the best prescription for illness is hope

Clear communication brings a healing touch

2008/11/6

Essayist Yoko Kishimoto, referring to her fight against cancer, wrote that when listening to a doctor's explanation it is important to keep a pen and notepad handy.

She always takes notes and whenever a difficult technical term pops up, her pen stops. When she stops writing, she knows she does not understand the words. The doctor also notices. That is why she can ask questions.

Sometimes, the doctor offers to rephrase an explanation using layman's terms, according to Kishimoto, who spoke at a recent symposium in Tokyo called "heart-felt medicine and the power of language."

When patients see a doctor, the conversation tends to start with anxiety on the patient's part. They also tend to be nervous. There is even a condition known as "white coat hypertension," in which some patients' blood pressure rises due just to the stress of seeing their doctor.

On top of that, if they feel helpless, even when they try to take notes, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand unfamiliar terms.

In an effort to break down the language barrier between doctors and patients, attempts are being made to explain tricky medical terms. As a first step, the National Institute for Japanese Language chose 57 difficult words. For example, shinjun (infiltration) is defined as "cancer spreading to surrounding tissue" and kankai (remission) is listed as "a steady condition in which symptoms are stable."

Many loan words also are used by doctors. Reading those in the list, I realized my ignorance and had to correct quite a few of my misunderstandings. I hope that the new explanations will convey the warm-heartedness of doctors, as well as a better understanding of medical terms.

Clinical psychologist Hayao Kawai, who died last year, liked the phrase "the best prescription for illness is hope." While I know doctors are busy, I want them to keep this apt saying in their hearts.

When doctors' words are backed with warmth, they can be more than just easy to understand. They may also carry the power to heal.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 5(IHT/Asahi: November 6,2008)