The Subtle Ways that Words Influence Us

Words matter—that’s why we do the work that we do at Verilogue. We all probably agree that having clear and effective communication is important, but even more than that, the very words we choose can subtly impact those with whom we’re speaking. While most physicians try to provide succinct and easy-to-understand instructions for their patients,…

Should You Get That Scan? Your Doctor Might Not Be Great At Helping You Decide

August 18, 2018 – “Your doctor probably nags you to schedule cancer screening tests like mammograms and colonoscopies. These tests, after all, can be life-saving, and most doctors want to make sure you get them done. But when it comes to explaining the ways that certain screenings can cause you harm, your doctor may not…

Doctor-patient discussions neglect potential harms of lung cancer screening, study finds

August 13, 2018 – “Although national guidelines advise doctors to discuss the benefits and harms of lung cancer screening with high-risk patients because of a high rate of false positives and other factors, those conversations aren’t happening the way they should be, according to a study by researchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger…

Why Do We Need Linguists?

Imagine the preparation for an event like, let’s say, the Super Bowl. Coaches, players, trainers, and everyone else involved work constantly, together and alone, to be at peak performance when the big game rolls around. Now, imagine if, one day at practice, the coach just asked the players how they felt about their plays instead…