Professionals across all sectors of the healthcare industry regularly use various types of language and abbreviations in an effort to quickly and concisely document data, explain conditions staff and patients and give instructions to staff. Medical terminology is used to identify and signify parts of the human body, symptoms, conditions, procedures, tests and related protocols. Administrative professionals need an understanding in order to properly document and keep medical records and charts, develop insurance claims and other similar documents. Developing a fundamental understanding and knowledge of medical terminology is vital to both prospective and current healthcare professionals to ensure everyone working in a medical setting can speak the same language, with a solid comprehension of medical and health data that is essential to successful communication between providers and insurance companies and absolutely vital to ensuring successful patient care and access.

The Survey of Medical Terminology course is a primer to common medical terminology for individuals new to the Healthcare industry. Students who complete this course will gain a basic understanding of the various root words, prefixes and suffixes used in throughout basic medical language. The course will ensure students know the proper pronunciation and spelling of key terms, and provides a context for use of these terms in order to enhance their understanding. Throughout this course, students will cover medical terms related to all major body systems including the muscular system, the skeletal system, the respiratory system, circulatory system, digestive system, reproductive system and urinary system. It provides a survey of medical terminology, symbols and abbreviations, and the application of this new language in the field of Healthcare.

The Survey of Medical Terminology course will address the following primary course objectives:

• Explain the importance of medical terminology when documenting and communicating patient information
• Identify the fundamental word structure of medical terminology and its component parts
• Analyze medical terminology based on word structure
• Describe the component parts that make up the body
• Define common medical terms and abbreviations
• Describe the organization and structure of the human body
• Build medical terminology related to body structures, functions, and disorders