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Background <p>Arabic is the primary language in Saudi Arabia, but healthcare workers often use English medical terms when communicating with patients. This study evaluated the Saudi population’s knowledge of commonly used medical terms.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-developed questionnaire. It was distributed through a social media platform. Categorical variables were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The total knowledge score (out of 38) was presented as the mean ± standard deviation. Demographic variables were compared with responses using independent samples t-tests or ANOVA.</p> Results <p>A total of 784 respondents participated, with 50% aged 25 years or older. Of the respondents, 53% were female, 90% had a college or university education, and 61% lived in major cities. The majority (57%) were employed, 31% worked in healthcare, and 74% had a family member in the healthcare sector. About 26% reported having a chronic illness, while 29% visited a doctor frequently (4–6 times per year). Respondents aged 18 to 24 had significantly higher knowledge scores than those aged 25 and above (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). College/university graduates had higher scores compared to those with only secondary education (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Healthcare workers scored significantly higher than those outside the healthcare sector (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Conclusion <p>The study underscores the need for improved communication between healthcare providers and patients in linguistically diverse populations. It suggests educational interventions to enhance understanding of medical terms, particularly for individuals with lower education levels or those outside healthcare.</p>

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Bridging the gap: assessing public understanding of medical terms in Saudi arabia’s multilingual healthcare context

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月1日

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  • Ismail Memon,
  • Abdulaziz Alarifi,
  • Nabeel Qamar,
  • Ahmed Aljohani,
  • Aamir Omair,
  • Zeeshan Feroz,
  • Abdulmalek Mengash,
  • Saad Al Qarni,
  • Shahid Akhund,
  • Abdulmohsin Alkushi

摘要

Background

Arabic is the primary language in Saudi Arabia, but healthcare workers often use English medical terms when communicating with patients. This study evaluated the Saudi population’s knowledge of commonly used medical terms.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-developed questionnaire. It was distributed through a social media platform. Categorical variables were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The total knowledge score (out of 38) was presented as the mean ± standard deviation. Demographic variables were compared with responses using independent samples t-tests or ANOVA.

Results

A total of 784 respondents participated, with 50% aged 25 years or older. Of the respondents, 53% were female, 90% had a college or university education, and 61% lived in major cities. The majority (57%) were employed, 31% worked in healthcare, and 74% had a family member in the healthcare sector. About 26% reported having a chronic illness, while 29% visited a doctor frequently (4–6 times per year). Respondents aged 18 to 24 had significantly higher knowledge scores than those aged 25 and above (p < 0.001). College/university graduates had higher scores compared to those with only secondary education (p = 0.001). Healthcare workers scored significantly higher than those outside the healthcare sector (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The study underscores the need for improved communication between healthcare providers and patients in linguistically diverse populations. It suggests educational interventions to enhance understanding of medical terms, particularly for individuals with lower education levels or those outside healthcare.