Explaining a diagnosis in plain English: chunk, check, plan

27 October 2026

In short: To explain a diagnosis well, start by finding out what the patient already knows and wants to know. Give information in small chunks, in plain words, and check understanding after each one. Respond to their feelings and questions, share the options honestly, including doing nothing where that is reasonable, and close with an agreed plan and a safety net.

Key points

Ask what the patient knows and what they want to know before you start.
Give one idea at a time in plain language, then check it has landed.
Use "teach back": ask the patient to explain it in their own words.
Respond to emotion before adding more information.
Share the options, including taking no action where appropriate, and agree a plan.

What the GMC expects

The GMC's guidance for medical students, Achieving good medical practice, says that doctors must give patients the information they want or need in a way they can understand. They must listen, encourage an open dialogue, ask questions that let patients express what matters to them, and respond honestly. It also asks you to check the patient's understanding of the information they have been given.

The MLA content map's communication capability adds finding out what matters to the patient, sharing appropriate information about treatment options (including the option to take no action), and identifying and adapting to communication differences and needs.

Before you explain: find the starting point

Introduce yourself and check identity. Confirm who is with the patient, and that they are happy for that person to be there.
Ask what they already know. "What have you been told so far?" or "What do you understand about what's been happening?"
Ask what they want to know. Some people want every detail, others want the headline and the plan.
Ask about worries. A patient who thinks they have cancer won't hear much else until that is addressed.

Chunk and check

Break the explanation into small pieces. For each one:

Give one idea, in one or two short sentences.
Pause. Silence gives the patient time to take it in.
Check. "Does that make sense so far?" or "What questions do you have about that?"

A typical order is: what the condition is, why it happened, what it means for them, what can be done, and what happens next. Signpost as you go: "I'd like to explain what the test showed, and then we can talk about what happens next."

Use plain words

Swap jargon for everyday words. "Your blood sugar is higher than it should be" rather than "your HbA1c is raised".
If you need a medical term, say it, explain it, and use it consistently.
Use simple comparisons where they help, and check the patient finds them useful.
Diagrams can help if the station provides paper.

Teach back

Checking understanding is more than asking "Is that OK?" Most people will say yes. Instead, ask the patient to put it in their own words: "Just so I know I've explained it clearly, could you tell me what you'll say to your family about this?" If something is missing, explain that part again in a different way.

Respond to emotion

When a patient becomes upset, stop adding information. Acknowledge what you see ("This is a lot to take in"), give them time, and ask what is worrying them most. Return to the explanation when they are ready.

Share the options and agree a plan

Set out the options, with what each involves and its main benefits and risks, in plain language. Where it's reasonable, include the option of taking no action. Ask what matters to them and what they would prefer. Then agree a plan together, summarise it, and make sure they know what happens next.

Close safely

Summarise the key points in two or three sentences.
Safety-net: what to look out for and what to do if it happens.
Offer further information, such as a leaflet or a follow-up appointment.
Ask for final questions.

Common pitfalls

Starting with a list of facts before finding out what the patient knows.
Long paragraphs of explanation with no pause or check.
"Any questions?" asked once, at the very end.
Moving on past a patient's visible worry.
Presenting a plan rather than agreeing one.

How MedExamHelper fits

On MedExamHelper you can type, dictate or speak, and the AI patient replies in character. After grading, every mark cites the exact line of your encounter it came from, so you can see where a check or a safety net was missed.

Common questions

How do I explain a diagnosis in an OSCE? Find out what the patient knows and wants to know, explain in small chunks in plain language, check understanding after each, and agree a plan.

What is the chunk and check technique? Giving information one small piece at a time and checking the patient has understood before moving on.

What is teach back? Asking the patient to explain the information back in their own words, so you can tell whether your explanation worked.

Should I mention the option of doing nothing? Where it's a reasonable option, yes. The MLA content map includes sharing treatment options, including the option to take no action.

What if the patient gets upset? Pause the explanation, acknowledge the emotion, and ask what is worrying them most before continuing.