How do I say that?

December 17, 2015   |   Evidence in Integrative Healthcare

In the world of healthcare, it can be challenging to communicate certain concepts using language that is universally understood.  For the benefit of the non-expert public, it is best to use short sentences, an active voice and everyday words and pronouns when appropriate. The Center for Disease Control has produced a guide entitled Everyday Words for Public Health Communication which can assist in the process of creating jargon-free, easy-to-understand documents for everyday communication. This concept should extend to verbal communication as well. As an example, a healthcare provider might say, “The treatment methods we recommend for your condition are evidence-based”. This can be replaced with everyday words such as, “The treatment methods we recommend for your condition have been shown to work”.