Medical Terminology

The course provides an introduction to a broad scope of medical staff services and credentialing topics for self-motivated adults who have a need or desire to know more about medical staff services management. The program is sponsored and administered by the NAMSS Institute, the educational division of the National Association Medical Staff Services.

Knowledge of medical terminology is vital information to all healthcare professionals. The study of medical terminology requires the student to use an organized and planned approach.

In the area of medical staff services and provider credentialing, knowledge of medical terminology is necessary for:

• The credentialing process of healthcare practitioners' appointment and reappointment applications.

Those lacking basic knowledge of medical terminology will not be able to determine appropriate qualifications when healthcare providers request specific privileges or procedures.

• Writing section/department meeting minutes.

Without the basic knowledge of medical terminology, it could be exceedingly difficult to determine what should be documented at medical staff meetings. As discussions and case reviews take place, it is important to understand the terminology being used.

• Credentialing for new procedures.

If a procedure is new, a basic knowledge of medical terminology enables the medical staff services and provider credentialing professionals to understand the procedure, if it requires specific training/education by the healthcare provider, and how it relates to other procedures.

Entry-Level Standards To qualify for enrollment, the student must provide proof of high school graduation (i.e., copy of high school transcript or diploma, GED certificate or college transcript or diploma).

Prerequisites: None

Texts and Other Reference Materials

Text: NAMSS Independent Study Course 2

Recommended References: (The following references were used in the development of this course and may be helpful study tools to the student.  However, they are not required reading in order to complete the course.)

1. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy  (17th ed.) by M. Beers & R. Berkow; Merck & Co., Rahway, NJ (1999)
2. The Language of Medicine  (6th ed.) by D.E.Chabner; W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA (2000)
3. Medical Terminology:  An Illustrated Guide  (3rd ed.), by B.J. Cohen; J. B. Lippincott Co., New York (1998)
4. Memmler's Structure and Function of the Human Body  (7th ed.) by B.J. Cohen and D. Lin; J. B. Lippincott Co., New York (2000)
5. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary  (29th ed.) by J. P. Friel (Ed.); W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA (2000)
6. Stedman's Medical Dictionary  (26th ed.) by W. Hensyl; William and Wilkinson, Baltimore, MD (1995)
7. Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health  (6th ed.) by B.F. Miller and C.B. Keane; W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA (1997)
8. The Davis Book of Medical Abbreviations  by S. L. Mitchell-Hatton; F. A. Davis Co., Philadelphia, PA (1991)
9. Pathophysiology Concepts of Altered Health State  (5th ed.) by C. M. Porth; J. B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, PA (1998)
10. Boyd's Textbook of Pathology, Vol. I & II  (9th Ed.) by A. C. Ritchie; Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, PA (1990)
11. Boyd's Introduction to the Study of Disease  (11th ed.) by H. Sheldon; Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, PA (1992)
12. Last's Anatomy Regional and Applied  (10th ed.) by C. Sinnatamby (Ed.); W. B. Saunders Co., New York (1999)
13. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary  (17th ed.) by C. L. Thomas (Ed.); F. A. Davis Co., Philadelphia, PA (1997)
14. An Introduction to the Principles of Disease  (3rd ed.) by J. B. Walter; W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA (1992

1. Chapter Topics
• Lesson 1 Spelling, Pronunciation
• Lesson 2 Basic concepts of Word Analyses
• Lesson 3 Gastrointestinal System
• Lesson 4 Urinary System
• Lesson 5 Female Reproductive System
• Lesson 6 Male Reproductive System
• Lesson 7 Nervous System
• Lesson 8 Cardiovascular System
• Lesson 9 Blood and Lymphatics
• Lesson 10 Respiratory System
• Lesson 11 Muscoloskeletal System
• Lesson 12 Integumentary System
• Lesson 13 Endocrine System
• Lesson 14 Special Senses: Vision/Hearing
2. Course Objectives
Course 2 is developed to provide a baseline of medical terminology knowledge necessary to function in any healthcare setting.
3. Instructional Processes
Students have three months to complete each course offered through the ISP. The entire NAMSS ISP usually takes 15 months to complete. Each course offers 45 hours of NAMSS Continuing Education Units (CEU) at the completion of each course.
4. Expectations For Student Performance
Prior to beginning the course, students should familiarize themselves with the course design by reviewing the syllabus, the interactive capabilities such as the discussion board and contact information for the Course Leader and Executive Office. The Course Leader is available to students with questions regarding content and the Executive Office can be contacted with questions/comments about student accounts. Internet Access Students should have access to a computer with internet connection to complete reading material, quizzes and a two hour multiple choice exam. Time Management Students are given three months to complete the course. Students should set interim goals and deadlines to complete the course within the given timeframe. Students unable to complete the course within the given timeframe may request a three month extension for $50.00.
5. Evaluation
Quizzes At the end of each section, there is a quiz to emphasize the learning objectives of that section. Students are encouraged to take the quizzes as many times as needed. The quizzes are marked for completion only and the score is not recorded.

Course Exam

At the end of Course 2, there is a multiple choice exam of 50 questions. The student must earn a passing grade (80% of questions answered correctly), within three attempts. Should a student fail the initial exam, a $50 fee will be assessed for the second attempt. The student will have 30 days to complete the second exam.

The student will be responsible for obtaining a qualified proctor to supervise the examination. The proctor cannot be a current enrollee in the NAMSS ISP, a co-worker in the same department or a relative of the student. An example of an appropriate proctor would be someone from the staff development or staff education department.

Grading Scale: 93-100 A; 87-92 B; 80-86 C; less than 80 is a failing grade.

6. Policies
The student should refer to the contract signed at the time of enrollment in the NAMSS ISP for applicable policies.