by Paula Rapp

Created on: December 03, 2010

Have you ever been given a diagnosis or instructions by your physician only to nod in silent agreement without really understanding what they were saying?  Too often patients leave their doctor’s office unable to repeat or follow through with their prescribed medical plan. This problem often stems from the fact that physicians have a complicated technical language and have difficulty translating into pure layman’s terms. Even patients with advanced literacy skills and education are easily overwhelmed by complicated doctor language.

It is estimated by the Dept of Education that over 30 million people in the U.S. have limited health literacy.  This is a startling figure and one that must be addressed by patients and doctors alike. The definition of health literacy by the National Institute of Medicine is the patient's ability to understand health information and make good health decisions based on that knowledge. This inability to understand medical information directly influences patient's health outcomes.  Lack of understanding can impair seemingly simple activities such as filling out health questionnaires or stating health history details  and can even lead to confusion about medications, diagnoses and prevention measures. 

Managing personal medical history is extremely detailed and usually a long-term activity.  Patients may be trying to oversee daily blood sugar ranges, measure doses of medications and understand food labels as part of their chronic disease management.  Both parties must be responsible to improve patient's understanding of diagnosis, treatments and recommendations.  Physicians must strive to speak in plain English and be certain that the recipient fully understands the health issues at hand. 

To help improve your own health literacy there are strategies you can utilize at your next doctor's visit. 

 First, Always be organized!  Investigate www.greenpearhealth.com to learn how to be better prepared.

Ask Questions!  Do not be embarrassed to ask your physician for definitions. Say, "I do not understand that word or diagnosis, can you further explain?"  Ask for details in plain English.   It is the doctor's job to make sure that you understand all their instructions including the use of medications.

Repeat key points back to your doctor.  By performing this simple action, it demonstrates that you understand the statement and also helps you to remember more easily in the future. 

Take an Advocate!  Information received in the doctor's office is quickly forgotten.  Take a relative or friend to be your second set of ears. 

And always take Notes! 

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