Overcoming the curse of knowledge: Why doctors need to translate medicine

The Podcast by KevinMD

Communications consultant and attorney Heather Hansen discusses her article, "Why every doctor needs a translator." Drawing on her background as a medical malpractice defense attorney, she explains the "curse of knowledge," where physicians, once expert, find it difficult to imagine not knowing complex medical information, leading to communication barriers with patients. Heather argues that doctors must become effective "translators" of medical jargon into plain language, noting that research found only two percent of sample orthopedic patient materials met sixth-grade readability standards. She presents a three-step process for physicians to overcome this challenge: Be Curious (actively ask patients what they understand, not just if, and involve staff), Be Compassionate (use curiosity to truly see from the patient's perspective, recognizing clear communication is kind), and Build Credibility (explain the 'why' behind instructions clearly to foster trust and belief). Heather contends that mastering this "translation" skill improves patient outcomes, strengthens relationships, reduces legal risk, and can even lessen physician burnout.

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