Patient Understanding of Medical Terminology
Date of Graduation
Spring 2000
Degree
Master of Science in Nursing
Department
Nursing
Committee Chair
Kathryn Hope
Abstract
A descriptive study in which fifty adult patients in a small, rural, mid-western hospital were surveyed by a 50-item multiple choice questionnaire to examine patient understanding of common medical terminology. The structured questionnaires were administered and evaluated to determine if there was a significant difference between medical staff or patients' perceived knowledge and the patients' actual knowledge of medical terminology. A statistically significant difference was found between medical staff expected patient understanding and actual patient understanding. The independent variables of education and self-perceived knowledge were found to be significant predictors of actual patient understanding. Identification of a deficit in patient understanding could prompt the development of nursing school and health care staff educational programs directed toward increasing awareness and promoting the development of effective communication techniques and patient education methods.
Subject Categories
Nursing
Copyright
© Mina Higgins
Recommended Citation
Higgins, Mina, "Patient Understanding of Medical Terminology" (2000). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 887.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/887
Dissertation/Thesis
