I am studing to be a medical assitant. I am having a hard time remembering and pronouncing the medical terminology. Can you give me some ideas of becoming better at LARGE words and their meanings?
In addition to the ideas here -- (Broken Link Removed) -- you should also make flash cards, not only of the words themselves, but also of all the prefixes, root words, and suffixes of the words you are studying. One of the most helpful things about medical terminology is that a great deal of it is based on Greek and Latin prefixes, roots, and sometimes suffixes.
http://www.google.com/search?q=greek+latin+roots+prefixes+medical&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA_en
Absolutely! Learning and pronouncing medical terminology can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can become better at it. Here are a few ideas to help you improve your understanding and pronunciation of medical terminology:
1. Break words down into root words, prefixes, and suffixes: Medical terms are often composed of different parts, such as roots, prefixes, and suffixes. By understanding the meaning of these individual components, you can better comprehend and remember the full word. For example, "cardiomyopathy" can be broken down into "cardio" (heart), "myo" (muscle), and "pathy" (disease), which helps you understand that it refers to a disease of the heart muscle.
2. Learn common prefixes and suffixes: Familiarize yourself with common prefixes and suffixes, as they can provide valuable clues about the meaning of medical terms. For example, "hyper-" means excessive or increased, while "-itis" indicates inflammation. By understanding these building blocks, you can have a head start in understanding various medical terms.
3. Use flashcards or mnemonic devices: Create flashcards with the medical terms you need to learn. On each card, write the term on one side and its meaning on the other. Regularly review and quiz yourself with these flashcards to reinforce your knowledge. Additionally, you can create mnemonic devices or memory aids to link a term with its meaning. For example, you could associate the term "arthroscopy" (a procedure to examine joints) with the image of a telescope exploring inside a joint.
4. Practice proper pronunciation: Pronouncing medical terminology correctly is important for effective communication. Start by breaking down the word into its components and understanding the pronunciation of each part. Use online resources, medical dictionaries, or audio recordings to listen to the correct pronunciation. Slowly practice saying the words out loud, focusing on articulating each syllable.
5. Seek resources and additional learning aids: Utilize online resources, textbooks, or even smartphone apps specifically designed for learning medical terminology. These resources often include interactive exercises, quizzes, and pronunciation guides to help you practice and reinforce your knowledge.
6. Engage in hands-on learning: Actively engage in your studies by participating in lab sessions, clinical rotations, or internships. Experiencing medical procedures, interactions, and using terms in real-life scenarios will reinforce your understanding and help you remember the terminology better.
Remember, learning medical terminology takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and approach it systematically. Start with the most common terms and gradually build your knowledge as you become more comfortable.