Case study 04
Deciphering Medical Jargon
An interactive module that helps medical students recognize medical jargon and practice choosing clearer language for patient conversations.
Project Context
This independent learning module was developed for medical students preparing for patient-facing clinical experiences. It focuses on recognizing language that may be familiar to healthcare professionals but confusing to patients.
Challenge
Medical students learn specialized terminology throughout their education. When that language carries into patient conversations, it can make explanations difficult to understand.
The challenge was to help students recognize jargon, consider the patient’s perspective, and practice choosing clearer language while preserving the intended meaning.
My Role and Tools
Role: Instructional Designer
Tools: Articulate Storyline
I designed and developed the interactive module, including the learning sequence, visual presentation, activities, and knowledge checks.
Design Approach
I organized the experience around recognizing medical jargon and practicing clearer communication.
The module explores technical terms, acronyms, words with different everyday meanings, euphemisms, and judgmental language.
Students identify confusing wording, rewrite jargon-filled statements, and compare their responses with examples. Video examples and knowledge checks connect the concepts to patient communication.
Solution
The learning experience includes:
- Examples of different types of medical jargon
- Activities that ask students to identify confusing words
- Opportunities to rewrite statements using clearer language
- Sample responses for comparison
- Video examples connecting concepts to communication
- Knowledge checks throughout the module
Design Highlights
Recognizing Jargon
Students explore how technical vocabulary, acronyms, and familiar expressions can create confusion for patients.
Practicing Plain Language
Open-ended activities ask students to write their own alternatives and compare them with sample responses.
Considering the Patient’s Perspective
Examples encourage students to consider what patients may understand from an explanation and where additional clarity is needed.
Screenshots
Course opening screen. Video examples: learners open short videos showing how people feel when jargon is used in conversation. Knowledge check: learners rewrite a jargon-filled explanation in plain language.
Student Feedback
Post-module survey feedback suggests that students found the module helpful for learning, clinical application, and engagement.
- Perceived learning: 96% rated the statement that the module’s overall presentation increased learning 4 or 5 out of 5 (27 of 28 responses).
- Clinical application: 97% rated the statement that clinical cases applied the content 4 or 5 out of 5 (29 of 30 responses).
- Engagement: 96% rated the statement that interactive activities engaged them in learning 4 or 5 out of 5 (27 of 28 responses).
Source: post-module survey responses collected in 2025–2026. Percentages are rounded and include available item responses from complete and partial surveys; blank responses are excluded. Findings reflect students’ perceptions. The survey did not measure exam scores or patient communication performance.
Contact
I'm open to Learning Experience Designer roles. Feel free to reach out.