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Presentation by Karen Baker, Healthwise, at the Center for Plain Language workshop, "Best Practices in Plain Language," on October 9, 2012. Find additional handouts at http://centerforplainlanguage.org/events/best-practices-workshop/
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Then and Now: Creating aPlain Language Culture
Karen Baker, MHSSVP/Consumer Experience
Center for Plain LanguageOctober 9, 2012
Medical gobbledygook robs people of their autonomy. Without understanding, they have no real say in their care.
Plain languagegives them back
their say.
“
”--Don KemperHealthwise Founder and CEO
Today’s Goals
• Value
• History
• Today
• You
Nonprofit Organization Since 1975
Our mission: To help people make better health decisions
The Plain Language Value Proposition
Helping People Understand = Mission and Revenue
There are all these huge words and ambiguous terms, and you only vaguely understand any of it.
--Anna Stuart
“
”
Anna’s Story
Taking Medical Jargon Out of Doctor Visits, Wall Street Journal, July 2010
Our Story: A Long and Continuing Road
Plain Language Milestones 1975-Present
Plain Language and Healthwise Today
An Enterprise-Wide Commitment
The 3 Ps: Personal, Plain, Possible
The single biggest problem in communication is
the illusion that it has taken place.
--George Bernard Shaw
Nobelprize.org
“
”
A Path To Success
It’s really not
as daunting as
it looks!
Six (Only Six!) Steps To Success
1. Identify the Benefits
2. Get Support at the Top
3. Train (Skills)
4. Commit (Hearts and Minds)
5. Include Users
6. Start Small—But Start
The Appeal of Plain Language
It’s more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like
‘What about lunch?’
--Winnie the Pooh
“
”