By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Conservatives: The Utah Health Exchange is Not a Model
    July 23, 2011
    Medical Malpractice Reform Losing Physician Support
    November 7, 2011
    Hospitals Aim to Apply Direct Payments of Care Delivery to Increase Resources
    August 28, 2012
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Six Tips for Happier Patients and a Healthier Bottom Line
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Six Tips for Happier Patients and a Healthier Bottom Line
Public HealthWellness

Six Tips for Happier Patients and a Healthier Bottom Line

CraigF
Last updated: March 26, 2016 12:00 pm
CraigF
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Want Happier Patients and a Healthier Bottom Line?

Try these 6 tips for clearer communication.

Laughing (and groaning) at horribly complicated health-related TV commercials is one of my favorite pastimes. You know the ones …

EARNEST DOCTOR IN LAB COAT: Our multidisciplinary clinical oncology committee considers the optimal combination of treatment protocols to maximize efficacy of available therapies and generate positive outcomes while guiding each patient through the continuum of care.

Want Happier Patients and a Healthier Bottom Line?

Try these 6 tips for clearer communication.

Laughing (and groaning) at horribly complicated health-related TV commercials is one of my favorite pastimes. You know the ones …

EARNEST DOCTOR IN LAB COAT: Our multidisciplinary clinical oncology committee considers the optimal combination of treatment protocols to maximize efficacy of available therapies and generate positive outcomes while guiding each patient through the continuum of care.

What’s up, (TV) doc? You look smart and you sound smart, but I have no idea what you just said.

Why don’t they use words regular people can understand? Maybe something like, “We get our smartest people together. We talk about the best ways to treat each patient’s cancer. Then, we help them decide what to do and how to do it.”

That, I understand.

Cancer is scary. So are diabetes, heart problems, depression and all other serious health challenges. Slinging a multisyllabic mess of med-speak at the masses isn’t going to put them at ease. If you want them to choose you instead of the guys down the street, show them you know how to use words they can understand.

And it’s not just for selling services. Health literate communication, the ironically complicated term for it, is good for lots of things.

Population health, for example.

Want to help people with diabetes being discharged from your hospital do a better job of staying healthy so you don’t have to readmit them again in two weeks? Of course you do. So, don’t send them home with a flier telling them to (not making this one up, by the way),  “Achieve ≥150 min/week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (50%-70% max heart rate), spread over ≥3 days/week with no more than 2 consecutive days without exercise.”

That looks like math, sounds like work, and makes people feel stupid.

Instead, suggest something like: “Get in the habit of doing fun and active things that get your heart pumping faster than usual. Take a walk or a swim. Try a yoga DVD. Plant some flowers. Or do something else active that you enjoy. Start small if you need to. Ten or 15 minutes at a time is great at first. Then, work your way up to 30 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week. Try to never go more than 2 days without doing something active.”

That makes sense, doesn’t sound horrible, and they now know exactly what to do.

And, they might actually do it.

If you’re ready to stop stupefying and start simplifying, apply these rules to everything you write or say:

  1. Organize information so the most important points come first
  2. Break complex information into understandable chunks
  3. Use bullet points when needed (like now, for example)
  4. Use the simplest language you can
  5. Define technical terms if you have to use them
  6. Be direct and concise

You should also download and read the “Quick Guide to Health Literacy,” from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It’s full of great ideas and it’s free at health.gov.

FAST TALKING ANNOUNCER: Health literate communication is indicated for conveying complicated medical information to general audiences. Use only as directed. Do not operate heavy machinery until you know how health literate communication affects you. Side effects may include happier patients and a healthier bottom line.

Think your communication could be more health literate? Contact Wax Custom Communications for a free evaluation. Call 305-350-5700 or visit www.waxcom.com today.

TAGGED:patient communication
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Wellness

4 Ways to Halt Testosterone Problems After 40

August 10, 2017
Image
eHealthHome HealthMedical InnovationsMobile Health

Healthcare without Boundaries: Video Solutions

March 8, 2013
BusinessMedical DevicesMedical InnovationsMobile HealthNewsPublic HealthSocial Media

HIT Innovation Founder Stories:Jakob Jønck, Co-Founder, Endomondo

March 20, 2012
Image
Public Health

Rare Form of Dwarfism Protects against Cancer, Diabetes

March 28, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?