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It’s a common scenario: You go to a doctor’s appointment and walk out feeling confused. You’re not exactly sure what your doctor said about your condition or how to treat it.

The problem? Many doctors use medical terminology that’s unfamiliar to most people.

Here’s how to communicate better with doctors and other health care providers.

Why Do Doctors Use Medical Jargon?

Health care providers undergo years of training in specific fields. They need to learn exact medical terms. This helps them get used to long Greek or Latin words and other medical jargon.

But for someone without a medical degree, “doctor-ese” can feel like a foreign language. And for anyone who’s not a native English speaker, deciphering medical terminology can feel even more confusing.

However, it’s vital that you and your doctor communicate effectively. Your good health may depend on it.

What Do These Medical Terms Mean?

Here are some of the most common medical terms your primary care provider may use and their plain English meaning:

• Acute — Short-term or sudden disease.
• Asymptomatic — Not feeling or showing signs of disease.
• Chronic — Long-lasting.
• Contusion — Bruise.
• Edema — Swelling.
• Embolism — Blocked artery.
• Etiology — What caused an illness.
• Fracture — Broken bone.
• Hypertension — High blood pressure.
• Inpatient — Care that requires an overnight stay.
• Intravenous — A way to deliver medicine through your veins.
• Outpatient — Care that allows you to go home the same day.
• Prognosis — The expected outcome of the disease.
• Relapse — When a disease returns.
• Sutures — Stitches.

How Can I Understand Medical Jargon and Tests Related to Cancer Care?

Cancer terminology can seem like a language all its own. Here are some of the most common words and phrases used in cancer care.

• Benign: Noncancerous.
• Biomarker: A molecule used to diagnose cancer and predict a response to treatment.
• Biopsy: A procedure in which a surgeon collects a tissue sample to see if cells are cancerous.
• Carcinoma: Cancerous tumor.
• Localized: A tumor that hasn’t spread.
• Malignant: Cancerous.
• Metastasize: When cancer spreads to other locations in the body.
• Oncologist: A doctor who treats cancer.
• Recurrence: When cancer comes back.
• Remission: When signs of cancer disappear.
• Staging: Classification of cancers. Stage 1 is the least serious; Stage 4 is the most serious.
• Tumor markers: Substances that cells produce in response to cancer cells.

Likewise, many cancer tests and procedures have confusing names. They include:

• Colonoscopy:  A procedure where doctors insert a tube into the rectum to screen for colon cancer.
• Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan): Imaging that shows more details than an x-ray.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Digital imaging that uses radio waves to see inside the body.
• Mammogram: Screening x-ray to detect breast cancer.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: Imaging that uses a special dye to find cancer.
• X-ray: Imaging that uses electromagnetic waves to see inside the body.

How Can I Communicate Better with My Doctor?

Communication with health care providers is a two-way street. Ideally, your doctor should speak in clear, easy-to-understand language. But you can also take action to improve communication.

To get the most out of your doctor’s appointment:

Do your prep work

You should:

• Bring copies of any medical records and test results that you have.
• Make a list of current medications and herbal remedies you take. Include any known allergies to medicine.
• Prepare to talk about your medical history. It might help to write down the approximate dates of illnesses, pregnancies, injuries, and when new symptoms began.
• Write down a list of questions and all your current symptoms, even ones that may not feel important. Include what makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse when you experience symptoms.

Bring support

Having a friend or family member at the appointment can help. They can offer emotional support and help you recall the doctor’s instructions. They can also advocate on your behalf.

Some medical centers provide patient advocates or nurse navigators for those seeking care. If English isn’t your first language, a navigator can help with communication issues and cultural barriers.

Give honest answers

Your doctor can’t help you if they don’t know about your lifestyle. Give honest answers to questions about habits like smoking, drinking, and exercise. Don’t just tell your doctor what you think they want to hear.

If finances are a concern, say so. It’s OK to ask about estimated out-of-pocket costs, insurance coverage, and payment plans.

Take notes

It’s common for your mind to go blank in the doctor’s office. Bring a notebook to write down information. Or, have a friend or family member take notes so you can focus on what the doctor is saying.

You should ask the doctor for the correct wording and spelling of any medical terms.

Ask questions

Part of your doctor’s job is to relay information in a clear, compassionate way. So you should always ask for further clarification if you don’t understand something your doctor says.

Don’t feel embarrassed, especially if you’re hearing a distressing or confusing diagnosis. Instead, keep asking questions and don’t leave the appointment until you completely understand what your doctor is saying.

Echo your doctor

One good tactic: Repeat the information back to the doctor. (“So what you’re saying is that I should … ?”) Saying it out loud both confirms what the doctor said and helps you remember it in your own words.

Make sure you’re clear on your next step

Ask questions like: Do I need to schedule testing, or does the office do it? Do I need to make a follow-up appointment? Is a virtual visit possible?

Don’t leave the doctor’s office without knowing what to do next.

Where Can I Find Information on Medical Terms?

The internet is a storehouse of information, but not all of it is accurate. For help understanding medical terminology, stick to reliable sources. These include official medical association websites and government entities like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Some other resources to help you understand medical jargon include:

• American Academy of Professional Coders.
• CancerCare.
• MedlinePlus.
• Merck Manual.
• National Cancer Institute.
• Patient Advocate Foundation.