How to explain a diagnosis to a patient?

From the Guidelines

When explaining a diagnosis to a patient, use clear and simple language, avoiding medical jargon, and tailor your communication style to the patient's educational level, cultural background, and emotional state, as recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncology consensus guideline 1. To effectively communicate with patients, it is essential to establish a baseline understanding of their condition by asking what they already know about their disease or treatment. Presenting the most important information first, using concrete examples and visual aids when possible, can help patients better comprehend their diagnosis. Breaking complex information into manageable chunks and checking for understanding frequently by asking the patient to repeat key points in their own words can also facilitate effective communication. Additionally, encouraging questions and providing written materials for reference after the conversation can empower patients to participate in their care. The American Society of Clinical Oncology consensus guideline 1 emphasizes the importance of collaboratively setting an agenda with the patient and exploring their understanding of their disease at the beginning of conversations. Similarly, the 2020 clinical practice guideline for Ménière's disease 1 highlights the importance of shared decision making and providing clear, understandable information regarding the disorder, symptomatology, lifestyle modifications, diagnostic testing, long-term risks, and psychological impact of the disease. By following these guidelines and prioritizing patient-centered communication, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, adherence to treatment plans, and overall quality of life. Key strategies for effective patient-clinician communication include:

• Avoiding unnecessary delays in providing information 1
• Communicating with consultants and others involved in the patient’s care to ensure coherent recommendations and information 1
• Using simple language tailored to the patient’s educational level 1
• Avoiding jargon and explaining medical terminology in lay language when necessary 1
• Providing information relevant to the patient’s goals and concerns 1
• Checking for understanding using a “teach back” or “talk back” method 1
• Assuring the patient that they are available to answer questions in the future 1

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Explaining a Diagnosis to a Patient

To effectively explain a diagnosis to a patient, several strategies can be employed:

• Personally greet the patient, introduce oneself, and engage in talk about clinical concerns before discussing next steps toward healthcare solutions 2
• Avoid using health-related jargon and ensure all messages are clear and simple 2, 3
• Use illustrations, such as black-white line drawn pictures, to assist in patient comprehension 2
• Assess what the patient knows about their illness and provide a short summary of what the patient conveyed 2
• Give additional information to help the patient learn more about their condition and become an active participant in making decisions 2
• Use open-ended questions to elicit the patient's agenda and engage in focused active listening 4
• Understand the patient's perspective of the illness and express empathy 4
• Before revealing a new diagnosis, assess the patient's prior knowledge and preferences for the depth of information desired 4

Communication Skills

Effective communication skills are crucial when explaining a diagnosis to a patient:

• Use non-jargon phrases, as they are understood significantly better than jargon phrases 3
• Provide information in small chunks using repeated cycles of the "ask-tell-ask" approach 4
• Use visual aids to enhance patient understanding 5
• Deliver core content about why to take medication and actionable messages about how to do so 6
• Regularly sum up and check patient understanding 6
• Communicate benefits and harms by including numbers, such as time periods, natural frequencies, and absolute figures 6

Patient-Centered Approach

A patient-centered approach is essential when explaining a diagnosis:

• Tailor patient education to meet individual needs 5
• Use universal health literacy precautions to provide understandable and accessible information to all patients 5
• Avoid medical jargon and break down information into small, concrete steps 5
• Limit the focus of a visit to three key points or tasks and assess for comprehension using the teach-back cycle 5