10 Apr The importance of patient engagement and its role in clinical trials

By Jacqueline Ruzicka, CISCRP

Life is full of decisions. From the moment we wake up until the moment we go to bed, we make decisions. About what we wear, what we eat, the next show to binge.

What about the decisions we make about our health? Do we make the decision to exercise regularly? Do we decide to drink water instead of another cup of coffee? Making informed decisions when it comes to our healthcare can be overwhelming, which is why patient engagement is so important. Studies have shown that when patients are more actively involved in their healthcare, they experience better health outcomes.

Patient engagement relies on the interaction between healthcare providers, caregivers, and patients to make good healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient. Ultimately, it’s up to the patient to take this information and make an informed decision about their care. An informed decision involves the patient taking all the information related to their care, weighing the benefits and risks, and making the best choice for themselves. But how do patients cut through the medical jargon to understand what’s being said?

This is where plain language (sometimes called “lay language”) comes in. Lay language is a way to communicate with patients in a way they can understand so they can make informed decisions about what’s best for themselves and their families. Read more …