Medical Slang in British Hospitals

Abstract

The usage, derivation, and psychological, ethical, and legal aspects of slang terminology in medicine are discussed. The colloquial vocabulary is further described and a comprehensive glossary of common UK terms provided in appendix. This forms the first list of slang terms currently in use throughout the British medical establishment.

Patient Safety in the Cardiac Operating Room: Human Factors and Teamwork

“…Increasing data on the impact of culture on patient safety highlight the need for a reevaluation of the current educational and training paradigm toward more collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches. [339][340][341][342] Safety Culture Versus Safety Climate An organization's safety culture refers to those collective behaviors and values that influence its ability to identify and mitigate hazards and systemic conditions that contribute to error. Safety culture has been stated to be "the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies and patterns of behavior that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organization's health and safety management."…”

Humor and Metaphors in Medical Language

“…Medical slang involves a specific vocabulary which has not been formalized in any medical text, yet is almost understood by nearly all junior physicians. The use increases during the last medical student years and peaks during internship when responsibilities are the most strenuous (Fox et al 2003). Derogatory humor may serve important functions, such as the survival and wellbeing of the professional within a set of challenging circumstances.…”

The X-ray request – an effective vehicle of communication?

“…11 Abbreviations may be an effective useful shorthand 12 but their use can impede communication 11 and when used alone, are not an effective means of communicating clinical details 13 as their use can cause confusion and ambiguity. 9,14,15,16,17 Evidently AP has at least fiftyone meanings 6 whilst PA has sixty-five 6 and PE has thirty-eight interpretations. 9,14,15,16,17 Evidently AP has at least fiftyone meanings 6 whilst PA has sixty-five 6 and PE has thirty-eight interpretations.…”

“…17 Thus abbreviations are a form of code and only work effectively when sender and recipient have an agreed meaning 19 and one professional should not assume that others understand abbreviations commonly used by their particular speciality. 11,16,21 Within medicine the number of abbreviations and acronyms in use has increased considerably, 6,7,22,23 reportedly by up to 10,000 in three years. 11,16,21 Within medicine the number of abbreviations and acronyms in use has increased considerably, 6,7,22,23 reportedly by up to 10,000 in three years.…”