Medical jargon can be overwhelming for patients and may make it difficult to comprehend important information from healthcare providers. If patients don’t fully grasp what’s being communicated, it can lead to uncertainty. This may affect their understanding of their health and treatments.
At Oakley Medical Practice, we prioritise patient understanding. This blog simplifies common medical terms to help you feel informed and confident.
Medical Jargon Meaning
Medical jargon is a term used to describe the language that is relevant to the medical field. These are typically long medical terms that have been shortened down or abbreviated to make communication between medical staff quicker and more efficient. For instance, red blood cells are often shortened to the acronym “RBC.”
While healthcare professionals are familiar with these terms, they can be confusing for their patients who are not used to them.
General Medical Terms
Acute: The term acute refers to an illness or condition that is sudden or rapidly progressing. This could describe anything from a broken bone to a skin rash. It’s usually a short-term illness but often requires urgent care.
Chronic: The medical term chronic is a direct contrast to acute. A chronic condition is usually long-term and lasts for three months or longer. They often develop slowly and can potentially worsen over time. This could describe conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Consultant Referrals: Consultants can refer patients to another specialist if they think it is clinically necessary, either in the same field or a different one. This referral can be within the same hospital or to another provider.
Diagnosis: A diagnosis is the method or process of identifying a disease, injury or condition from a patient’s symptoms. Doctors may use your health history, a health screening and tests, such as blood work, scans or biopsies to determine a diagnosis.
Common Procedures and Tests
Biopsy: A biopsy refers to taking a small sample of tissue from your body to be examined by a pathologist to identify any health conditions. The sample can be taken from almost anywhere on or in your body, such as your skin or organs.
Blood Test: A blood test involves a lab analysis of a blood sample, which can help health professionals assess your overall health or identify certain diseases or conditions.
Group B Strep Testing (GBS): Group B Strep testing is a simple way to check for the presence of GBS bacteria. This test is typically performed on pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. GBS is a type of bacteria that’s commonly found in the digestive tract. It’s usually harmless to adults but can be dangerous if passed to a baby through pregnancy.
MRI: An MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a full-body scan, using strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. It can be useful to gain insight into organs and muscles that don’t appear on X-rays.
QuantiFERON (QFT): QuantiFERON is a type of blood test used to detect the infection tuberculosis (TB). The test works to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is the bacteria responsible for TB.
Symptoms and Diagnosis Descriptions
Benign: Benign refers to a tumour, condition or growth that is not cancerous. This means it doesn’t spread to other parts of the body or invade nearby tissues.
Malignant: Malignant is a term used to describe cancerous cells. The cells grow in an uncontrollable way and can quickly spread to other parts of the body.
Edema: Edema appears as swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues. It is most common in areas, such as the feet, legs and ankles.
Infection: An infection is the invasion and growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or yeast. These germs can spread throughout the body and can cause feverish symptoms and other health issues.
Lesion: refers to an area in an organ or tissue that has been damaged through an injury, infection or disease. Lesions can range from common wounds to more severe tumours and ulcers.
Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations
BMI: Body Mass Index
BMI is the measure of a person’s body fat based on their height and weight. This measurement can be used to indicate if they are at risk for certain diseases.
BP: Blood Pressure
Blood pressure refers to the force of circulating blood against the wall of your arteries. A normal blood pressure reading is classed as around 120/80 mm Hg, but blood pressure can vary from person to person and by age.
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It’s used as a life-saving emergency procedure when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. It combines chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing to restore circulation during a cardiac arrest.
HR: Heart Rate
In medical terms, heart rate describes the number of times the heart beats, typically per minute.
RBC: Red Blood Cells
Red blood cells are often abbreviated to RBC. They are a type of blood cell responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Practical Tips for Patients
As confusing as medical jargon can be, we would encourage you to always ask your doctor to explain any terms you don’t understand. This will help to improve communication and make you feel more at ease.
Taking notes during your appointment can also help you remember key information later on after you leave. With a better understanding, you’ll be able to make more informed decisions about your health.
Clear Communication at The Oakley Medical Practice
At The Oakley Medical Practice, we value our patients’ health as well as their understanding. We believe clear communication leads to better care. As a private GP practice, our aim is to simplify medical jargon for you, so you feel confident and informed about your health.
Our team is here to support you through clear explanations and accessible resources, so you can make well-informed decisions every step of the way.
Get in touch with The Oakley Medical Practice for clear and supportive healthcare.
