The course objective is to introduce students to the language of healthcare. Students learn how medical terms are built using prefixes, root words, and suffixes, and how these components come together to describe anatomy, body systems, and clinical conditions. Students explore terminology across a wide range of topics, including major organ systems, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and professional healthcare communication. By the end of the course, students are able to define, construct, and interpret medical terms with confidence. Students will translate everyday language into accurate medical vocabulary, recognize terms related to both healthy functioning and disease, and use terminology fluently in medical communication such as clinical documentation. The course also builds understanding of terminology used in medication orders and imaging reports and emphasizes clear, ethical, and culturally sensitive communication, which are essential skills in every healthcare setting.
