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Nonprofit Cites 10 Common Errors Medical Professionals Make When Communicating With Their Patients

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 August 2008, 15:01 CDT

Pointing to the increasing cost -- as much as $236 billion in unnecessary health care expenses annually due to the inability of patients to understand what medical providers are communicating to them -- the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) has created a new list of the ten most common errors providers make when communicating with patients.

"To help Americans use our health care resources more effectively, providers must communicate clearly to their patients, including the nearly one in two adults with low reading skills," said Gloria Mayer, R.N., Ed.D., president and CEO of the La Habra, Calif.-based IHA. "Instead of using medical-speak we need to write medical materials at the 3rd to 5th grade reading level."

Dr. Mayer reasons that by doing so, the country would be able to decrease the incidence of negative medical outcomes, unnecessary extra visits to the physician and crowded hospital emergency rooms.

As a guide for both healthcare professionals and consumers, IHA has formulated the following 2008 list.

10 Most Common Errors Medical Professionals Make When Communicating with Their Patients

  1.  Creating prescription drug instructions that are written at 11th grade      reading level or higher, rather than 5th grade reading, the level      at which the majority of the country's population reads  2.  Communicating in medical jargon when it's not necessary. For instance,      using terms like "otitis media" and "myocardial infarction" instead of      "ear ache" and "heart attack" when informing patients of their      condition unnecessarily complicates clear communication  3.  Sending patients to the Internet as a means of better explaining      instructions and follow-up care. This is a problem when medical      professionals may be sending patients to sites that provide      information that is not in agreement with their advice, or when it is      not clear the patient has access to the Internet  4.  Handing out reading material that is printed in a font size too small      for the patient -- particularly seniors, the country's largest patient      population -- to read. Type should be at least 12 point with adequate      leading (space between lines)  5.  Not using simple visuals for medical instruction which can enhance      patient understanding. Graphics should demonstrate and explain      concepts in the text, and should never be abstract or for ornamental      purposes only  6.  Not recognizing that a patient's response of "yes" or a simple nod      might mean the patient is merely being polite but actually does not      understand what they have just been told. Providers should ask      patients to explain to them in their own words, or "teach back," the      concepts just discussed, so the provider is certain the patient      understands  7.  Failing to demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in patient      encounters. Many cultures have different norms than those of the      provider, and these norms should be honored wherever possible  8.  Talking too quickly to the patient and not allowing time for the      patient to ask questions in response  9.  Not providing medical information in the patient's first language 10.  Not taking time to explain the meaning of prescription bottle labels      such as "TAKE WITH FOOD." Studies show that even simple labels such as      this, written at a 1st or 2nd grade reading level, are not understood      universally as people have stuffed pills into solid foods and then      eaten the food without liquid 

The Institute for Healthcare Advancement is a La Habra-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering people to better health. The Institute is nationally recognized for its efforts in health literacy and provides healthcare information through its various publishing efforts, the Internet, and its renowned local and national education programs. Today, its "What to Do for Health" self-help health book series written at a 3rd to 5th grade reading level, including its groundbreaking "What to Do When Your Child Gets Sick," has sold more than 2 million copies. For more information, please go to www.iha4health.org, or call toll-free (800) 434-4633.

 Editorial Contacts: Marilyn Haese or Daryn Teague Haese & Wood Marketing (310) 556-9612 mhaese@haesewood.com

SOURCE: Institute for Healthcare Advancement

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