Medical writing is a specialised form of writing that requires a high level of technical expertise and precision. However, it’s important to remember that the ultimate goal of medical writing is to communicate important information about health and medicine to a diverse audience, including patients, healthcare professionals, and the general public. That’s why communicating in clear, plain language in medical writing is so important.
Medical Jargon: What’s the Problem?
Medical jargon is a common problem in the healthcare industry. While healthcare professionals may understand complex medical terms and abbreviations, patients and the general public may find them confusing and intimidating. Using plain language in medical writing can help bridge this gap in understanding and improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients.
As a medical writer, I have often struggled to write articles free of medical jargon. Despite my best efforts, I write articles in Microsoft Word and often encounter a sea of curly red underlines. These underlines indicate that the software has flagged medical terminology and jargon, making it clear that my language was too technical for the intended audience.
Why Plain Language is Critical in Medical Writing
Medical jargon can often create confusion and make it difficult for patients to understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis. When medical information is conveyed in simple language that patients can understand, they can better make informed decisions about their health and take an active role in their care. This can lead to better health outcomes and overall patient satisfaction. As a real-world example, instead of writing “myocardial infarction” in a medical report, a plain language alternative would be “heart attack“. This simple change can significantly affect how well patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options.
But plain language isn’t just important for patient communication – it’s also crucial for healthcare professionals. In a busy hospital or clinic setting, medical professionals need to be able to quickly and easily understand medical reports and other documentation. Writing in plain language ensures critical information is communicated clearly and efficiently. In turn, this helps avoid misunderstandings and medical errors.
The Role of Medical Writers in Using Plain Language
Medical writers play a critical role in ensuring that medical information is communicated clearly and effectively. They are responsible for translating complex medical concepts and terminology into plain language that their target audience can easily understand.
Medical writers must also be familiar with regulatory requirements and guidelines that must be followed when writing about medical topics.
Navigating the Use of Medical Jargon in Medical Writing
One way to overcome this challenge is to prioritise the intended audience’s needs when writing medical content. This means understanding the level of knowledge and familiarity with medical terms that the audience has and adjusting the language accordingly. For example, when writing for patients, it’s important to use easily understandable language, avoiding medical jargon and complex technical terms. On the other hand, medical terminology and jargon may be more appropriate when writing for healthcare professionals, as they have a deeper understanding of medical language and concepts.
Medical writers must work closely with subject-matter experts (SMEs) to ensure accuracy and clarity in medical terminology. SMEs can provide valuable input on technical terms and help ensure the language is appropriate for the intended audience.
Summing Up
Medical terminology can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and even medical errors. That’s why using plain language is crucial. It improves communication and ensures that essential health information is accessible to everyone. In this context, medical writers play a critical role by translating complex medical concepts and terminology into easily understandable language.
Moreover, medical writing is an integral part of the healthcare industry and is critical in advancing medical knowledge and research. By using clear and concise language, medical writers can facilitate the dissemination of important medical information. This helps healthcare professionals and researchers understand and apply the latest findings. Ultimately, it can lead to the development of new treatments and therapies, benefiting patients and the broader healthcare community.
As medical writers, our primary responsibility is to make medical information accessible to everyone. Using plain language is a crucial step in achieving this goal.
bluRB.Digital Can Help You Use Plain Language in Medical Writing
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