Don't use jargon or specialized language that your reader might not understand.
If you have to use a specialized term, explain briefly what it means, in parentheses. For example: "Patients have the right to make decisions about their
bodily integrity (autonomy) and to have access to unbiased and accurate information about relevant medical issues and treatments."
The above quote is from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia's Professional Standards
and Guidelines: Medical Assistance in Dying, a good example of a document for a professional audience that is written in plain language.
Poor
Telehealth technology will help doctors
build capacity to provide . . .
Better
Telecommunications technology will help doctors
provide . . .
Poor
Flush your central venous catheter twice a week with saline or heparin to keep it
patent.
Better
Flush your central venous catheter twice a week with saline or heparin to keep it clear of obstructions.
Poor
We
would like to ensure that we are
prepared to implement the necessary steps required to control an outbreak of an infectious disease that represents a risk to patients, employees and others associated with our clinics.
Better
We
want to make sure that we are
ready to control an outbreak of an infectious disease in our clinics.
Likewise, don't use acronyms unless they are well known, for example, HIV/AIDS, EEG. If you do want to use both the acronym and term, use the spelled-out word first, followed by the acronym in brackets, for example, electroencephalogram (EEG).
