MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (12/18/2024) — Published in Pediatrics , a new University of Minnesota Medical School study highlights how children interpret common medical phrases, revealing surprising — and sometimes alarming — misunderstandings.
The University of Minnesota's Clear Clinical Communication Research Group conducted a study at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair as part of their work to highlight how doctors often use terminology that confuses patients. They examined how children ages 4 to 12 understand commonly used phrases they may encounter in medical settings to identify gaps in comprehension that may cause fear or misunderstanding.
They found:
The research team recommends that health care professionals avoid jargon, use developmentally appropriate language, and check in frequently to confirm understanding.
"Unlike adults, kids may be less likely to speak up or seek clarification, meaning these misinterpretations can become their reality,” said Michael Pitt, MD , a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and pediatric hospitalist with M Health Fairview. “This is why it is so important for clinicians to use clear language — even for seemingly simple terms — to reduce fear and improve the child’s medical experience.”
Further studies are needed to explore the ideal phrasing of alternative terms and how developmental stages influence comprehension. The Clear Clinical Communication Research Group plans to conduct additional studies at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
This research was funded by the University of Minnesota Medical School Department of Pediatrics and the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [grant UL1TR002494].
PEDIATRICS
Survey
People
Children’s Understanding of Commonly Used Medical Terminology
11-Dec-2024
N/A