If you've ever felt confused when speaking with a medical practitioner or overwhelmed after reading your own medical record, you are not alone. Communication with medical practitioners is not easy (despite the best of intentions), mainly because medical terminology has its own language. This course is designed to help you make sense of this language so that you can ask your medical care provider better questions, do your own research, and be informed about your own health.

The course uses simple methods to help you translate complex medical terms into familiar word parts.

Is there a “best” way to new learn a new language?

Science has teased out effective approaches to learning a new language. In general, most of us need to hear new words and practice using the words in several different ways. This course covers both. You will have access to a website that contains user-friendly tables, along with varied interactive activities (crosswords, case studies, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice questions) to strengthen your medical terminology muscle. All answers are provided, so you can monitor your progress. This course also includes several instructional videos so that you can hear the new terms used with proper context.

You do not need to have any background in the health sciences, pathology, or physiology to take this course. In fact, the main reason for developing this course is to make this distinct language accessible to everyone and anyone that has an interest in learning more about their own health. After completing this course, you will not be fluent in the language, but you will be able to recognize some of the more commonly used medical terms and understand the way a medical document is structured.