Exploring the Intersection of Family Medicine and Linguistic Psychology: The Impact of Language on Patient Care

Language plays a crucial role in family medicine, shaping patient-provider interactions, influencing health outcomes, and affecting patient adherence to treatment. These invariably lead to patient satisfaction and treatment outcome. This study explores the intersection of family medicine and linguistic psychology, examining how the choice of words, tone, and framing of medical discourse impact patient perception, trust, and compliance. Grounded in the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (Linguistic Relativity Theory), this research investigates how language structures in medical communication shape patients’ understanding of illness and treatment. It further considers the psychological implications of word choices, including the effects of positive and negative framing on health-related decision-making. By analysing linguistic patterns in consultations, this study highlights strategies for enhancing communication in family medicine to improve patient-centered care. The findings emphasize the need for intentional language use in medical settings, ensuring clarity, empathy, and cultural sensitivity to optimize patient engagement and health outcomes.