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Category: Patient communication

Explore our comprehensive collection of health articles in this category.

How Do You Describe a Pain Point? A Patient's Guide to Better Health Communication

4 min read
According to Northwestern Medicine, chronic pain affects over 76 million Americans, yet accurately communicating this personal and subjective experience can be challenging. To master **how do you describe a pain point**, you must go beyond simple adjectives and provide a comprehensive picture of your discomfort to help ensure an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

The Teach-Back Method: Which of the following is the best way to validate proper understanding of information given to the patient?

2 min read
According to studies, patients often forget up to 80% of the medical information they receive immediately after an appointment. This alarming statistic highlights the critical need for a reliable method to validate proper understanding of information given to the patient, with the evidence-based teach-back method emerging as the gold standard.

Understanding the Medical Vocabulary: What is a word for make more severe?

4 min read
According to Merriam-Webster, a precise word to make more severe, especially in a medical context, is “exacerbate”. Understanding the nuances of medical vocabulary is a critical step toward clearer communication with healthcare providers and a better grasp of one’s own health status. These terms move beyond simple descriptors, offering valuable insight into the progression of a condition or symptoms.

How Do You Write a Message to Your Doctor for Better Healthcare?

4 min read
With more than 90% of large health systems now offering patient portals, knowing **how do you write a message to your doctor** efficiently and clearly is essential for managing your health and accessing care. These tools can enhance communication, but crafting the right message is key to getting a timely and helpful response.

Unpacking the Meaning: What Do Pearls Stand for in Healthcare?

5 min read
In healthcare, the term 'pearls' does not refer to jewelry but rather to several distinct concepts, including a clinical communication mnemonic, a method for educational debriefing, and practical pieces of medical wisdom. The meaning of 'pearls' or 'PEARLS' depends entirely on the specific context in which it is used.

A Patient's Guide: What are the 7 features of every symptom?

5 min read
Accurate self-reporting of health issues is a critical step toward an effective medical diagnosis. To ensure you and your doctor are on the same page, it is essential to understand **what are the 7 features of every symptom?** By organizing your thoughts around these features, you can provide a clearer, more complete picture of your health concerns.

How do you explain symptoms and signs?

5 min read
According to the National Institute on Aging, clear communication about your symptoms and signs is one of the most important things you can do to get the best medical care. Understanding **how do you explain symptoms and signs** effectively is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding When and Why You Should You Tell Your Doctor Everything?

5 min read
According to a 2018 study published in the journal JAMA, nearly 80% of patients have, at some point, withheld information from their healthcare providers. This common behavior raises a critical question for patient safety and medical accuracy: Should you tell your doctor everything? The answer is a resounding 'yes,' and understanding why is key to becoming a more active and empowered partner in your own care.