TY - JOUR
T1 - Jargon Be Gone – Patient Preference in Doctor Communication
AU - Allen, Katherine A.
AU - Charpentier, Victoria
AU - Hendrickson, Marissa A.
AU - Kessler, Molly
AU - Gotlieb, Rachael
AU - Marmet, Jordan
AU - Hause, Emily
AU - Praska, Corinne
AU - Lunos, Scott
AU - Pitt, Michael B.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2023/1/1
Y1 - 2023/1/1
N2 - While it has been shown that healthcare providers often use medical jargon, less is known about how patients prefer their clinicians communicate. This mixed-methods study aimed to better understand the general public's preference in healthcare communication. A volunteer cohort of 205 adult attendees at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair was presented a survey with two scenarios at a doctor's office sharing the same information: one using medical terminology and one using simpler, jargon-free language. Survey participants were asked which doctor they preferred, to describe each doctor, and to explain why they believe that doctors may use medical terminology. Common descriptive themes for the jargon-using doctor included that this doctor caused confusion, was too technical, and was uncaring, while the doctor who spoke without jargon was perceived as a good communicator, caring/empathetic, and approachable. Respondents perceived a range of reasons why doctors use jargon, from not recognizing they are using words that are not understood to trying to make themselves feel more important. Overall, 91% of survey respondents preferred the doctor who communicated without medical jargon.
AB - While it has been shown that healthcare providers often use medical jargon, less is known about how patients prefer their clinicians communicate. This mixed-methods study aimed to better understand the general public's preference in healthcare communication. A volunteer cohort of 205 adult attendees at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair was presented a survey with two scenarios at a doctor's office sharing the same information: one using medical terminology and one using simpler, jargon-free language. Survey participants were asked which doctor they preferred, to describe each doctor, and to explain why they believe that doctors may use medical terminology. Common descriptive themes for the jargon-using doctor included that this doctor caused confusion, was too technical, and was uncaring, while the doctor who spoke without jargon was perceived as a good communicator, caring/empathetic, and approachable. Respondents perceived a range of reasons why doctors use jargon, from not recognizing they are using words that are not understood to trying to make themselves feel more important. Overall, 91% of survey respondents preferred the doctor who communicated without medical jargon.
KW - communication
KW - doctor preference
KW - medical jargon
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85150012502&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85150012502&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/23743735231158942
DO - 10.1177/23743735231158942
M3 - Article
C2 - 36873911
AN - SCOPUS:85150012502
SN - 2374-3735
VL - 10
JO - Journal of Patient Experience
JF - Journal of Patient Experience
ER -