Can a patient explain medical concepts in simple language?

Clinicians Must Explain Medical Concepts to Patients in Simple Language

Clinicians—not patients—bear the responsibility to communicate medical information using plain, simple language tailored to each patient's educational level and health literacy. This is a fundamental principle of effective patient-clinician communication and shared decision-making across all medical specialties.

Core Communication Principles

Use of Plain Language is Mandatory

• Clinicians must use simple language tailored to the patient's educational level, recognizing that even intelligent, well-educated patients may have low health care literacy 1.
• Avoid medical jargon entirely (such as "response rate" or "positive test result") and explain in lay language when medical terminology must be used 1.
• Provide information in plain, colloquial language to circumvent consequences of low health literacy and limited background knowledge 1.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology emphasizes that a patient may be intelligent and well educated but still struggle with healthcare-specific terminology, making plain language essential regardless of general education level 1.

Verification of Patient Understanding

• Use the "teach back" or "talk back" method by asking patients to explain information in their own words, such as "In your own words, what does this mean to you?" or "What will you tell your family about what we discussed?" 1.
• Check for comprehension frequently by providing information in small doses and stopping regularly to assess understanding 1.
• Ask patients to state their understanding after explanations to verify comprehension and minimize miscommunication risk 2.

This approach ensures that patients have genuinely grasped the information rather than simply nodding along.

Specific Communication Strategies

• Break complex sentences into multiple short sentences to improve comprehension 1.
• Provide a limited amount of information at each visit to avoid information overload 1.
• Explain procedures and activities before performing them using simple language 1.
• Orient patients to what will be discussed and why before launching into medical information 1.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Medical Terminology Overuse

Research demonstrates that clinicians have a propensity to use both explained and unexplained medical terms, with residents using medical acronyms in 52% of patient interactions and technical terms in 66% of cases—yet explaining them in only 28% of instances 3. This represents a critical communication failure.

Assumptions About Patient Knowledge

• Never assume patients understand common medical terms—studies show only 25% of the public correctly understands "emphysema," 33% understand "erythrocyte sedimentation rate," and 21% fail to understand simple medication orders like "one tablet twice a day" 4.
• Younger patients (ages 16-24), those with lower socioeconomic status, and less educated individuals require more careful explanation of medical terms 4.

Language Barriers

• Professional interpreter services must be used rather than family members or friends to ensure accuracy and reduce coercive influence 2.
• Document the exact type of interpreter service utilized (video or telephone) 2.
• Use simple, clear sentences and pause frequently to allow for interpretation 2.

Implementation in Clinical Practice

Before the Visit

• Orient yourself to the patient's understanding and concerns by asking what they already know and what they want to know 1.
• Consider using previsit patient-reported outcomes and question prompt lists to identify patient priorities 1.

During the Visit

• Provide information that is relevant to what the patient wants to know and aligned with their goals 1.
• Take extra time to listen to patients' questions and concerns 1.
• Supplement verbal information with materials such as stories, pictures, or accessible written materials 1.

After Information Delivery

• Document important discussions in the medical record, including the patient's verbalized understanding 1, 2.
• Assure patients you are available to answer future questions 1.

Special Populations Requiring Enhanced Communication

Particular attention must be paid to patients subject to healthcare disparities: low-income patients in rural areas, older adults, immigrants, and those with documented low health literacy 1. These populations face the greatest risk of miscommunication and adverse outcomes from inadequate explanation of medical concepts.