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Fit (seizure) #68

Open ericlamarca opened 5 years ago

ericlamarca commented 5 years ago

It will help content designers if we can clarify whether (and in what contexts) we use the word "fit (seizure)".

Apparently the Epilepsy Society no longer uses the word "fit". Why is that? Please talk to the 111 team, as they raised this as an issue.

There is a Jira ticket for this: SS-396.

sarawilcox commented 5 years ago

Discussed at August 2019 Style Council meeting. Agreed entries for fit and seizure for the A to Z of NHS health writing. To be published 4 September 2019.

sarawilcox commented 5 years ago

We have some follow up to do with issue #158.

sarawilcox commented 5 years ago

There's been a proposal that we reword what we say in the A to Z about seizure (or fit) as follows:

We add the word "fit" after "seizure" ("seizure (or fit)") in content about epilepsy, brain cancer and brain tumours. We know that "seizure" is the word that people with epilepsy use, understand and generally prefer and that it's not the same as a "fit" (which is a kind of seizure which makes the body jerk and shake uncontrollably). But some of our users don't understand the word "seizure" and adding the word "fit" when we first mention seizures helps them.​​

In general content, for example, with medicines that might make people jerk and shake uncontrollably as a side effect, we use the term "seizure (or fit)" and explain that this is what we mean.

To be discussed at the September Style Council meeting. Separated out from #158

sarawilcox commented 5 years ago

At Style Council,

We agreed “seizure or fit” at our last meeting but looked again at the alternative “seizure (or fit)” and whether this makes it clearer that the two terms are not the same. We also considered “seizure (sometimes called a fit)”. And the option of using “seizure (or fit)” in the heading and then only one or the other in the following text.

We decided to keep “seizure or fit” all around, as this covers people who may only use one term. We thought it wasn’t as confusing as the alternative options. St John’s Ambulance apparently uses “fit”.

However, we will change the explanation of the word “fit” in the A to Z from:

it's not the same as a "fit" (which is about jerking and shaking uncontrollably)

to

it's not the same as a "fit" (which is a kind of seizure which makes the body jerk and shake uncontrollably) Awaiting clinical approval.

JackMatthams commented 5 years ago

Changes made. They should be live next week.

chris-cox-nshe commented 5 months ago

Feedback from SDT (SCTASK0174583)

I’m intrigued as to why you use the word ‘fit’ when describing epilepsy. I run a social media page dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy & 96% of people with epilepsy agreed they think the term is outdated, inaccurate and demeaning. A fit is often viewed as an emotional outburst. This is not indicative of a seizure. Also, not all seizures are tonic clonics. Who do we contact to start the conversation about changing this inaccurate wording that many people find offensive?

Feedback from SDT (SCTASK0180117)

When describing epilepsy you used the term seizures or fits. The word fit is not acceptable whatsoever. Dogs have fits; people have seizures. Please correct this and remove the word fit.