Welcome. I'm so glad you have decided to explore learning the language of medical terminology with me. Whether you are bound for a career in medicine, or just looking for something new and interesting to study, you've made a great choice. Why you ask? Let me count the ways. One, studying medical terminology can promote good health. Everybody has a body, and it will need healthcare at some point. Perhaps you will need advice on preventative care to remain healthy, medical care to address a disease or disorder, or rehabilitative care to recover from an injury. Regardless of the reason, we all encounter health care needs at some point. A basic knowledge of medical terminology can help you navigate the healthcare system. From choosing the right specialists to making sure you understand the diagnosis, speaking the language helps. Knowing which doctors specializes in treating which part of the body may prevent wasted time and money seeking a referral to a specialist through a general practitioner. Medical terminology can also help make a confusing diagnosis clear, and even help you understand what kinds of test, images, and referrals a health care practitioner might order. Empowering yourself with the basic understanding of medical terminology may also decrease some of the fear and uncertainty that it can accompany interactions with the healthcare system. This decreased fear can in turn lead to increased confidence in your ability to obtain the proper medical attention, which may also increase the likelihood of seeking out healthcare and promoting good health. Studying medical terminology can promote good health. Studying medical terminology also promotes effective communication between a healthcare provider and the patient. Have you ever been surrounded by people who were all speaking a language that you did not understand? I have. It can be very confusing. What might be a kind word can sound like an insult. The inability to understand what people around you are saying can create a sense of paranoia. Wait, what did you just say about me? Not speaking the language can also make it more difficult if not impossible to tell people what you need. If you've ever seen a toddler having a tantrum, or been the recipient of their wrath, you know the importance of being able to communicate your needs and the frustration of not being able to do so. The same holds true with the language of medical terminology. Perhaps you need to be able to clearly express your symptoms to your healthcare provider, who just isn't understanding what you're trying to describe. This course can help. Perhaps you already speak medical terminology in your native language but are seeking to provide healthcare to the English-speaking population. This course can help. Whether you are the future healthcare provider or the current patient, studying medical terminology promotes effective communication. Now for a 10-second brain break. Are you still counting? So far I have given you two reasons why you should study medical terminology, health and communication. But wait, there's more. Reason Number 3, using medical terminology properly earns respect. Have you ever had a friend, colleague, or love interest who spoke a different language? I have. Learning the basic greetings and phrases like hello, please, thank you, yes, and no, and their native language was one of the first things I did to show respect for them and their culture. Even if I did it with a thick Texas accent, they knew I was trying, and I got better with practice, or maybe you were the one who spoke a different language. How did it feel when someone expressed interest in learning to communicate with you and your native language? Even if they didn't do it perfectly, the sincere and honest effort matter, right? Just like communicating with someone in their native language, using medical terminology with a medical professional tells them that you understand their background, and are attempting to relate to them on a deeper level. This can allow for more open, meaningful conversation. Even if you can't speak medical terminology fluently, being able to understand and repeat the medical terms correctly in layman's terms shows respect for the language. It can also build the healthcare professional's respect for you and your ability to understand the situation. Using medical terminology properly earns respect. Number 4, studying medical terminology may lead to a job. Have you heard of medical scribing? A medical scribe is someone who assist a medical professional, initially a physician by gathering and documenting information from the patient's visit in an electronic healthcare record. A solid foundation in medical terminology can be an asset on your medical scribe resume. Beyond medical scribing, perhaps you want to work in a healthcare office, or volunteer with a healthcare organization. Studying medical terminology may help you during interviews, and make you feel more comfortable and confident in your work environment. Taking this course is a great way to learn not only the medical terms themselves but also the skills to build and break down new terms that you may come across in your work. [inaudible]. Official disclaimer, please note that this course does not in any way guarantee employment, but building medical terminology skills may help you feel more confident in applying for healthcare positions, and could be an attractive addition to your resume. So cultivate those skills and watch them grow. Finally, the 5th reason to study medical terminology is to facilitate the ability to advocate for the health of yourself and your loved ones. Being able to read medical records, pathology, and imaging reports, and even prescriptions may help you make better informed decisions about what is happening, and what needs to happen. For better or worse, you can have the knowledge and skills to understand what is going on with your own health and the health of those you hold dear. As with all good things, this lecture too must come to an end. Thanks for exploring why you should study medical terminology with me. See you next time.
