News
Patients prefer “medical labels” to lay language, study finds
BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7399.1105-b (Published 22 May 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:1105- Roger Dobson
- Abergavenny
GPs need to watch their language when they are diagnosing what's wrong with a patient. Although health professionals are being encouraged to use lay language to improve communication in consultations, patients may actually prefer medical terminology, a new study says.
Patients see a medical label such as gastroenteritis as an assurance that their problem has been taken more seriously, while the equivalent lay label, stomach …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.