“A new study sheds light on how children interpret common medical terms, uncovering surprising and at times concerning misunderstandings”.
The Clear Clinical Communication Research Group at the University of Minnesota conducted a study at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair to explore how doctors’ use of terminology can confuse patients. They focused on how children ages 4 to 12 interpret common medical phrases they might encounter, aiming to identify gaps in understanding that could lead to fear or misinterpretation.
Their findings revealed:
- Understanding varied depending on the phrase, with children demonstrating high comprehension of terms like “negative test results” (e.g., for Covid-19 or strep throat) but struggling with phrases such as “transfer to the floor” (17%) or “surgery will come to see you” (8%).
- Misunderstandings frequently arose from literal interpretations of words, with children, for example, thinking that a CAT scan involved real cats.
- Incorrect responses varied from harmless to potentially distressing. For instance, some children interpreted being told they would be “put to sleep” for surgery as they had been told about their pet, believing it meant they would never wake up.
The research team advises healthcare
professionals to steer clear of jargon, use language
suited to the child’s developmental level,
and regularly check for understanding.
“Children, unlike adults, may be less likely to speak up or seek clarification, meaning these misunderstandings can become their reality,” said Michael Pitt, MD, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and pediatric hospitalist at M Health Fairview.
Additional research is needed to determine the best way to phrase alternative terms and how developmental stages impact comprehension. The Clear Clinical Communication Research Group plans to carry out further studies at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
This underscores the importance of clinicians using clear language even for seemingly straightforward terms to alleviate fear and enhance the child’s medical experience.
Michael Pitt
