WORTH AND VALUE OF USING AN OLD NOBLE LANGUAGE - MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
- Authors: Korneeva M.M1, Varnavskaya E.V1
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- Issue: Vol 4, No 1 (2015)
- Pages: 456-457
- Section: Articles
- URL: https://new.vestnik-surgery.com/index.php/2415-7805/article/view/2871
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Abstract
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Medical terminology is the language of medicine. Succeeding in virtually any healthcare career begins with a solid understanding of medical terminology. This supports a standardized “language of medicine”. The specific terminology allows healthcare providers and doctors or HIM professionals the ability to get their daily work done. What is the meaning of the term terminology? It can be a set of expressions, terms, symbols or designations used to represent concepts that are specific to a particular discipline, science, or specialized subject area. This terminology is used by healthcare professionals all around the world to communicate with each other and their patients. Anyone working in a healthcare environment, benefits by the ability to read and interpret the medical terms used in reports and health records. Learning medical terminology serves as an important tool for medical professionals. It is similar to studying a foreign language, where memorizing applied rules play a significant part in mastering the profession. In addition, pronunciation and spelling must also be learned. A significant number of medical terms can be easier defined by breaking the term into its component - roots, suffixes and prefixes. Many medical terms are actually word parts made up of word roots, suffixes and prefixes. Memorizing standard word parts makes it possible to decipher the meaning of almost any medical term. Knowing the structure of a word helps us immediately separate the meaning of the term - either it is a dysfunction or inflammation, hyper or hypo effect. This is why it is essential for everybody, not just doctors, to know these words and their meanings. Practice and memorization in this specific language is a key. Usually scientists and medical professionals work with literature in foreign languages to obtain international information. They may not understand every word, but they are able to get the idea, because the common terminology. On the other hand, a person who is not familiar with a language and is reading articles or books, or is listening to a speech filled with terminology, will find it difficult to understand, even in his own native language. That said, medical terminology is consistent all over the world, because wherever they may be in an emergency situation, doctors will be able to help each other. Medical terminologies are universal to the healthcare and medical industries, helping to understand completely what is happening or what has to be done for a patient. This language is not just limited to doctors, nurses and/or medical practitioners. It is also important for other workers in the healthcare industry to master it as well - this may include medical billers, coders, assistants and more. Today, there are many medical teleconferences that exchange experiences and provide operational information where known professionals can understand each other even without translation. Medical terms are used to accurately describe the condition of the patient and the treatment that he needs to undergo. Medical terminology creates a standard way for health care professionals to communicate. It allows them to understand what the diagnosis and procedures are, and how patients are being treated. Understanding medical terminology allows the clinician to process the information listed in reports given from a patient’s previous clinic, ultimately helping to create a treatment. Without proper training and knowledge with terminology, the communication between healthcare workers may become confusing and the patient may not get the proper treatment. Standard terms are important to ensure a complete understanding of a patient’s issues. Specialists speak in a language familiar to all concerned - the language of medicine. Many specialized areas have their own specific terminology. Moreover, the profession is characterized by the fluent usage of current terms and phrases. Medical terminology is a language that has been used for thousands of years. From the time of Hippocrates scientists have been constantly adding new medical terms, which have been extremely important for mankind. Medical books and letters have been written throughout the centuries, providing invaluable material to whoever studies medicine. All who have studied medicine must have had some exposure to medical terms, and even those of us who are not connected to healthcare are aware of many of these terms. Medical terminology is composed of abbreviations and understanding them makes documentation much faster and easier. Clinicians treat many patients within one day, which means a great deal of documentation. Short abbreviations allow for a fast way to document in the patient’s record. Another reason for using terminology is that at times, one word may contain an unusually long definition, which may even contain the symptom of a specific illness. For example, the term “dysdiadochokinesia” means an impaired ability to perform rapid, alternating movements. Very often professionals will use this terminology instead of simpler English in order to hide details regarding the patient’s condition in order to help the family through an emotional experience. Also, there are times during a procedure that patients want to know exactly what is happening. If they suspect something is hidden from them, they may lose control and panic. In this way, the doctor can avoid any problems during the operation. Throughout the centuries we have gained experience from our ancestors which have strengthened us. These experiences have made us familiar with our surroundings and have allowed us to build upon the past. We are constantly discovering new facts of the ancient world and its history. Similarly, it could be that a disaster may occur that may eliminate much of the human race. Our descendants will be able to piece together the information gleaned from the remnants. Certainly, medical terminology would help us understand, just as the unraveling of the DNA code has helped us today. They may even understand the difference between languages because they will find similar words in several languages, which will help to comprehend the main idea. By identifying different letters and phrases in a foreign language due to the specific terminology it will be easier to connect the dots which belonged to a dead civilization. I believe that without the medical terminology at our disposal, we would not be able to understand the significance - the mystery of human life. We are very lucky to be the heirs of the many medical journals and letters that have come into our hands throughout the generations.×