use of medical terminology which aids understanding
between health care professionals would not be an
issue.
Disadvantages
Poor communication is seen as a major element of
negative patient experiences and has led to women
feeling less in control of their own birth experience
(Vermeir et al., 2015; National Institute for Health
and Care Excellence (NICE), 2017). Furthermore, it
has been linked to inefficient professional worktime
and can even lead to compromises in patient safety
(Marsh, 2019). Research has shown that the use of
language which the patient does not understand can
lead to a more paternalistic method of care where
the practitioner makes the decisions for the patient
(Sartorius, 2015). Care is done to the patient rather
than with the patient. All nurses and midwives must
abide by the NMC Code which states that informed
and shared decision making is best practice (NMC,
2015). The inappropriate use of medical terminology
and acronyms adversely affects the patient
experience, creating feelings of helplessness, mistrust
and has a negative influence on empowerment and
satisfaction (Roter et al., 2009; Hong et al, 2010;
Dahm, 2012).
Research has found that, in general, women have a
lack of understanding of the procedures surrounding
birth (De Benedictis et al., 2018). This lack of
understanding leads to decisions often being made by
the professionals without any consultation with the
women, or a consultation which the women do not
understand due to the professionals using medical
jargon. This also demonstrates a lack of true informed
consent. The NMC Code states that midwives and
health professionals must gain informed consent
before any procedure or investigation (NMC, 2018). A
lack of informed consent means the procedure cannot
be carried out. Informed consent has also been
shown to decrease anxieties and increase patient
satisfaction through greater knowledge around their
own health and wellbeing (Goldberger et al., 2011).
Medical jargon can also be linked to negative
language, which when used has an adverse effect
on women’s health and wellbeing. In midwifery,
words such as ‘failed’, ‘contractions’ or ‘tear’ are
commonplace, but these could have a detrimental
effect on women’s mental health (Vranceanu et al.,
2012). Hypnobirthing is becoming more popular
with women nowadays, with the word ‘contractions’
being replaced with the word ‘surges’. These word
changes are having a positive effect on women’s
pain tolerance throughout the birth process (Graves,
2014). Hypnobirthing is linked to the self-affirmation
theory, which supports the use of positive language
to further affirm and empower the woman (Steele,
1988). Positive communication throughout pregnancy
and birth is seen to lower caesarean section rates,
operative vaginal births and the use of epidural
anaesthesia (Harris and Ayers, 2012; Reed, Sharman
and Inglis, 2017). This in turn creates, in women, more
positive memories of the birth process.
Although medical terminology can span language
barriers, it can be extremely difficult for women and
families who have English as a second language or are
not fluent in English at all to understand what is being
discussed (Binder et al., 2012). Approximately 40%
of women from ethnic minorities who use maternity
services have reported that the care they have
received has been of poor quality, due to their lack of
understanding, a reduction in informed consent and
discrimination they face (Attanasio and Kozhimannil,
2015). The use of interpreters positively influences
women’s care as the language spoken is known to the
women. However, interpreters are not always present
at every appointment, and can create issues when
the practitioner cannot fully assess the woman’s
understanding (Meddings and Haith-Cooper, 2008;
Stapleton, Murphy and Kildea, 2013; Puthussery et
al., 2010).
Recommendations of
communication
Language promotes the positive relationship between
patient and caregiver but, used ineffectively or
without prior thought, can have adverse effects on
the entire pregnancy and birth experience (Mobbs,
Williams and Weeks, 2018). Communication can also
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