title: Crystal-clear communication.
abstract: Consumers who understand health care information--medication directions, their physicians' guidance, package inserts, instructions provided over nurse advice lines, and Web sites--benefit in improved health status as a result. When patients don't understand--and can't act on--medical information and instructions, the impact on health and well-being can be devastating: poor control of diabetes, more hospitalizations and longer lengths of stay, improperly taken medications, and so on.
authors.affiliation: PR Healthcare, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Aileen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kantor
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008484:Medicaid; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States