References
Mastering medical terminology
Abstract
Mastering medical terminology is critical for enabling effective communication in health care. Following the completion of their university degrees, nursing students require, on average, a working knowledge of circa 6000 to 8000 medical terms (Uherová and Hornáková, 2013). Learning medical terminology, however, proves challenging for nursing students as the majority of these terms derive from Greek and Latin classical languages, which receive limited dedicated teaching in the curriculum.
Mastering medical terminology is critical for enabling effective communication in health care. Following the completion of their university degrees, nursing students require, on average, a working knowledge of circa 6000 to 8000 medical terms (Uherová and Hornáková, 2013). Learning medical terminology, however, proves challenging for nursing students as the majority of these terms derive from Greek and Latin classical languages, which receive limited dedicated teaching in the curriculum.
Medical terminology is the unique language used by health professionals to communicate precisely about patient care. These terms are used to describe body processes and structures, systems and diagnoses, as well as to communicate issues pertaining to patient treatment. Research indicates that nursing students perceive clear value in receiving dedicated teaching on the linguistic rules of medical terminology (McAllister et al, 2023; McAllister et al, 2024).
This article presents 10 essential principles to guide educators and students through the process of mastering medical terminology using evidence-based strategies. Both linguistic morphology and spaced repetition are techniques used to enhance medical terminology teaching and learning. These approaches support the reinforcement of the content learned, while contributing to language learning through active word-part engagement by the student (Lieber, 2021; Zhang et al, 2022; McAllister et al, 2024).
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