How the language of healthcare can help provide better care | Julie Fox | TEDxBostonCollege

TL;DR

The words used in healthcare have a significant impact on our thinking, decisions, and ultimately, our health.

Transcript

did you ever just not see what was right in front of you did you ever just look right past it like it wasn't even there I've been thinking about how the words used in healthc care help keep us sick and how we don't even notice how the words used in healthcare help keep us sick and how that is affecting our health so early in my career I learned tha... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙈 Words can significantly impact consumer behavior, as seen in the toothpaste packaging example.
• 😷 The words used in healthcare can contribute to the harm caused by medical cascades.
• 😨 Healthcare is not a cohesive system but a collection of individual businesses, which affects decision-making and care coordination.
• 👋 The word "patient" creates a passive and compliant mindset that may not serve individuals' best interests.
• 🧑‍⚕️ Questioning the words and labels used in healthcare is crucial for making informed decisions and taking control of one's health.
• 🥺 Different words can lead to different assumptions, behaviors, and ultimately, better health outcomes.
• 🔑 Changing the words used in healthcare is a powerful step towards improving the overall healthcare experience.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did changing one word in toothpaste packaging have such a significant impact?

The change from "Crest clean squeeze" to "Crest neat squeeze" shifted consumer perception from worrying about dirty toothpaste to messy toothpaste, leading to increased interest and sales. It demonstrates the power of words in shaping consumer behavior.

Q: How did the words used in healthcare contribute to the death of the speaker's friend?

The words used in healthcare, such as "system" and "patient," create assumptions and behaviors that can be harmful. It made the friend passive, accepting, and reliant on a non-existent system, leading to medical delays and ultimately, her death.

Q: Why is it important to question the words and labels used in healthcare?

By questioning the words and labels, we can understand the assumptions, biases, and business motives behind them. This awareness allows us to make more informed decisions and take control of our health.

Q: How can individuals make a difference in changing the words used in healthcare?

Individuals can start by questioning the words they encounter in healthcare. By substituting misleading words with more accurate ones and rethinking job titles like "patient," they can empower themselves and change the narrative surrounding their health.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares personal experiences and insights on how words can shape our perception and behavior in healthcare.

• Words used in toothpaste packaging changed consumer perception and led to a significant increase in product interest and sales.

• The speaker witnessed a friend's death due to a medical cascade caused, in part, by the words used in her care.