You're trying to explain a complex medical issue to a patient. How can you make sure they understand it?

As a doctor, ensuring patients understand complex medical issues is essential for informed decision-making and optimal healthcare outcomes. To achieve this, I employ several strategies rooted in empathy and effective communication. Firstly, I humanize the conversation by creating a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions and expressing concerns. I use plain language and avoid medical jargon, breaking down complex concepts into digestible chunks. Additionally, I encourage patients to actively participate in the discussion, inviting them to summarize key points or ask clarifying questions.

Assess prior knowledge. Do not overdo it and overwhelm clients. Accept that some people need all the information one can provide. Write down or print off conversations because it is easy to foget.

This is a tough task indeed, especially in case of illiterate or semi-literate patients in the developing world. Both doctors and the patient facing operational staff have concurrent responsibility. Sometimes, language is a major barrier. Staff prudent in the vernacular and the local customs and traditions can better explain the medical condition and its best line of treatment. Financial counseling teams too have a major role in this. Sometimes, co-morbidities have a compound impact on the potential treatment and outcomes. This needs to be properly explained. Building the right patient trust by compassionate handling of sensitive medical issues ensure favourable rapport & outcomes.

That's exactly right! captureing the key points for explaining complex medical issues clearly is a skill. Speak plainly: Ditch the medical jargon and explain things in everyday language. Chunk it down: Break down the information into bite-sized pieces for easier digestion. Show it, don't just say it: Use diagrams, models, or even sketches to illustrate what's happening. Check in: Make sure your patient understands by asking them to explain things back in their own words. Be patient: Go at the patient's pace, answer their questions, and acknowledge their emotions.

Listening to the patients and allowing them to tell their story in detail gives both, the insight to the level of knowledge they have regarding their condition as well as the amount of medical language they are familiar with. That might be a good base for preparing the medical information sheet that we want them to have and understand. Next step would be to go through the information sheet together with the patient and then finally ask the patient to repeat in their own words what they have just read and understood.

It is essential to use simple language and deconstruct concepts into small bits. This takes some thought and trial and error. Go slow. Teach back is the ultimate test of comprehension. “Tell me, when you go home how will you explain this to your spouse/partner/family.” Above all avoid jargon. Jargon just creates more to explain. I tell my students and residents that when I hear them use jargon I hear fingernails scratching a blackboard! Finally, reflect on how it went and consider how to do it better next time. Simple language, small bits, go slow, teach back and no jargon.

I agree that it is important to use simple language. I am also a huge fan of metaphors, as they make the contect oftenly way more tangible. Think of a thrombosis for example. Talking about "thrombocytes" won't be as effective as explaining the incident with the picture of a tube of water in which a tennis-ball got stuck and now blocks the flow.

I think Shared Decision Making is based on a patient with the trust and courage to ask questions. You might be the best story teller in the world, there is always something that patients did not understand, process or they simply forgot it by the next conversation. Thus, the only sustainable way to a well educated patient is encouraging him/her to ask questions and talk about his fears, desires and questions with the healthcare professional he/she is seeing.

I know that these summaries are often seen as something annoying given the fact that "Dr. Google" provides a lot of missinformation. Going through 28 bullet points with your HCP is taking a lot of time. But I think having a written summary is very helpful - mabye not on paper, but on your smartphone. This way, you can quickly cross-off the questions that have been answered already and postpone questions for the next time, too.

Navigating complex medical discussions with patients is a cornerstone of healthcare. My approach is straightforward: simplify, visualize, and confirm understanding. I break down intricate terms into everyday language, use relatable analogies, and employ visual aids. Most importantly, I encourage questions and use teach-back methods to ensure clarity. It’s not just about informing—it’s about empowering patients to be active participants in their health journey.