🩺 The Importance of Translators for Doctors: Ensuring Effective Medical Communication

In contemporary healthcare, the capacity to communicate effectively with patients is as essential as medical expertise and surgical abilities. Regrettably, numerous healthcare professionals inadvertently encounter a major hurdle called the “curse of knowledge” — a cognitive bias that makes it challenging for specialists to recall what it’s like to lack their understanding. Within the realm of medicine, this results in difficulties articulating intricate medical ideas in accessible terms for patients. Heather Hansen, a veteran medical malpractice attorney turned communications expert, emphasizes that healthcare providers must master the art of translating medical jargon to enhance patient care, cultivate trust, and mitigate legal risks.

This article delves into Hansen’s perspectives shared in a recent episode of The Podcast by KevinMD, stressing the pressing necessity for physicians to modify their language, establish trust, and create more significant connections with patients.

Understanding the Curse of Knowledge and Its Effect on Patient Comprehension

Heather Hansen characterizes the “curse of knowledge” as the inherent inclination of doctors to presume that others — particularly their patients — grasp medical concepts as they do. After extensive training and experience, phrases such as “osteomyelitis,” “fetal monitoring,” or “CABG” become instinctive to medical professionals. Conversely, patients frequently find such jargon daunting and perplexing, which can result in anxiety, non-compliance, negative outcomes, and even legal disputes.

With over 25 years of defending healthcare workers in legal settings, Hansen understands the ramifications of miscommunication leading to lawsuits. She observes that most jurors or plaintiffs — akin to patients — don’t think in medical terminologies and require straightforward, relatable explanations. Her courtroom experiences, where she simplified medical language during trials, lead her to believe that physicians must adopt a similar approach in clinical settings.

The Necessity for Doctors to Act as Translators

In a study referenced during Hansen’s discussion, it was revealed that merely 2% of orthopedic patient educational materials are accessible at a sixth-grade reading level. This disconnect establishes a gap between doctors and patients, undermining trust. To overcome this challenge, Hansen advocates that physicians should communicate based on three foundational principles:

1. Be Inquisitive
Instead of simply asking, “Do you understand?” doctors should pose open-ended questions like “What do you comprehend so far?” or “Can you share what this signifies for you?” This encourages patients to voice their uncertainties and allows providers to clarify any misconceptions. Physicians should also seek input from support staff — including nurses and administrative teams — on how patients are interpreting the information shared.

2. Be Kind
Effective communication is an act of compassion. Hansen differentiates between two kinds of empathy: cognitive (intellectually grasping someone else’s experience) and emotional. While emotional empathy may not always be necessary for doctors (as it can lead to burnout), cognitive empathy is crucial for customizing interactions to enhance understanding.

3. Establish Credibility
Through Hansen’s concept of the “Belief Triangle,” she suggests that patients need to:
– Trust you (integrity and reliability).
– Trust in your abilities (your qualifications and expertise).
– Trust that you can assist them (linking your knowledge to their individual goals and outcomes).

Mastering these concepts can enhance patient satisfaction and adherence, lessen misunderstandings, reduce liability, and foster a more authentic rapport between doctor and patient.

Practical Strategies for Enhancing Communication in Clinical Settings

Many physicians fear that simplifying their language or investing more time with patients will disrupt their busy schedules. Hansen counters this apprehension with pragmatic strategies intended to facilitate communication without substantially increasing time demands:

– Slow down: Studies indicate that patients typically speak for only 1–3 minutes when uninterrupted. Allowing them space to express themselves builds rapport and uncovers critical information.
– Mind your tone: A gentle tone, deliberate tempo, and approachable body language can strengthen trust.
– Utilize metaphors and analogies: Connect clinical scenarios to familiar experiences (e.g., “Your artery resembles a blocked pipe”).
– Ask, “What does a successful outcome look like for you?” This question reveals patient values, guiding care decisions around what is most significant to the individual.
– Engage in perspective exercises: Hansen suggests an activity where one draws the letter “E” on their forehead. Whether it faces the observer or the listener indicates how well you are considering another’s viewpoint.

AI as a Medical Translator: Ally or Adversary?

AI resources like Microsoft Dragon Copilot are transforming healthcare processes by alleviating administrative burdens and providing instant transcription and data extraction solutions. Hansen acknowledges AI’s ability to serve as a translator — particularly when technology can clarify medical documentation in language understandable to a fifth-grader.

Nonetheless, she does not perceive AI as a substitute for physician-patient communication. While it may help in summarization, the essential human component of translation — connecting, empathizing, and establishing trust — is best achieved in person. Providers should regard AI as a tool to support, not replace, empathetic communication.

Cultivating a Culture of Communication

The healthcare system frequently prioritizes efficiency over empathy — shorter appointments, increased patient volume, and rapid documentation. These limitations pose challenges to implementing Hansen’s recommendations, but