Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h4NEPOC18977; Fri, 23 May 2003 10:25:24 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 10:25:24 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <23B93141.4BCDC897.0BDE6788@aol.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: MarkH38514@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3988] Re: New research on use of medical v lay language X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 X-Mailer: Atlas Mailer 2.0 Status: O Content-Length: 1297 Lines: 19 There are a couple of interesting perspectives on this study. One is that research shows that about 2/3 of patients who go to the doctor have nothing wrong with them. Being given a medical diagnosis using medical terminology might help patients believe that they are sick, because their problems are described using medical terminology. And if they're truly sick, they can be treated like patients or sick family members, with all the care and attention that goes along with the patient role. How many stomach aches do kids have because they don't want to go to school? Plus, being given a medical diagnosis for some patients may take away their responsiblity for taking care of themselves, either in terms of prevention or treatment. People may feel more comfortable hearing that they've got a throat problem--not a smoking problem. Let the doctor "fix" the problem, probably with a prescription. But the research does present some interesting higlights on the meaning and function of medical language vs. plain language. I wonder if the same results would be found with US patients? Mark Hochhauser For more information: Mark Hochhauser, Ph.D. Readability Consultant 3344 Scott Avenue North Golden Valley, MN 55422 Phone: (763) 521-4672 Fax: (763) 521-5069 E-mail: MarkH38514@aol.com
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