---
title: Do Your Patients Really Understand?
description: Recent research shows frequent use of medical jargon during patient visits.
image: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/hubfs/X2k5tprICLTuNDzy-stock_image.jpg
---

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# Practice Support Update Blog

## [Do Your Patients Really Understand?](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/do-your-patients-really-understand)

 Dec 8, 2021 3:00:00 PM / by [Leslie D McDowell, DNP, ANP-BC, RN](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/author/leslie-d-mcdowell-dnp-anp-bc-rn)

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A recent [study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738399121005620) of 87 primary care encounters found that providers used at least 1 type of medical jargon without explaining it to patients in nearly 80% of appointments, with an average of more than 4 uses of jargon per visit. Fewer than half of the terms were explained, and overall, providers used a jargon term about once every 4 minutes!

![X2k5tprICLTuNDzy-stock_image](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/X2k5tprICLTuNDzy-stock_image.jpg?width=300&name=X2k5tprICLTuNDzy-stock_image.jpg)

 

Fully understanding your explanation and instructions is vital to good patient outcomes, providers often [overestimate](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23345336/) what their patients grasp. 

What can you do? Try simple [Teach-Back](http://www.ihi.org/education/IHIOpenSchool/resources/Pages/AudioandVideo/ConnieDavis-WhatIsTeachBack.aspx).

Here's one pediatrician's experience:

 

| **Practice Experiences** "I decided to do teach-back on five patients. With one mother and her child, I concluded the visit by saying 'so tell me what you are going to do when you get home.'...She could not tell me what instructions I had just given her. I explained the instructions again and then she was able to teach them back to me… I had no idea she did not understand… I was so wrapped up in delivering the message that I did not realize it wasn't being received". |
| --- |

The teach-back and show-me methods are valuable tools for everyone to use with each patient and for all clinic staff to use. These methods can help you:

- Improve patient understanding and adherence.
- Decrease call backs and cancelled appointments.
- Improve patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Interested in learning even more? Check out [Health Literacy Universal Precautions from AHRQ](https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/improve/precautions/tool5.html)!

 

 

 Tags: [Primary Care](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/topic/primary-care), [communication](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/topic/communication), [patient care](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/topic/patient-care), [health literacy](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/topic/health-literacy), [outcomes](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/topic/outcomes)

![Leslie D McDowell, DNP, ANP-BC, RN](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Staff%20Photos/Leslie%20McDowell.png?width=100&height=100&name=Leslie%20McDowell.png)

#### Written by [Leslie D McDowell, DNP, ANP-BC, RN](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/author/leslie-d-mcdowell-dnp-anp-bc-rn)

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- [monoclonal antibodies (2)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/monoclonal-antibodies)
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- [sexually transmitted infections (2)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/sexually-transmitted-infections)
- [social justice (2)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/social-justice)
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- [#syphilis (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/syphilis)
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- [CAP (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/cap)
- [CNA (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/cna)
- [CSRS (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/csrs)
- [Case Management (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/case-management)
- [Community Health Worker (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/community-health-worker)
- [Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders-fasd)
- [Free and Charitable Clinics (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/free-and-charitable-clinics)
- [HEDIS (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/hedis)
- [HIPAA (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/hipaa)
- [Hardship Exception (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/hardship-exception)
- [Healthcare Insights (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/healthcare-insights)
- [Heart Health Now (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/heart-health-now)
- [ICD-10 (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/icd-10)
- [Keeping Kids Well (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/keeping-kids-well)
- [MVP (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/mvp)
- [Medicine (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/medicine)
- [NCPHC (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/ncphc)
- [Nc Health Choice (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/nc-health-choice)
- [Obstetrics (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/obstetrics)
- [PECOS (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/pecos)
- [PPE (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/ppe)
- [PTSD (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/ptsd)
- [Pfizer (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/pfizer)
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- [Relief Fund (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/relief-fund)
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- [STD Update (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/std-update)
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- [carolina access (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/carolina-access)
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- [health leadership (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/health-leadership)
- [healthcare (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/healthcare)
- [heart health (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/heart-health)
- [hepatitis (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/hepatitis)
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- [homeless (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/homeless)
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- [human trafficking (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/human-trafficking)
- [hypertension (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/hypertension)
- [implicit bias (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/implicit-bias)
- [infant formula (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/infant-formula)
- [infection (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/infection)
- [infectious disease (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/infectious-disease)
- [internet (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/internet)
- [intervention (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/intervention)
- [lantern (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/lantern)
- [lock your meds (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/lock-your-meds)
- [lung cancer (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/lung-cancer)
- [maternal health (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/maternal-health)
- [motivational interviewing (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/motivational-interviewing)
- [nc medical journal (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/nc-medical-journal)
- [oncology (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/oncology)
- [opioid (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/opioid)
- [oral health (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/oral-health)
- [outcomes (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/outcomes)
- [payer contracting (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/payer-contracting)
- [phishing (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/phishing)
- [physical therapy (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/physical-therapy)
- [physician assistant (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/physician-assistant)
- [prediabetes (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/prediabetes)
- [prior authorizations (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/prior-authorizations)
- [race (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/race)
- [referral (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/referral)
- [regulations (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/regulations)
- [remote patient monitoring (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/remote-patient-monitoring)
- [research (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/research)
- [respiratory care (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/respiratory-care)
- [rn refresher (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/rn-refresher)
- [safety (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/safety)
- [scope of practice (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/scope-of-practice)
- [shelter (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/shelter)
- [smoking (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/smoking)
- [support staff (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/support-staff)
- [surgery (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/surgery)
- [surgical services (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/surgical-services)
- [team based care (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/team-based-care)
- [therapy (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/therapy)
- [training (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/training)
- [transgender (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/transgender)
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- [trillium (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/trillium)
- [united healthcare (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/united-healthcare)
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- [winston-salem (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/winston-salem)
- [winter (1)](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/practicesupport/tag/winter)

See all

### In Case You Missed It... Check Out These Recent Posts

# About Us

The Northwest Area Health Education Center of Wake Forest University School of Medicine provides and supports educational activities and services with a focus on primary care in rural communities and those with less access to resources to recruit, train and retain the workforce needed to create a healthy North Carolina.

[Learn More](https://school.wakehealth.edu/Education-and-Training/Continuing-Professional-Education/Northwest-AHEC)

# Links

- [Course Catalog](http://nwahec.org/)
- [Join Our Email List](https://share.hsforms.com/16F72ZaBBRBqAda7M--9l9w4ewk6)
- [About Northwest AHEC](https://school.wakehealth.edu/education-and-training/continuing-professional-education/northwest-ahec)
- [Continuing Education Services](https://school.wakehealth.edu/education-and-training/continuing-professional-education/northwest-ahec/continuing-professional-development)
- [Contact Support](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/support)

# Contact Us

[ahecmktg@wakehealth.edu](mailto:ahecmktg@wakehealth.edu)

 Medical Center Boulevard  
 Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Copyright 2026 | Designed by [HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com)

<https://www.youtube.com/user/NorthwestAHEC?sub_confirmation=1><https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/rss.xml><https://www.linkedin.com/company/8087671><https://twitter.com/NorthwestAHEC><https://www.facebook.com/283682715601><https://www.instagram.com/northwestahec>

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