How to explain a diagnosis to a patient?

From the Guidelines

When explaining a diagnosis to a patient, it's essential to use clear, simple language, avoid medical jargon, and tailor the explanation to the patient's education level, cultural background, and emotional state, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. To achieve this, start by asking the patient what they already understand about their condition to establish a baseline, as suggested by 1 and 1. This collaborative approach helps set an agenda for the conversation and ensures that the patient's concerns and questions are addressed. Present information in small chunks, using analogies or visual aids when appropriate, to make complex concepts more accessible, as outlined in 1. For example, explaining the diagnosis in terms of what it is rather than saying what it is not, using simple and relatable language, such as "the symptoms are caused by abnormal brain functioning rather than structural damage or disease" 1. Confirm understanding by asking patients to repeat key information in their own words, using a "teach back" or "talk back" method, as recommended by 1. This approach helps ensure that the patient has grasped the essential information and can apply it to their care. Some key points to consider when explaining a diagnosis 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, avoiding jargon and explaining medical terminology in lay language when necessary 1
• Providing information relevant to the patient's goals and avoiding information overload by presenting information in small doses and checking for comprehension 1
• Assuring the patient that you are available to answer questions in the future and including family members or caregivers in discussions when the patient consents 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