Patient Understanding of Medical Terminology

Author

Mina Higgins

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

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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