The Jargon Begone! list
The jargon below has been provided by the community. You can add to the jargon list too, just click on the Jargon Begone! button below.
| Entry Date | What jargon term annoys you the most? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2020 at 1:16 pm | online |
During the era of Windows 95, doing things "online" was a new thing. Now in the 21st century, most people understand many activities can be done using the internet. An online webinar, or an online form are just the worst examples! |
| May 12, 2020 at 2:10 pm | PBS |
I've worked at a pharmacy to 2 years and I still don't know what it means let alone be able to explain it to customers. |
| November 8, 2019 at 7:35 pm | Consumers |
Consumers are people. They don't eat services or clinicians! What is wrong with calling them people and preferably by their actual name??? |
| November 8, 2019 at 7:31 pm | Carers |
We are people first. We are mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers, and friends. Caring is a bi-product of our relationship with the person. |
| October 29, 2019 at 1:01 pm | Touching base |
not direct, vague, should be discuss, meet, talk, telephone call etc. |
| October 22, 2019 at 4:30 pm | People with a disability speaking for themselves |
People with a disability or mental illness should be able to speak for themselves. Medical staff, community services, local governments, families and cares should become aware of when it is good to advocate and when it is great to let people use their voices. |
| October 21, 2019 at 1:21 pm | Brain Storming |
Brain Storming is a commonly used term use in Australia for meetings. On the 20th of June 2008 City Councils in UK banned the use of this word as "Brain Storming" is a term associated and a symptom of a specific neurological disease. |
| October 21, 2019 at 1:17 pm | A bit on the Spectrum |
saying that a child or adult is a bit on the spectrum? People are either autistic or they are not. |
| October 21, 2019 at 11:29 am | When jargon keeps changing |
I can't keep up with changes and even if I wanted to tell my clients I don't know what it is. Or what acronyms are? |
| October 21, 2019 at 11:19 am | compliant |
It's disempowering for the person you are working with, it removes choice, and is autocratic. Primary and community health workers are not enforcers and have no reason to use this term. |
| October 19, 2019 at 2:09 pm | Stakeholders |
Because people holding stakes usually also hold a hammer. When talking about health or public services we hold people in our hands not stakes |
| October 17, 2019 at 2:28 pm | Using the word - Agency |
It is not used in everyday conversations about making choices and decisions as it was used in a talk about managing self care. Agency for most people is a word that describes a building, business or organization. Lets drop using this word! |
| October 11, 2019 at 4:56 pm | Quorum |
it's totally outdated and old fashioned - can we not just agree that we have enough committee members present?!! |
| October 8, 2019 at 12:51 pm | tachycardia |
A patient will understand "fast heart reate" more quickly - why say tachycardia then have to explain what it is? |
| October 8, 2019 at 12:50 pm | hypertension |
Just tell a patient they have high blood pressure - many don't understand the word. |
| September 30, 2019 at 11:42 am | Discharged against medical advice |
Judgemental, does not allow for an individual's right to leave hospital, and may have very valid reasons for doing so. |
| September 11, 2019 at 9:39 am | pedagogy |
cos it just means teaching method, it is a stupid word |
| September 9, 2019 at 1:45 pm | mechanical fall |
ALL falls are 'mechanical' and should have the causal factors identified! |
| September 9, 2019 at 1:43 pm | acopia |
Because it is: |
| Entry Date | What jargon term annoys you the most? | Why? |
Why should I pledge?
6 out of 10 of people in Australia have low health literacy.
Many Australians have trouble understanding and using information provided by organisations. They also have trouble navigating complicated systems like healthcare services.
When we use jargon, technical terms or acronyms, it is hard for people with low health literacy to understand and use information.
Pledge and take part in activities at your workplace. Make it easy for people with low health literacy to get better information and outcomes from services they use.
Drop the Jargon
Pledge to Drop the Jargon
- Use plain language in all communication – with other staff and with clients
- Not use acronyms
- Explain medical and other technical terminology
- Check that information has been understood by your clients
- Work with a professional interpreter when your clients have low English proficiency
- Politely point out when your colleagues use jargon