Dr. Denis Grillo, Ear, Nose & Throat, 02/21/12

Medicine in the 21st century has advanced rapidly, and is at a very sophisticated level, and people are living longer and healthier lives.

But one of the things that has not kept up the pace with research and science and development of new techniques is language and communication between the patient and the doctor.

Physicians spend many years to learn and hone their skills to treat and cure patients. But if doctors do not listen, and patients do not tell us the truth, it is difficult to get the optimal result.

The way language and communication works is the patient must tell us all of the information, and he or she must be accurate. Then it is the doctor’s job to explain the planned treatment, whether it is medicine or surgery, and do it in such a way the patient understands, or it is likely the patient will not be compliant. This type of breakdown can affect the patient’s outcome.

Compounding this problem includes the fact about one-fourth to one-third of adults lack basic reading and writing skills, and also the fact medicine has gotten very complicated. All you have to do is listen to one of those TV commercials that rattles off all of the possible side effects or complications, and you realize how difficult the decision-making process becomes to treat patients, and why it is so important to communicate.

The financial impact of this problem is somewhere between a half and three-quarters of a billion dollars a year, according to estimates.

When it comes to medical treatment, some studies suggest only 15 percent of the population is proficient with following through with their recommendations, and about another 55 percent are adequate at doing so.

That means a full third of the adult population could potentially fall through the cracks with regard to getting proper care.

Studies have also suggested there are certain population groups that are at more risk: Senior citizens, adults who have not completed a high school education, and certain ethnic groups including Hispanics and African-Americans.

One study done in 2002 by a gerontology group came up with a rather unusual finding that the affluent adult population has about one-third of their members who have a very limited ability to read and write.

It did not stop them from being successful or wealthy, but it still could harm them when it comes to their health care.

Not only do poor language and communication skills erode the doctor/patient relationship, but also could stimulate a lawsuit.

There are estimates as much as three-quarters of all medical malpractice lawsuits stem from a communication problem. Inadequate explanation or understanding of the diagnosis and treatment, and not involving the patient’s family or relatives during the diagnosis and treatment process can lead to misinformation, untruths, bad feelings between the doctor and the patient, and eventually a lawsuit.

Doctors and scientists are working constantly to try to rectify this issue so better patient care can be delivered. There is no replacement for plain, straight­forward, simple and accurate information, no matter what you are undertaking, and this includes health care delivery.

Denis Grillo, D.O., FOCOO, is an ear, nose and throat specialist in Crystal River. Call him at 352-795-0011 or visit CrystalCommunityENT.com.