The End of Scientific Jargon in Healthcare

Clear Communication in Healthcare: A Responsibility, Not a Luxury

Patients are often presented with medical information that is technically accurate but difficult to understand. Lab results, visit summaries, and clinical notes frequently contain specialized terms like HbA1c, erythrocyte, or edema, which serve professionals well but alienate many patients. This creates a communication gap that undermines trust, autonomy, and informed decision-making.

When faced with unfamiliar terms, patients often turn to online searches. These can be misleading or alarmist, especially when clinically insignificant variations are presented without context. The result is often confusion, unnecessary anxiety, and increased dependence on unreliable sources.

How AI Can Support Patient Understanding

An AI-enhanced healthcare portal can help bridge this gap by providing interactive, real-time support. For example, patients could hover over a medical term to see a plain-language explanation or choose how much detail they want to view. This kind of layered information respects different levels of health literacy and allows patients to engage on their own terms.

Contextualizing test results is especially important. Many patients misinterpret terms like “negative,” or assume any abnormal value is dangerous. An AI system could offer brief explanations such as, “This may reflect mild liver irritation, often caused by medication or diet. Your doctor will consider this alongside other findings.” Simple phrasing helps reduce stress and increases comprehension.

Post-visit documentation should follow the same principles. Technical language can be retained for reference, but automatically paired with plain-language rephrasing. When results are near clinical thresholds, the system could also offer preventive tips related to lifestyle or diet.

Equity Through Understanding

Communication is central to equitable healthcare. When information is inaccessible, patients are left guessing. Those already overwhelmed by the system may disengage entirely, especially if they face additional social or linguistic barriers.

Improving accessibility is not only feasible but necessary. It strengthens patient-provider relationships, reduces misinformation, and supports a more inclusive healthcare system. Tools that promote understanding are not optional enhancements. They are essential to ensuring that healthcare serves everyone, regardless of background or education.

Warmly,

Riikka