Mastering Information

Research or medical glossaries help simplify language, better communicate your work  

At the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences’ 4th Annual Symposium, “Making an Impact, Shaping the Future,”  panelist Dr. L. Ebony Boulware, vice dean for translational science research at Duke University, emphasized the need to speak a common language, especially when working with community members and research participants. While this isn’t always an easy task, it  [Read more]

Mastering Information

Commit to using plain language in the new year

Have you wondered how to improve the documents and forms your department shares with research participants and patients? Plain language is one of the best tools to ensure your writing is clear and accessible to all. Research shows it can increase research participation, improve adherence, and overall, lead to better health outcomes.  A few of  [Read more]

Mastering Information

Keep it simple when communicating about COVID-19

In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the general public has been asked to learn many public health terms. “Novel virus,” “social distancing” and “contact tracing” are now part of our everyday language. Meanwhile, we know that the average adult struggles to understand health information. But it is even more complex when communicating about a  [Read more]

Announcements

It’s Health Literacy Month – Be a Health Literacy Hero!

Nine out of 10 adults struggle to understand and use health information when it is unfamiliar, complex and contains jargon. Limited health literacy costs the health care system money and results in higher-than-necessary morbidity and mortality. Yet ensuring patient materials and consent forms use plain, easily understood language sometimes falls through the cracks for busy  [Read more]

Announcements

Health Literacy & Communication Roundup – March 2017

Patient portals are increasingly popular, but can patients understand the content? Check out this study that used the CDC's Clear Communication Index to measure the clarity of content on patient portals. If you're already sharing information on patient portals, ask how our Health Literacy & Plain Language Services can help you create easy-to-read materials to reach  [Read more]