It's my experience that using "their" does not confuse patients at all
because it is how we talk. I have tested low lit materials using "their"
when "he/she" would have been grammatically correct. No one expressed
confusion. I have also read, although I can't remember where, that this
usage is no longer considered incorrect grammar. The only people who
question it are the well educated.

Our language is changing, and this is an example of that.

Kristina 



> From: "Davies, Nicola" <NDavies at dthr.ab.ca>

> Reply-To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List <healthliteracy at nifl.gov>

> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 14:40:07 -0600

> To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List <healthliteracy at nifl.gov>

> Conversation: [HealthLiteracy 1977] Fw: Guidance on remaining gender neurtral

> Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1979] Re: Fw: Guidance on remaining gender neurtral

> 

> wherever possible I use second person: you

> 

> So often I see examples like, "patients are encouraged to wash his or her

> hands" instead of "please wash your hands"

> 

> A lot of writers use "their" but that implies plural.

> 

> Nicola

> -----Original Message-----

> From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov

> [mailto:healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov]On Behalf Of

> Terri.Ades at cancer.org

> Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 9:51 AM

> To: healthliteracy at nifl.gov

> Subject: [HealthLiteracy 1977] Fw: Guidance on remaining gender neurtral

> 

> 

> 

> Our style guidelines require that we remain gender neutral. However, my

> sense is that when writing for an audience with very limited literacy

> skills, using "he or she" is not easily understood.  Suggestions would be

> greatly appreciated?

> 

> Terri Ades, MS, FNP-BC, AOCN

> Director, Cancer Information

> Health Promotions

> American Cancer Society

> 250 Williams Street

> Atlanta, GA 30303-1002

> 404-329-7785

> tades at cancer.org

> 

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