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Medical Terminology Foundations

Colin Tempelis, PT, DPT, CSCS, PES

4.5

Based on 42 ratings

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Colin Tempelis, PT, DPT, CSCS, PES

This course is great for the student who is working towards graduate school and a career in health care or for the current healthcare practitioner looking to refresh their knowledge of medical terminology. This class will go through all of the body systems and most importantly will provide you with resources to help the material stick. I don't want to bore you with lectures running through words that you can read on your own, I want to provide you with the resources to make sure that you learn the material and can carry it forward in your career.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Medical terminology
Urinary system terms
Reproductive system terms
Integumentary system terms
Nervous system terms
Special senses terms

Endocrine system terms
General terms
Musculoskeletal terms
Digestive system terms
Cardiovascular/circulatory system terms
Respiratory system terms

Medical terminology
Urinary system terms
Reproductive system terms
Integumentary system terms
Nervous system terms
Special senses terms
Endocrine system terms
General terms
Musculoskeletal terms
Digestive system terms
Cardiovascular/circulatory system terms
Respiratory system terms

Syllabus

Introduction

Prefixes, Suffixes, Combining Forms, Plurals

General Terms

Body Structures

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive review of medical terminology across various body systems, which is useful for healthcare practitioners seeking to refresh their knowledge

Covers prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms, which builds a strong foundation for understanding complex medical terms encountered in advanced studies

Includes coverage of psychology and brain functions, which offers a unique perspective that may add color to other topics and subjects in healthcare

Focuses on providing resources to help the material stick, which is beneficial for students who prefer active learning and long-term retention

Examines the immune system, which is highly relevant to understanding current health challenges and advancements in medical science

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Reviews summary

Foundational medical terminology

According to learners, this course provides a positive and solid foundation in medical terminology, particularly beneficial for those entering healthcare fields or preparing for further study. Students widely praise the logical structure organized by body system and the effective method of breaking down terms into components (prefixes, suffixes, roots) which greatly aids understanding and memorization. The included quizzes and exercises are frequently mentioned as helpful tools for reinforcing the material. Learners also appreciate the useful resources provided for continued study. Some students noted that while strong on vocabulary building, the course could include more clinical application examples, and a few found the lecture style occasionally dry or lacking visuals.

Useful resources are provided for study.

"provide you with resources to help the material stick."

"Useful resources were provided."

"The provided resources are useful for ongoing study."

"Resources are great."

Quizzes and exercises reinforce learning effectively.

"The quizzes after each section were great for reinforcing learning."

"The exercises really helped me practice."

"The quizzes reinforce learning effectively."

Course organization by body system is effective.

"This course was exactly what I needed... broken down logically by body system, making it easy to follow."

"A solid introduction... The structure is good, covering all major systems."

"The course covers the basics well. It's organized by system, which makes sense."

"Good overview... The structure by body system is helpful."

"Organization by system was intuitive."

Breaking terms into parts aids understanding.

"I felt the emphasis on prefixes, suffixes, and roots was very beneficial."

"I liked the focus on roots, prefixes, and suffixes."

"The way terms are broken down into components (prefix, root, suffix) is incredibly helpful for memorization and understanding."

"I appreciated the focus on breaking down words."

Some found lectures dry, needing more visuals.

"I found some of the lectures a bit dry, and I would have liked more visual aids or interactive elements."

"lectures are just reading off definitions sometimes."

Needs more real-world clinical application examples.

"I needed more context and clinical examples to understand how the terms are used."

"I felt I had to do a lot of outside research."

"Would have appreciated more in-depth clinical application examples."

"Some sections felt a bit rushed, especially regarding specific diseases..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Medical Terminology Foundations with these activities:

Review Basic Anatomy and Physiology

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental anatomical structures and physiological processes. This will provide a solid foundation for grasping medical terminology related to specific body systems.

Browse courses on Anatomy and Physiology

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Review anatomical diagrams and charts.
Summarize the functions of major organ systems.
Complete practice quizzes on anatomical structures.

Read 'The Language of Medicine'

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Supplement your learning with a widely-used textbook on medical terminology. This book provides a structured approach to understanding the components of medical terms.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

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Read assigned chapters before each corresponding module.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter.
Create flashcards for key terms and definitions.

Create Flashcards for Each Body System

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Reinforce your understanding of medical terms by creating flashcards. This active learning technique will help you memorize prefixes, suffixes, root words, and their meanings.

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Identify key terms for each body system.
Write the term on one side of the flashcard.
Write the definition on the other side.
Review the flashcards regularly.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Participate in a Study Group

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Collaborate with peers to review medical terminology concepts. Explaining concepts to others and hearing different perspectives can enhance your understanding.

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Schedule regular study sessions with classmates.
Review course materials and discuss challenging concepts.
Quiz each other on medical terms and definitions.

Explore 'Medical Terminology: A Living Language'

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Deepen your understanding of medical terminology with a book that emphasizes the living and evolving nature of the language. This book provides historical context and etymological insights.

View Medical Terminology: A Living Language on Amazon

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Read chapters related to the current course module.
Pay attention to the etymology of medical terms.
Relate the historical context to modern usage.

Create a Medical Terminology Glossary

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Compile a comprehensive glossary of medical terms encountered throughout the course. This will serve as a valuable reference tool for future use.

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Compile a list of medical terms from each module.
Write clear and concise definitions for each term.
Organize the glossary alphabetically.
Include examples of how each term is used in context.

Career center

Learners who complete Medical Terminology Foundations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Medical Scribe

A medical scribe assists physicians and other healthcare professionals by documenting patient encounters in real time. Since the 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course covers all body systems and general medical terms, it is directly relevant to the daily tasks of a medical scribe. Having a strong grasp of medical terms for the urinary, reproductive, integumentary, nervous, special senses, endocrine, musculoskeletal, digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, as well as prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms, medical scribes can accurately and efficiently record patient information. This course can help prepare you for the fast paced environment of a medical scribe.

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Medical Coder

Medical coders assign standard codes to diagnoses and procedures for billing and statistical purposes. A strong understanding of medical terminology is essential to accurately translate medical documentation into standardized codes. The ‘Medical Terminology Foundations’ course assists in this role because it systematically covers all body systems and general medical terms. This course, by providing a comprehensive overview of prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms related to various medical specialties, leads to a greater ability to correctly assign codes as a medical coder.

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Physician Assistant

Physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. They examine, diagnose, and treat patients, and prescribe medications. Physician assistants require a strong foundation in medical terminology to accurately document patient information, communicate with healthcare teams, and understand medical literature. Since the 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course focuses on all body systems, it is directly applicable to the broad scope of practice of a physician assistant. Master the terminology in this course to begin on the path to becoming an effective physician assistant.

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Surgical Technician

Surgical technicians, also called surgical technologists, assist in surgical operations under the supervision of surgeons and registered nurses. Surgical technicians require a solid foundation in medical terminology to understand surgical procedures, anticipate the needs of the surgical team, and ensure a sterile environment. Since the 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course focuses on all body systems, it provides knowledge directly applicable to the operating room environment. Understanding the terminology covered in this course will help you succeed as a surgical technician.

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Medical Assistant

Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in the offices of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Understanding medical terminology is crucial for medical assistants when taking patient histories, recording vital signs, and assisting with examinations. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course is particularly helpful because it systematically covers terminology related to various body systems, including the musculoskeletal, nervous, circulatory, and respiratory systems. A medical assistant will gain a fundamental understanding from this course. This course helps build a foundation of medical terminology that can be applied in a variety of clinical settings as a medical assistant.

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Medical Biller

Medical billers are responsible for submitting and following up on insurance claims to ensure healthcare providers receive payment for services rendered. A solid understanding of medical terminology is critical for accurately interpreting medical records and translating them into appropriate billing codes. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course, which provides a comprehensive overview of medical terms related to all body systems, is a useful starting point for aspiring medical billers. This course helps build a foundation for understanding medical documentation, which supports accurate claim submissions.

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Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in dispensing prescription medications and providing customer service. They need to understand medical terminology to accurately interpret prescriptions and communicate with healthcare professionals. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course, with its coverage of prefixes, suffixes, and terms related to various body systems, helps pharmacy technicians understand the language of medicine. The course helps build a strong foundation for correctly interpreting medical abbreviations and drug names encountered in prescriptions and patient information.

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Medical Laboratory Technician

Medical laboratory technicians perform laboratory tests on body fluids and tissues to assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. A strong understanding of medical terminology is crucial for accurately interpreting test results, documenting findings, and communicating with physicians and other healthcare professionals. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course can be helpful for medical laboratory technicians, as it provides a broad understanding of medical terms related to various body systems. Improve your understanding and ability to perform accurate lab tests as a medical laboratory technician.

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Physical Therapist

Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries and illnesses by developing and implementing rehabilitation programs. They need to understand medical terminology to accurately assess patient conditions, document progress, and communicate with other healthcare professionals. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course, with its detailed coverage of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, is particularly helpful for physical therapists. This course can also help physical therapists understand prefixes and suffixes, which is critical to communicating with doctors.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. A strong understanding of medical terminology is critical for occupational therapists to properly assess a patient's needs, communicate with doctors, and formulate plans. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course covers a wide array of systems and ailments. The course may be useful in developing your knowledge of medical records, and thus better serve the patients you treat as an occupational therapist.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech Language Pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients. These professionals need to have a strong understanding of medical terminology to accurately assess patient conditions, document progress, and communicate with other healthcare professionals. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course, with coverage of the nervous system, special senses, and psychology systems, is particularly helpful for speech language pathologists. This course may be useful for developing a good foundation for understanding medical language.

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Radiologic Technologist

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations such as x-rays, MRI, and CT scans. They need to understand medical terminology to accurately position patients, interpret physician orders, and document imaging procedures. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course, with its coverage of body structures, systems, and general medical terms, can be helpful to radiologic technologists. The course may be useful to radiologic technologists, helping them to communicate effectively with radiologists.

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Registered Nurse

Registered nurses provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. Foundational knowledge of medical terminology is essential for nurses to understand medical charts, communicate effectively with healthcare teams, and educate patients. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course, with its comprehensive coverage of body systems, helps nurses build a solid understanding of medical language. This course may be useful in quickly developing your understanding of medical records, and thus better serve the patients you care for as a registered nurse.

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Emergency Medical Technician

Emergency medical technicians provide out-of-hospital care and transportation for sick or injured patients. They need to understand medical terms to accurately communicate patient conditions to hospital staff and to comprehend medical orders. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course, which covers general terms, body structures, and systems such as the circulatory and respiratory systems, is beneficial for EMTs. It helps them quickly grasp essential medical language. This course can also help an emergency medical technician understand prefixes and suffixes, which is critical when listening to and responding to doctor's orders.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. While not directly involved in clinical work, they need to understand medical terminology to manage healthcare operations effectively, communicate with medical staff, and ensure regulatory compliance. The 'Medical Terminology Foundations' course, with its broad coverage of body systems and medical terms, can be helpful for healthcare administrators. It may give administrators a better understanding of the medical aspects of their roles. The material covered in this course can provide contextual insight into the important work done by medical professionals.

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Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Medical Terminology Foundations.

Principles of Neural Science, Sixth Edition

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This foundational and comprehensive textbook widely considered the authoritative reference in the field of neuroscience. It is essential for gaining a deep and broad understanding of the nervous system, covering molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive neuroscience. It is commonly used as a graduate-level textbook and a valuable reference for professionals.

Medical Terminology Foundations

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Foundational medical terminology

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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