Use Of Simple Language Research Articles

Textbook of Obstetrics by JB Sharma

Textbook of Obstetrics by JB Sharma

The Use of Recommended Communication Techniques by Maryland Family Physicians and Pediatricians

BackgroundHealth literacy experts and the American Medical Association have developed recommended communication techniques for healthcare providers given that effective communication has been shown to greatly improve health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the number and types of communication techniques routinely used by Maryland physicians.MethodsIn 2010, a 30-item survey was mailed to a random sample of 1,472 Maryland family physicians and pediatricians, with 294 surveys being returned and usable. The survey contained questions about provider and practice characteristics, and 17 items related to communication techniques, including seven basic communication techniques. Physicians’ use of recommended communication techniques was analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and ordinary least squares regression.ResultsFamily physicians routinely used an average of 6.6 of the 17 total techniques and 3.3 of the seven basic techniques, whereas pediatricians routinely used 6.4 and 3.2 techniques, respectively. The use of simple language was the only technique that nearly all physicians routinely utilized (Family physicians, 91%; Pediatricians, 93%). Physicians who had taken a communications course used significantly more techniques than those who had not. Physicians with a low percentage of patients on Medicaid were significantly less likely to use the recommended communication techniques compared to those providers who had high proportion of their patient population on Medicaid.ConclusionsOverall, the use of recommended communication techniques was low. Additionally, many physicians were unsure of the effectiveness of several of the recommended techniques, which could suggest that physicians are unaware of valuable skills that could enhance their communication. The findings of this study suggest that communications training should be given a higher priority in the medical training process in the United States.

Family members’ experiences of the use of interpreters in healthcare

The aim was to explore adults' experiences of their family members' use of interpreters in health-care encounters. Language barriers are a major hindrance for migrants to receive appropriate healthcare. In a foreign country, family members often need support in care of migrant patients. No previous studies focusing on adult family members' experiences of the use of interpreters in healthcare have been found. A purposive sample of 10 adult family members with experiences of the use of interpreters in health-care encounters. Data were collected between May and September 2009 by focus-group interviews and analysed with qualitative analysis according to a method described for focus groups. Three categories emerged from the analysis: (1) Experiences of the use of professional interpreters, (2) Experiences of being used as an interpreter and (3) Experiences of what needs to be improved when using interpreters. The main findings showed no agreement in family members' experiences; interpretation should be individually and situationally adapted. However, when family members acted as interpreters, their role was to give both practical and emotional support, and this led to both positive and negative emotions. Use of simple language, better collaboration in the health-care organization and developing the interpreters' professional attitude could improve the use of professional interpreters. The type of interpreter, mode of interpretation and patient's preferences should be considered in the interpretation situation. In order to achieve high-quality healthcare, health-care professionals need to organize a good interpretation situation case-by-case, choose the appropriate interpreters with the patient in focus and cooperate with members of the patient's social network.

‘To make you see’: Screenwriting, description and the ‘lens-based’tradition

In this article I look at the descriptive writing in the screenplay, and link this to a tradition of ‘lens-based writing’, the precise visual description of phenomena observed through a lens for an audience unable to see what was described, which can be traced from the writing of Galileo and van Leeuwenhoek, through scientific and travel writing, to early fiction (with particular emphasis on Robinson Crusoe). I identify the most significant features of lens-based writing – the use of simple language and the separation of observation and deduction to communicate what has been seen through a simultaneous act of looking and framing, and show the similarities between this and screenwriting practice. I also make some observations about what this model can offer screenwriting research.

Family-centered rounds in Pakistani pediatric intensive care settings: Non-randomized pre- and post-study design

BackgroundInvolvement of family in bedside rounds is one strategy to implement family-centered care to help families get clear information about their child, and be actively involved in decision-making about care. However in developing countries such as Pakistan, daily bedside rounds include the physician, residents, medical students and a nurse/technician. Parents are not currently a part of these rounds. ObjectiveTo assess whether family-centered rounds improve parents’ and health care professionals’ satisfaction, decrease patient length of stay, and improve time utilization when compared to traditional practice rounds in a population with a low literacy rate, socioeconomic status, and different cultural values and beliefs. DesignA non-randomized before–after study design. SettingA private hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. ParticipantsA convenience sample of 82 parents, whose children were hospitalized for a minimum of 48h, and 25 health care professionals able to attend two consecutive rounds. MethodsDuring the before phase, traditional bedside rounds were practiced; and during after phase, family-centered rounds were practiced. Parents and health care professionals completed a questionnaire on the second day of rounds. An observational form facilitated data collection on length of stay and time utilization during. ResultsParents’ ratings during the family-centered rounds were significantly higher for some parental satisfaction items: evidence of team work (p=0.007), use of simple language during the rounds (p=0.002), feeling of inclusion in discussion at rounds (p=0.03), decision making (p=0.01), and preference for family-centered rounds (p=<0.001). No significant differences were found in health care professionals’ satisfaction between rounds. Patient length of stay was significantly reduced in the family-centered rounds group, while no significant difference was found in the duration of rounds. Family-centered rounds served as an opportunity for parents to correct/add to patient history or documentation. ConclusionParents were satisfied with both forms of rounds; however, they appeared to have a greater preference for family-centered rounds than health care professionals. Family-centered rounds were a resource for Pakistani parents, enabling direct communication with the medical team without impacting on the time required to complete rounds. Family-centered rounds may improve quality of care such as decreasing length of stay or preventing critical incidents.

Plain Style and Scientific Style: The Influence of the Puritan Plain Style Sermon on Early American Science Writers

Early American science writers used the Puritan plain style sermon as a readily available prose model. From the sermon they derived an organization divided into doctrine and uses, a format using sectional divisions and heads, the use of simple language, and a concern for the needs of their audiences. Essays on comets by two early American scientists, Samuel Danforth and John Winthrop, illustrate the sermon's influence. The doctrine and uses organization employed in these essays may be seen as analogous, in some senses, to the Results and Discussion organization of the modern research report.

Lumières et élitisme dans les manuscrits clandestins

Miguel Benitez : Enlightenment and elitism in clandestine works. The existence of clandestine literature indicates a desire to spread Enlightenment ; this desire is evident in the simple structure of these treatises, in the repeated attacks on obscure scholastic terminology and in the deliberate use of simple language. The Philosophe's duty was to teach the truth and he must write for the people. Yet we often find elitist declarations which cannot be explained by fear of persecution ; the belief that the people must be left in ignorance does not disappear as the century progresses, despite a relative liberalization of society. Apart from a radical minority, generally to be found in the first thirty years of the century, the aim of clandestine works was not to enlighten the people.

Recall of medical advice: comprehensibility and specificity.

Two laboratory experiments are described in which volunteer subjects read advice on how to develop self-control over eating behaviour. Formulating the communications in terms of specific instructions rather than general rules and the use of simple language as determined by a readability formula led to increased recall of the advice. These findings were confirmed in a naturalistic setting in which the same material was presented orally to patients receiving treatment for obesity. The results of these investigations are believed to have implications for improving communications between doctors and their patients and possibly for increasing the degree to which patients comply with medical recommendations.

Inter-Communication Teacher-Child-Parent-Public

Inter-communication demands the use of simple language, understood feelings and awareness to listen with a “third ear.”

The Elements of Euclid

THE editor of these Elements tells us in the preface that he has endeavoured to make the subject as easy as possible for beginners by the use of simple language, and by presenting the argument in the clearest form. Further, he has attempted to embody in the book, and with great success, the additions and improvements in statement and method which twelve years' experience as an examiner and teacher has shown to be desirable. Throughout the book Euclid's sequence of propositions has been maintained, but in many cases several well-known alternative proofs have been substituted for those of Euclid. In places where the student might experience difficulties fuller notes are added; and attached occasionally to propositions are others which it is important for the beginner to know. The appendix to the last book contains many interesting problems of theorems for more advanced students, and this is followed by a considerable number of miscellaneous exercises. Students and teachers should find this form of the Elements of Euclid of many respects serviceable.