I’m going to share some of what I’ve learned about taking really complicated scientific stuff and turning it into medical instructions that anyone can understand. It’s a big deal because researchers often talk in terms of p-values and genetic codes, but regular people just need to know simple things like when to take their medicine, why changing their lifestyle is important, or what a certain symptom actually means.
As writers, our job isn’t just to make things simpler, it’s to totally transform them. We have to take really complex biology, tricky statistics, and the way medicines work, and turn them into instructions that are super clear, make people feel in control, and actually help them live better. This is my guide for how to do that.
Why Being Clear is So Important: It’s Not Just About Understanding
Think about someone with diabetes getting instructions on how to manage their blood sugar. If the language is full of complicated medical terms, statistical numbers, or biochemical pathways, they’re probably not going to follow it very well. Misunderstanding can lead to bad outcomes, problems, and a loss of trust in their doctors. But if the instructions are clear, short, and kind, people will understand better, feel more in control, and generally be healthier. This isn’t just about patients understanding; it’s about keeping them safe and making sure new medical discoveries actually help people. The human impact here is huge.
Breaking Down the Complexity: It’s an Art
Before you can make something easy to understand, you first have to really get how complex it is. This means systematically taking the scientific concept apart.
1. Find the Main Ideas, Not Every Single Detail: In any scientific paper or medical guide, there will be key findings and lots of supporting information. Your first task is to be really strict and find the 2-3 main things that a person absolutely must understand for the instructions to be useful. For example, if it’s about a new cancer treatment, the key thing for a patient isn’t the specific technical details of how it works inside the cells, but rather how the treatment activates their own immune system and what side effects they might experience.
- For example: Instead of explaining “T-cell receptor affinity maturation via somatic hypermutation,” focus on “Your body’s immune cells will learn to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.”
2. Figure Out “So What?”: Focus on the Impact, Not Just How It Works: Patients don’t need a medical degree; they need to know what the science means for them personally. Every piece of scientific info you come across should be filtered through this question: “So what does this mean for the patient’s health, their symptoms, their treatment, or their long-term outlook?”
- For example: Instead of lots of details about “the pharmacodynamics of beta-blockers influencing calcium channel channel activity in myocardial cells,” explain “This medication works by slowing down your heart rate and making your heart beat with less force, which can lower your blood pressure.”
3. Recognize What the Reader Doesn’t Know and Address It: Never assume people have a basic medical knowledge. A good exercise is to make a list of every specialized term or concept you find, then imagine how a regular person might understand (or misunderstand) it. This will help you plan how to simplify things.
- For example: A term like “acute onset” might be clear to a doctor, but a patient might think “acute” means severe, not sudden. Your explanation should make it clear: “Symptoms that start suddenly.”
The Words We Use: Crafting Language That Connects
Making language accessible isn’t just about avoiding jargon; it’s about picking words that resonate, clarify, and leave no room for confusion.
1. Use Everyday Words First: If there’s a common, everyday word for a scientific term, use it. This is the simplest yet most powerful rule.
- For example:
- Instead of “hypertension,” use “high blood pressure.”
- Instead of “edema,” use “swelling.”
- Instead of “gastric lavage,” use “stomach pumping.”
- Instead of “myocardial infarction,” use “heart attack.”
2. Demystify Medical Abbreviations and Acronyms: Acronyms are shortcuts for experts, but they’re roadblocks for everyone else. If you absolutely have to use an acronym (like for shorter mentions later), always explain it clearly the first time you use it. Even better, just don’t use them.
- For example: Instead of “CHF exacerbation due to fluid overload,” write “Worsening heart failure caused by too much fluid in the body.” If you must use “CHF,” introduce it as “Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).”
3. Use Active Voice and Talk Directly to the Reader: Active voice is clear and direct. Talking directly to the reader (“you”) makes the information personal and easy to act on. Passive voice often creates distance and can make it unclear who is doing something or who is affected.
- For example:
- Passive: “The medication should be taken by the patient.”
- Active/Direct: “Take this medication once a day.”
4. Frame Things Positively and Don’t Overuse Negatives: While sometimes you have to say “Do not eat grapefruit,” constantly telling people what not to do can be discouraging and hard to remember. Rephrase whenever possible to focus on what to do.
- For example:
- Instead of: “Do not deviate from the prescribed dosage, and do not stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor.”
- Use: “Always take the exact dose your doctor prescribed. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.”
5. Use Analogies and Metaphors (But Be Careful): Analogies can bridge understanding powerfully, but they need to be simple, something everyone understands, and they shouldn’t add more confusion or be inaccurate. Always test them out.
- For example: To explain how a vaccine works: “Think of your immune system as a security guard for your body. A vaccine is like showing the security guard a ‘mugshot’ of a virus so they can recognize and stop it if it ever tries to enter your body.”
Structuring for Understanding: How to Arrange Your Information
How you present information is just as important as the information itself. Good structure prevents people from feeling overwhelmed and guides the reader smoothly.
1. Start with the “Why”: Explain the Purpose: Patients are more likely to follow instructions if they understand why they’re important and how they’ll benefit. Begin with a short, clear explanation of why these instructions matter.
- For example: “Following these steps is crucial for controlling your blood pressure, which can prevent serious problems like heart attack and stroke.”
2. Break Information into Logical Chunks (Headings and Bullet Points): Big blocks of text are overwhelming and hard to process. Break down instructions into easy-to-read, separate sections using clear headings and subheadings. Bullet points are great for lists of actions, symptoms, or things to be careful about.
- Here’s an example structure:
- Understanding Your Medication
- How To Take [Medication Name]
- When to Take It
- What Dose to Take
- With or Without Food?
- What To Expect (Side Effects)
- When To Call Your Doctor
3. Use Numbered Steps for Things That Happen in Order: For tasks that must be done in a specific sequence, numbered lists are much better than bullet points, which suggest items that don’t necessarily have an order.
- For example (Insulin Injection):
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Check the insulin vial for any cloudiness or particles.
- Clean the top of the vial with an alcohol swab.
- Draw air into your syringe equal to your dose.
- Inject the air into the insulin vial.
- Invert the vial and withdraw your prescribed dose of insulin.
4. Use Visual Cues: Bold Text, Italics (Sparingly): Using bold text strategically can draw attention to really important information (like medication names or warning signs). Italics can emphasize a single word or phrase. If you use them too much, they lose their impact.
- For example: “If you experience sudden chest pain or difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately.”
5. Put the Most Important Information First: The most critical details (like immediate dangers or essential actions) should appear right at the beginning of their section. Don’t hide them.
- For example: In a section about side effects, start with “Seek immediate medical attention if you experience…” before listing more common but less severe symptoms.
The Power of Empathy and Reassurance: More Than Just Facts
Medical instructions aren’t just about facts; they’re about guiding someone through something that might be stressful or confusing.
1. Acknowledge What People Might Be Worried About: Being sick is often scary. Acknowledging this can build trust and make the patient more open to what you’re saying.
- For example: “It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by a new diagnosis. This guide is here to help you understand your treatment step-by-step.”
2. Give Reassurance When Appropriate: Without giving false hope, offer realistic reassurance about parts of the treatment or recovery that are manageable.
- For example: “Many people find that these side effects improve after the first few weeks of treatment.”
3. Include Contact Information and “When to Call” Guidelines: This is crucial for patient safety and reducing anxiety. Clear instructions on when to get help and who to contact are super important. Make sure to distinguish between small issues, urgent concerns, and emergencies.
- For example:
- “Call your doctor during office hours if you have a persistent cough.”
- “Call the on-call nurse or doctor immediately if you develop a rash with fever.”
- “Call 911 (emergency services) if you have severe chest pain, sudden weakness on one side of your body, or are having trouble breathing.”
4. Empower People with “What You Can Do”: Shift from them just passively receiving information to actively participating. Encourage them to take charge.
- For example: Instead of just “Your blood sugar must be monitored,” write “Checking your blood sugar regularly helps you and your doctor adjust your insulin dose to keep you healthy.”
Testing and Iteration: Making Sure It’s Truly Understandable
Your job isn’t finished when the words are on the page. To truly be accessible, you need to test it out.
1. Read Aloud Test: Reading your instructions out loud forces you to notice awkward phrasing, sentences that are too long, and places where the flow gets messed up. If it sounds clunky when you read it, it will be hard for others to read.
2. The “Teach-Back” Method (Simulated): Imagine a regular person (like an elderly relative or a busy parent) reading your instructions. Now, imagine asking them to explain the main points back to you in their own words. Where do they get stuck? What did they misunderstand? This will show you crucial gaps.
- For example: After writing instructions for a new medication, mentally ask: “So, when do you take this medicine? What are the top two things to watch out for?” If the answers aren’t immediate and accurate, you need to revise.
3. Avoid Medical Jargon in Your Own Internal Review: When you’re reviewing your own work, actively try to identify any lingering medical terms that you haven’t simplified. It’s easy to slip back into expert language during review.
4. Consider Cultural and Health Literacy Differences: While I’m focusing on general accessibility here, remember that different groups of people might have varying levels of health knowledge and different cultural views on health and sickness. This is a bigger topic, but something to keep in mind for very specific situations.
The Writer’s Role: Protecting Understanding
Taking complex scientific information and turning it into accessible medical instructions is more than just a writing task; it’s a vital part of public health. It requires careful attention to detail, a deep respect for science, and a strong commitment to putting the patient first. It means writers need to go from just sharing information to actually protecting understanding, making sure that the results of scientific discovery are real, actionable, and helpful for everyone they reach. By mastering this nuanced process, writers empower patients, help them stick to their treatment, and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes, turning abstract data into tangible well-being.