The Role of Euphemisms in Healthcare Communication

A euphemism is defined as a “A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing” [1]. The word is derived from the Greek – eu “well” and phenai “to speak” and was first used in the English language in the late 16th century. In the context of healthcare, the use of euphemisms is often discouraged, as they may distort the meaning of sensitive issues that require discussion. There are clear situations, where use of a euphemism, such as equating sleep with death, will cause significant confusion and not be helpful. However, a euphemism can be used at times to communicate with a patient such that their understanding of their condition increases, and their experience is less stressful. The latter is more likely to occur in a situation where the patient has a longer time to come to terms with the information relating to their diagnosis, and decisions in relation to management. When choosing the language for a sensitive healthcare conversation, a healthcare professional (HCP) will need to balance their openness and clarity in communication, with consideration of the patient’s experience and level of distress.