Medical terms used by doctors often baffling to patients
Medical terms used by some doctors to describe cancer tumors or X-rays could be confusing to patients, a new survey finds.
The words some doctors use are often misunderstood by patients and their families, leaving them feeling confused and vulnerable, according to researchers.
In a study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Network Open, University of Minnesota researchers found that the language doctors often use tends not to translate easily into everyday English.
A positive test result, for example, generally suggests something negative: A disease like Covid, for example, has been detected.
The disconnect in terms has long bothered Dr. Michael Pitt, associate residency program director in the department of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota. He teaches medical students how to communicate effectively with their patients and their families.
"You could be the smartest doctor in the world, yet you're useless if your patients don't understand what you are saying," Pitt said. "It's always driven me nuts."
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