Last updated on Jul 8, 2024

A patient is struggling with complex medical information. How can you provide the support they need?

Navigating the maze of medical jargon and intricate healthcare information can be daunting for anyone, especially if you're already under the stress of managing a health condition. You might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, the complexity of the choices you face, and the implications each decision carries for your health and wellbeing. Patient advocacy, a crucial skill in healthcare, involves supporting and empowering patients to understand and make informed decisions about their care. As a patient advocate, you'll play a vital role in translating medical speak into plain language, guiding through the healthcare system, and ensuring that the patient's voice is heard and valued in their care journey.

1 Simplify Terms

When faced with complex medical terms, it's essential to break them down into more digestible language. Imagine you're explaining a concept to a friend without a medical background. Use analogies and simple comparisons to make the information relatable. For example, if you're discussing "hypertension," compare it to a garden hose with too much water pressure, which can put stress on the hose just like high blood pressure can stress arteries.

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2 Visual Aids

Utilize visual aids such as diagrams, charts, or videos to convey information that words alone might not fully express. A picture can often communicate what paragraphs of text cannot. If you're explaining how a medication works, for example, a diagram showing the drug's action at the cellular level might clarify its purpose and effects more effectively than a verbal description.

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3 Repeat Key Points

Repetition is a powerful tool for understanding. By reiterating key points in different ways, you help reinforce the information. If you're discussing treatment options, go over each one multiple times, summarizing the pros and cons. This repetition helps ensure that the patient retains the critical information needed to make an informed decision.

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4 Encourage Questions

Create an environment where questions are encouraged. Reassure that no question is too small or silly. This encourages active participation and can lead to a deeper understanding of their health condition and treatment. If discussing a diagnosis, prompt for questions after sharing each piece of information to address any confusion immediately.

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5 Follow-Up Support

Offer follow-up support to revisit complex information after it has had time to sink in. Sometimes, questions arise after processing the initial conversation. Schedule a follow-up appointment or call to go over any new concerns or questions that might have emerged. This ongoing support is crucial for managing long-term conditions or treatments with multiple steps or stages.

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Charlene Preys

Project Manager & Research Genetic Counselor with Genomes2Veterans
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Often times, when a medical professional discloses emotionally charging information to a patient, there is not enough time for the patient to process the information and ask questions. Following up 2-7 days later is helpful for those patients who need a beat to consider the information, generate a list of their questions, and determine what exactly it is they need for support. Real-time support is not always helpful for patients. Give them a minute, and follow up days later.

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6 Empower Decision-Making

Ultimately, your goal is to empower patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Provide them with all the necessary information, support, and time they need to arrive at a decision they are comfortable with. Remind them that they are the ones in control of their health journey and that their values and preferences are central to any decision made.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Charlene Preys

Project Manager & Research Genetic Counselor with Genomes2Veterans
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Silence is a powerful tool. Not all silence needs to be filled with words of support, or information, especially when communicating difficult information. Let the patient process real time with you by offering them the silence and space to do so. Give them the space to ask questions, voice their thoughts, or discuss concerns if they so choose - offering silence invites them to do so, if they so choose.

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A patient is struggling with complex medical information. How can you provide the support they need?

1

2

3

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5

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1 Simplify Terms

2 Visual Aids

3 Repeat Key Points

4 Encourage Questions

5 Follow-Up Support

6 Empower Decision-Making

7 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

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A patient is struggling with complex medical information. How can you provide the support they need?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Simplify Terms

2 Visual Aids

3 Repeat Key Points

4 Encourage Questions

5 Follow-Up Support

6 Empower Decision-Making

7 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

Rate this article

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