In brief Two recent court cases in British Columbia reveal the importance of using plain, simple language to communicate with patients. This is particularly important because almost half of Canadians have low literacy levels. The CMA, which promotes the use of plain language in professional practice, is participating in the Canadian Public Health Association's National Literacy and Health Program.
Resources are available to help physicians better serve patients.
She charged that he had failed to explain adequately that the sterilization procedure she was about to undergo was irreversible and that other options were available. The judge ruled in favour of Smith, and a subsequent appeal was dismissed. In a January 1995 ruling, a judge from the British Columbia Court of Appeal said Tweedale had breached his professional duty by choosing language that left his patient in doubt about what was being communicated and by failing to ensure that she understood the consequences of the procedure. Dr. Peter Carpenter, a dental surgeon, was found liable for damages resulting from the displacement of an impacted wisdom tooth. The liability arose not from his recommendation to extract the tooth but from his failure to obtain his patient's informed consent.