FOREWORD
This publication is one of a number of workbooks produced by The Australian Medical
Association (WA) Inc as a resource for the health sector. It is utilised within AMA
Recruitment and Training and Health Training Australia (HTA) at Nedlands as a
training resource and within the workplace as a support guide.
The development of this workbook was undertaken by trainers and developers within
AMA and HTA, who have both industry knowledge and specific expertise in the
course content and in curriculum development.
Although every effort has been made to present reliable and accurate information, the
AMA will assume no responsibility for outcomes and actions resulting from the
application of the information presented in this workbook. Users are encouraged to
confirm application in conjunction with protocols within their specific work
environment.
This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study,
research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be
reproduced by any process without written permission. Please forward all enquiries
to:
The Manager
AMA Training Services
Australian Medical Association (WA) Inc
PO Box 133
NEDLANDS WA 6909
Telephone: (08) 9273 3044
Facsimile: (08) 9273 3045
CONTENTS
Page
INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS .............................................................................. 6
Training..................................................................................................................... 6
Assessment .............................................................................................................. 6
Tips for Learners ...................................................................................................... 7
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 8
Aim ........................................................................................................................... 8
Learning Objectives .................................................................................................. 8
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ................................................................................. 9
Privacy and Confidentiality ....................................................................................... 9
The principle of privacy and confidentiality ............ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Management of Health Information in General PracticeError! Bookmark not
defined.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (WA) ................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Duty of Care ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Common law ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE .................................................. 10
ORIGINS OF MEDICAL WORDS .............................................................................. 11
Basic Concepts of Medical Terminology ................................................................. 11
Origins and Major Influences .................................................................................. 11
Five Types of Medical Terms.................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
COMPONENTS OF MEDICAL WORDS ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Roots ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Combining Vowels .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Prefixes..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Suffixes ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Noun Suffixes ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Adjective Suffixes ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
USING MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY........................................................................... 12
Building Medical Words .......................................................................................... 12
Word Building Flowchart ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Spelling of Difficult Words ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Using spell-checkers ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Homophones ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Plurals ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Pronunciation............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Reading Medical Terms ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Literal Definition vs Dictionary Definition ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.
MAJOR BODY SYSTEMS ........................................................................................ 13
Musculoskeletal System ......................................................................................... 13
Cardiovascular System ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Respiratory System .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Nervous System ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Digestive System ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Integumentary System .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Lymphatic System .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Endocrine System .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Urinary System ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
CONTENTS
Page
Female Reproductive System................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Male Reproductive System ....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
AREAS OF MEDICINE AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Origin of Titles .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Medical and Surgical Terminology............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Pharmacology........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Basic Drug Names.................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1. Chemical names ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2. Generic names ............................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3. Proprietary or brand names ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
4. Therapeutic class names ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMS) ........ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Drug terminology ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Cancer ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Types of Cancer .................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Types of treatment ................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Anaesthesia .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Types of anaesthesia ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES .................................................................................. 15
Important Suffixes ................................................................................................... 15
Medical Imaging and Radiology................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Pathology.................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
APPENDIX 1 COMMON MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS .. Error! Bookmark not defined.
APPENDIX 2 GLOSSARY .............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Prefixes..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Suffixes ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Combining Forms ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
APPENDIX 3 DEFINITION OF GENERAL MEDICAL TERMSError!
defined.
Bookmark
not
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
PRE-ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS
This learning guide will assist you in developing skills and knowledge to work
effectively in the health industry and to apply these skills to your workplace and daily
tasks.
Training
Competence means that you have the required knowledge and skills to do your job.
These are described in ‘competency standards’. Your training will be based on these
to make sure it is relevant to the needs of your job and yourself. The PreAssessment Checklist included at the back of this learning guide states the standards
of competence.
The purpose of the training is to develop your workplace competence, so you will be
expected to practise your skills whenever you can. This can be done through work
experience, practical sessions in a training organisation or through your full time or
part-time job. It is important that you have both theoretical and practical knowledge
and skills.
Assessment
Once you have completed your training and practised your skills, you will be ready to
have your skills and knowledge assessed. The purpose of this is not to see if you can
pass a test but to determine if you can perform work tasks competently. Complete the
Pre-Assessment Checklist at the end of this learning guide. This sets out the skills
and knowledge you will need to demonstrate during your assessment to be deemed
competent in this unit.
If you have any questions about this learning guide contact:
TRAINING PROVIDER:
AMA Training Services
ADDRESS:
14 Stirling Highway, NEDLANDS WA 6009
TRAINING CONSULTANT:
CONTACT DETAILS:
Ph: (08) 9273 3044
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Fax: (08) 9273 3045
INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS
Tips for Learners
Read through the information in the learning guide carefully. Make sure you
understand the material. If you come across anything you do not understand:
Discuss your training with your trainer and make sure you understand what is
required and how the training will be organised.
Ask for feedback on your progress as you work through the activities.
Ask for help when you need it. Talk to more experienced colleagues or your
trainer and ask for their guidance.
Listen, take notes, ask questions and practise your new skills as often as
possible. This way you will improve your speed, memory and also your
confidence.
During your training, you should seek other sources of information as well; e.g.
reference books, the Internet. Some of these are suggested in the guide.
Try to relate the information presented in this learning guide to your own
experiences and to what you already know.
Work through the activities. They are there for a reason and even if you already
have the knowledge or skills relating to a particular activity, doing them will help to
reinforce what you already know. If you do not understand an activity, think
carefully about the way the question or instructions are phrased.
In this unit examples are given from Western Australian
legislation. Each state and territory has adapted their own
legislation relevant to their needs and requirements but they are
all very similar. To look at relevant legislation that governs your
state or territory go to:
Australian Government website www.australia.gov.au/Legislation
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INTRODUCTION
This learning guide will provide you with information that will assist in you to interpret
and apply medical terminology appropriately. The unit which is covered in this
learning guide will provide you with an understanding of:
Responding appropriately to instructions which contain medical terminology.
Carrying out routine tasks.
Using appropriate medical terminology in oral and written communication.
Aim
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to understand and respond to
instructions, to carry out routine tasks and communicate with a range of
internal/external clients in a medical environment and to use appropriate advanced
medical terminology.
Learning Objectives
Receive, interpret and document written and oral instructions using medical
terminology using a checklist where appropriate.
Ensure understanding of abbreviations for specialised medical terminology and
associated processes.
Ensure understanding of and adhere to the organisation’s policies and
procedures seeking clarification where necessary.
Use medical terminology correctly in the completion of routine tasks seeking
assistance from a supervisor or experienced member of staff as required.
Spell and pronounce medical terminology correctly.
Use appropriate medical terminology as directed in oral and
communication with patients, fellow workers and health professionals.
written
Present written communication to a designated person for verification if required.
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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
When working within a medical/health caring setting it is necessary to adhere to all
policies and procedures within the workplace to ensure compliance with current
legislation. The legislation and Codes of Practice most relevant in these areas are:
Privacy Act
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Code of Practice for
the Management of Health Information in General Practice.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (WA).
Duty of care policy.
Privacy and Confidentiality
All staff working within a health care setting will be required to have a comprehensive
understanding of the purpose of health records. This includes being able to provide
written reports and workplace forms that will contain clear, concise and factual
information that reflects legal and organisational requirements.
As part of your job role you may be required to file documents in the patient’s/client’s
health records and in accordance with your organisation’s requirements. You must
also at all times protect the confidentiality of patient/client health records in
accordance with the organisation’s policies and procedures.
In general, the patient/clients need to know that they can trust you not to pass on
sensitive information without their consent.
Many individuals and organisations providing services to patient/clients will be
affected by Commonwealth or State privacy legislation. These laws regulate the
collection, use and disclosure of patient/client’s personal information.
The National Privacy Principles have been developed by the Australian
Government to guide organisations in the collection, use and storage of
patient/client information.
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MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE
Medical terminology is used in all aspects of health care. In a medical administrative
role you will be required to use appropriate and accurate terminology to describe:
Common medical conditions, including illnesses, injuries and diseases.
Causes to changes in the systems of the body.
Interrelated function of the body, locations and diseases.
Medical investigations and procedures.
Health insurance terminology.
Departments/sections within a hospital setting.
Further to this whilst undertaking your daily role you may be required to use and
understand medical terminology in a variety of documents which may include:
Theatre lists.
Referrals.
Routine reports.
Test results.
Drug orders.
Diary entries.
Instructions for postoperative care.
Patient notes.
Telephone calls.
It is essential that all medical terminology used in documentation is accurate. If you
are unsure about any medical term, before you produce the final document, seek
clarification from:
Experienced staff members/supervisors.
Medical dictionary.
Practice manuals.
Relevant handbooks.
Drug and prescription information sources and databases.
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COMPONENTS OF MEDICAL WORDS
ORIGINS OF MEDICAL WORDS
Basic Concepts of Medical Terminology
Medical terminology is how doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers
communicate; it is the language of medicine.
An understanding of the structure of medical terms and an ability to break down a
medical term into its parts helps you get the most out of using a medical dictionary
and makes relating to with medical terminology less challenging than it first appears.
Origins and Major Influences
Most medical terms derive from Greek or Latin origins, although some are derived
from modern languages, particularly German, French and English. In general, terms
dealing with diagnosis and surgery have Greek origins, whereas anatomical terms
have Latin origins.
Major influences include:
Ancient Greece – Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Modern Medicine’ (5th Century BC).
Ancient Rome – the rise and fall of the Roman Empire (after 300 BC).
Mythology and culture.
Natural world – plants, animals, shapes, astronomy, tools and household items.
The French influence – the Norman Conquest (1066).
The English Renaissance (16th Century) – Andreas Vesalius (1540).
In contrast to ancient Greece, ancient Romans did not have a well developed concept
of medicine. They absorbed ideas from the Greek and Egyptians when Rome
occupied those countries. This eventually added a bit of Latin to the language.
Many early medical terms were based on the names of characters in mythology and
ordinary words that reflected the world about them. When the Normans conquered
Britain, French words were added to the language and the work of Andreas Vesalius
introduced many more Latin anatomical terms.
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USING MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
USING MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Building Medical Words
There are four rules that apply when combining word parts to form medical words.
They all relate to the inclusion or omission of combining vowels between the word
parts.
1. When linking a root to a suffix, a combining vowel is not used if the suffix
begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u).
gastr-
-itis
root
suffix
stomach
inflammation/infection of
2. When linking a root to a suffix, a combining vowel must be used if the suffix
begins with a consonant.
gastr-
-o-
-scope
root
combining vowel
suffix
stomach
(no meaning)
instrument to view
3. A combining vowel is not needed to link a prefix with any other word part.
hemi-
-gastr-
-ectomy
prefix
root
suffix
half
stomach
removal of
4. A combining vowel is always used to link one root to another root in words
which have two or more roots.
gastr-
-o-
-enter-
-itis
root
combining vowel
root
suffix
stomach
(no meaning)
intestine
inflammation/infection of
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MAJOR BODY SYSTEMS
Musculoskeletal System
The term 'skeleton' is Greek for ‘a dried up body’. The human skeleton normally
consists of 206 bones. Bones meet at joints where they are connected via fibrous
connective tissues called ligaments. Muscles are joined to the bones by fibrous
connective tissues called tendons.
The functions of the skeleton are to:
Act as a framework that supports and protects vital organs and soft tissues.
Provide points of attachment for muscles and assist in movement.
Store minerals which can be released into the blood.
Assist in the manufacture of red blood cells (via the bone marrow).
The functions of the muscles are to:
Effect movement of the body as a whole.
Move internal organs involved in the vital processes which keep the body alive.
Support the body against the force of gravity and maintain an upright stance.
The areas of medicine that are concerned with the musculoskeletal system include
orthopaedic surgery, rheumatology and sports medicine.
The spine is also known as the spinal or vertebral column. It consists of bones
called vertebrae (singular: vertebra). Between these bones are pads of cartilage
called intervertebral discs which help to provide flexibility and act as shockabsorbers. The back and spinal column are divided into five main regions.
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1. The cervical region is the neck region (C1 to
C7).
2. The thoracic, dorsal, is the chest region (T1 to
T12).
Some radiologists use D for dorsal instead
of T for thoracic: that is T1 = D1.
3. The lumbar region is the region of the loin
(waist) or flank region (L1 to L5).
4. The sacral region consists of five bones fused
to form one unit called the sacrum.
5. The coccygeal region consists of four bones
fused to form one unit called the coccyx
(tailbone).
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DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
Diagnostic procedures are performed to gather information to help doctors make or
confirm, a diagnosis and not usually performed to treat patient’s/client’s medical
conditions. Pathology, radiology and nuclear medicine are important areas of
medicine that are concerned with diagnostic procedures.
Important Suffixes
1. -opsy
process of
medical examination or inspection.
2. -scopy
process of
viewing, examining using an instrument.
3. -metry
process of
measuring.
4. -graphy
process of
recording in form of drawing, writing, presenting, tracing,
describing.
MEDICAL TERM
DEFINITION
arthroscopy
Looking into the joints
audiometry
Measurement of hearing
autopsy
Examination of a dead body
biopsy
Examination of small pieces of living tissue under a
microscope
colonoscopy
Visual examination of the large bowel (colon)
electrocardiography
Recording the electrical activity of the heart tissue
electroencephalography
Recording the electrical activity of the brain
electromyography
Recording the electrical activity of the muscles
laparoscopy
Surgical inspection of the abdominal cavity using a
scope
mammography
X ray screening examination of the breast
ophthalmoscopy
Visual inspection of the eye
otoscopy
Examination of the ear
pelvimetry
Measurement of the pelvis
radiography
Examination of the internal structures of the body
ultrasonography
Process of recording via sound waves
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