Patient Communication and Medical Terms

Communication with Patients

• Importance of Using Lay Terms

  • Using lay terms over medical terminology helps ensure patients understand their conditions, treatments, and procedures.

  • Effective communication builds trust and promotes better health outcomes.

Building a Knowledge Base

• Familiarize Yourself with Common Lay Terms Related to Medical Terms

  • Developing a knowledge base of lay terms is crucial for effective interaction with patients.

  • Example terms relating to common medical conditions include:

Medical Terms and Their Lay Equivalents

• Swelling

  • Medical Term: Edema

  • Lay Term: Swelling

• CT Scan / CAT Scan

  • Medical Term: Computed Tomography

  • Lay Term: CT Scan or CAT Scan

• Prime Therapy

  • Lay Term: Freezing off

• Abdomen

  • Lay Term: Stomach

• Tachycardia

  • Medical Term: Fast heart rate

  • Lay Term: Heart beating fast, heart racing

• Bradycardia

  • Medical Term: Low heart rate

  • Lay Term: Heart beating slow

• Hyperglycemia

  • Medical Term: High blood sugar

  • Lay Term: High blood sugar

• Hypoglycemia

  • Medical Term: Low blood sugar

  • Lay Term: Low blood sugar

• GERD

  • Medical Term: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

  • Lay Term: Heartburn

• Shortness of Breath

  • Lay Term: Trouble breathing

• Phalanges

  • Medical Term: Phalanges

  • Lay Term: Fingers and toes

• Arrhythmia

  • Medical Term: Irregular heart rhythm

  • Lay Term: Irregular heartbeat

• Erythrocytes

  • Medical Term: Red blood cells

• Vertigo

  • Medical Term: Vertigo

  • Lay Term: Dizziness, room spinning

• Syncope

  • Medical Term: Syncope

  • Lay Term: Fainting or temporary loss of consciousness

• Deep Vein Thrombosis

  • Medical Term: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

  • Lay Term: Blood clot

• Osteoarthritis

  • Medical Term: Osteoarthritis

  • Lay Term: Wear and tear in the joints

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

  • Medical Term: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

  • Lay Term: Lou Gehrig's disease

Definitions of Key Terms

• Bradycardia:

  • Medical: Heart rate less than 60 beats per minute.

  • Lay: Heart rate is slower than normal.

• Tachycardia:

  • Medical: Heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute.

  • Lay: Heart rate is faster than normal.

Conclusion

• Mastering lay terms equips healthcare professionals to communicate effectively, ensuring that patients are well-informed about their health conditions and treatment options.