex idea into something familiar and easier to understand.

Be Mindful of the Person’s Background

Different people may have different levels of health literacy. This means some people may know more about medical topics than others. Factors such as age, education, cultural background, and language skills can affect how much they understand.

Adjust your communication style to suit the person. Think about their specific needs and use language they are likely to relate to.

Avoid Overloading with Information

Too much information at one time can overwhelm people. This is especially true if they’re feeling unwell, stressed, or anxious. Break things down into smaller chunks and allow time for questions or pauses.

For example:

• Instead of giving a long explanation of the entire treatment process, explain one step at a time.
• Use simple instructions, e.g., “Take one tablet after breakfast each day.”

Provide Written Information

Some people may find it easier to understand written information, especially if they’re taking in a lot of details. Make sure written materials are clear, simple, and easy to read:

• Use short sentences and avoid jargon.
• Consider bullet points for readability.
• Include diagrams or pictures if they help explain something.

Written information gives people something to refer back to later. It’s also useful for family members or carers who may be supporting them.

Be Patient and Listen

Listening is just as important as speaking. Give the person time to process what you’re saying and ask questions. Avoid rushing the conversation.

If the person seems confused or unsure, go back and try explaining again in a different way. Patience helps build trust and shows that you value their understanding.

Role of Training in Avoiding Jargon

Healthcare organisations can train staff to improve communication skills. Training might include:

• Learning to identify and avoid jargon.
• Practising how to explain medical terms in plain English.
• Understanding how to adapt communication based on the audience.

Feedback from patients or service users can also help staff to recognise when their language may not be clear.

Examples of Simplified Communication

Let’s compare examples of jargon-heavy language with simpler alternatives:

• Jargon: “You need to take the medication b.i.d.”
  Plain English: “You need to take the medication twice a day.”
• Jargon: “We’re conducting a biopsy to analyse the tissue.”
  Plain English: “We’ll take a small sample of tissue to look at it closely.”
• Jargon: “The MRI showed a lesion on the liver.”
  Plain English: “The scan showed there’s a spot on your liver.”

Every time you simplify your language, you help reduce confusion and anxiety for the person you’re speaking to.

Recognising Common Jargon Words

Below are some examples of common medical terms and their plain English explanations:

• Hypertension – High blood pressure
• Oedema – Swelling caused by fluid buildup
• Renal – Relating to the kidneys
• Prognosis – The likely outcome of a condition
• Lesion – A sore or abnormal area on the body

Being aware of terms like these and having plain English versions ready can make communication quicker and clearer.

Respect and Empathy in Communication

It’s not just about what you say but also how you say it. Speak with warmth and kindness, and avoid making people feel uncomfortable for asking questions.

Remember, stressful situations, such as illness, can affect people’s ability to take in information. Approach every conversation with empathy and patience.

The Wider Impact of Clear Communication

Avoiding medical jargon has broader benefits beyond the individual patient:

• Families and carers can better support loved ones when they understand the situation.
• Staff across different disciplines or specialities can work together more effectively.
• Organisational outcomes improve when people are fully informed and engaged in their care.

Final Thoughts

Speaking in plain English benefits everyone. It makes healthcare more accessible and reduces stress for people receiving care. If you’re unsure about how your language is coming across, ask for feedback or check your message has been understood.

Good communication is about building connections with people. Avoiding jargon helps to create an open, positive environment where everyone feels informed and involved.