How to Learn Medical Terminology
Medical is the study of diseases, illnesses and injuries of the body and its systems. It is also the science of health care and the practice of medicine, including diagnostic procedures and therapy. Its goal is to maintain and improve the health of humans through the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Medical journals often have long sections of clinical articles about specific diseases or disorders, and may also include new guidelines from major clinical societies. Other types of articles include editorials, review articles, and short research reports. Many journals allow readers to comment on or respond to articles through letters to the editor.
These articles provide healthcare providers with the latest information about diseases, disorders and conditions in patients. They are important for clinicians because they can help guide their diagnosis and treatment of patients. These articles can also help clinicians keep up to date on advances in medical practice, such as the latest recommendations on screening for cervical cancer or the effectiveness of a drug for treating epilepsy.
In addition to research articles, many medical journals contain news items about community events, announcements and obituaries of physicians. These kinds of ephemera can convey significant norms for physician conduct and help form a sense of community among the medical profession.
The language of medical terminology is heavily influenced by Latin and Greek roots, much like all languages, but has its own unique structure. Words in medical terminology are created by combining prefixes, suffixes and base words, which means it is a highly logical language that can be learnt quickly. The simplest way to start learning medical terms is to learn the root words and then work out from there.
Another useful tool is an online dictionary that provides definitions and pronunciation of medical terms. This can be used to check the meaning of a new term as you read it, or to look up an unfamiliar word you have come across in an article or book.
A good way to strengthen your knowledge of medical terminology is by taking a course in the subject. A popular one is offered through Des Moines University. It has 15 modules that you can access at no cost, although your progress is not tracked and a certificate of completion is not issued. This is ideal for healthcare professionals who need to document their knowledge of medical terminology but do not need a formal qualification from an academic institution.
Medical is the study of diseases, illnesses and injuries of the body and its systems. It is also the science of health care and the practice of medicine, including diagnostic procedures and therapy. Its goal is to maintain and improve the health of humans through the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Medical journals often have long sections of clinical articles about specific diseases or disorders, and may also include new guidelines from major clinical societies. Other types of articles include editorials, review articles, and short research reports. Many journals allow readers to comment on or respond to articles through letters to the editor. These articles provide healthcare providers with the latest information about diseases, disorders and conditions in patients. They are important for clinicians because they can help guide their diagnosis and treatment of patients. These articles can also help clinicians keep up to date on advances in medical practice, such as the latest recommendations on screening for cervical cancer or the effectiveness of a drug for treating epilepsy. In addition to research articles, many medical journals contain news items about community events, announcements and obituaries of physicians. These kinds of ephemera can convey significant norms for physician conduct and help form a sense of community among the medical profession. The language of medical terminology is heavily influenced by Latin and Greek roots, much like all languages, but has its own unique structure. Words in medical terminology are created by combining prefixes, suffixes and base words, which means it is a highly logical language that can be learnt quickly. The simplest way to start learning medical terms is to learn the root words and then work out from there. Another useful tool is an online dictionary that provides definitions and pronunciation of medical terms. This can be used to check the meaning of a new term as you read it, or to look up an unfamiliar word you have come across in an article or book. A good way to strengthen your knowledge of medical terminology is by taking a course in the subject. A popular one is offered through Des Moines University. It has 15 modules that you can access at no cost, although your progress is not tracked and a certificate of completion is not issued. This is ideal for healthcare professionals who need to document their knowledge of medical terminology but do not need a formal qualification from an academic institution.