Adapted from Providing CLAS - Think Cultural Health with input from people living with IBD and an expert steering committee

Patients with IBD may struggle to understand the health information you provide, regardless of race and ethnicity.

• Use plain, nonmedical language. Use common words that you would use to explain medical information to your friends or family, such as stomach or belly instead of abdomen.
• Use the patient’s words. Take note of what words the patient uses to describe their illness and use them in your conversation.
• Slow down. Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
• Limit and repeat messages. Prioritize what needs to be discussed, and limit information to three to five key points and repeat them.
• Be specific and concrete. Don’t use vague and subjective terms that can be interpreted in different ways.
• Show graphics. Draw pictures, use illustrations, or demonstrate with 3-D models. All pictures and models should be simple, designed to demonstrate only the important concepts, without detailed anatomy.
• Demonstrate how it’s done. Whether doing exercises or taking medicine, a demonstration of how to do something may be clearer than a verbal explanation.

Related patient resources

IBD glossary

A list of medical terms commonly used in the context of IBD created by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

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How is IBD diagnosed

A webpage from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that explains the process of diagnosing IBD. It highlights the importance of medical evaluation and various diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, imaging scans, and laboratory tests to determine the presence of IBD.

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Crohn’s disease treatment

A webpage by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that is dedicated to explaining the treatment options for Crohn’s disease. This page provides an overview of different treatment approaches, including medication, surgery, and lifestyle modifications.

Visit site

View all resources