U.K. doctors advised to avoid using jargon for a more patient-centred care approach

The guidance from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is telling doctors to reduce the use of medical jargon when communicating with patients. RCP believes this will also encourage patients to take more control of their care plans. The patient-centred care guidance encourages doctors to:

• Ask patients about their priorities and worries;
• Invite carers and relatives into the conversation with the support of the patient; and
• Encourage a shared decision about the best treatment plan for each individual.

The guidance was a collaboration between doctors and the RCP’s Patient and Carer Network and builds upon patient-empowering initiatives such as #hellomynameis and What matters to me today.