When a doctor says a patient’s tumour is progressing, their X-ray is impressive or the infection is occult, the news is bad — and certainly has nothing to do with witchcraft. 

But a study on medical terminology suggests patients are often bamboozled by the terms to the point where they can leave the consult with an impression not quite in line with the doctor’s intention.

Doctors tested the understanding of common terms by presenting 215 people attending the Minnesota State Fair in the US with a string of common medical phrases. 

None of the participants had medical training, but all spoke and read English.