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NEWS! Archive (Oldest)
NEWS! As it happensUpcoming Events showcasing the ProgrammeQuick Facts designed to educate & interest
Quick Facts
tip of the week
Continuing on the series relating to the spine …The answer is both C: lumbar spine and D: sacral spine. Also known as the lumbo-sacral spine, this portion of the spine is commonly associated with low back pain.The lumbar spine consists of 5 bony vertebrae (L1-L5). The sacral spine also consists of 5 bony vertebrae (which are fused together). Below the sacral spine is the coccyx, also known as the human tailbone.
Quick Facts
tip of the week
Continuing on our series relating to the human spine...The answer is A: cervical spine. Some interesting facts about the cervical spine
- It is the upermost portion of the human spine (or vertebral column)
- Located between the skull and the thoracic spine
- Consists of seven bony vertebrae (C1 - C7).
Quick Facts
tip of the week
Are you smarter than a Medical Terminology graduate?The answer is B: thoracic spine.The thoracic spine is the longest region of the human spine. Connecting with the cervical spine (above) and the lumbar spine (below), the thoracic spine runs from the base of the neck down to the abdomen. It is the only spinal region attached to the rib cage.
Upcoming Event
great news! we are back in the classroom
New to life insurance? Need to get your head around medical terms or simply want to refresh your medical terminology knowledge?The May 2021 Programme will build the foundation of a career in insurance. * Designed BY Insurance Professionals FOR Insurance Professionals* Full day Programme* ALUCA recognisedDon’t just Learn. Be Inspired!
Quick Facts. 13 April 2021
tip of the week
Pronunciation is an important part of building confidence for students of Medical Terminology as you will often encounter words you don’t know how to pronounce.
‘howjsay’ is a free online audio dictionary that provides clear medical pronunciation. Available via browsers and apps (iPhone, iPad)
A comprehensive resource for when you need to say it right the first time. Bookmark it today!
Quick Facts. 7 April 2021
tip of the week
-megaly is a suffix often used in medical terminology that means ‘enlargement’. From the Greek mégas meaning ‘great, large’.
Examples, commonly encountered in insurance medicine, include o cardiomegaly (heart enlargement) o hepatomegaly (liver enlargement)
Quick Facts. 30 March 2021
tip of the week
- -pnoea (pronounced p-nee-uh) is a suffix that means ‘breath, respiration’.
- Examples commonly encountered in insurance medicine include:
- dyspnoea (difficult breathing)
- tachypnoea (rapid breathing); and
- the medial condition ‘sleep apnoea’. Adding the letter ‘a-‘ before -pnoea changes the meaning to ‘not breathing’ (temporary cessation of breathing during sleep is the common symptom of sleep apnoea).
Quick Facts. 21 March 2021
tip of the week
- ophthalm/o is a root word that simply means ‘eye’.
- Examples commonly encountered in insurance medicine include
- - ophthalmo/logist (eye specialist)
- - ophthalm/itis (inflammation of the eye)
- - ophthalm/algia (pain in the eye)
Spelling of ophthalm/o is memorable because of the sneaky ‘h’ (always check for this letter when you see ophthalm/o!)
Quick Facts. 15 March 2021.
tip of the week
- The hashtag symbol is frequently used in medical shorthand to describe a fracture of the bone
- It is written as '#' in medical shorthand
- When the hashtag symbol is used, it is still pronounced as fracture, e.g. ‘neck of femur fracture’, and may be written as ‘#NOF’
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Quick Facts. 8 March 2021
tip of the week
‘a-‘ or ‘an-‘ are prefixes (added to the beginning of a medical term) which mean ‘without’ or ‘not’. These prefixes reverse the meaning of a word, for example:
- ‘symptomatic’ (with symptoms) becomes ‘asymptomatic’ (without symptoms)
- ‘orexia’(appetite) becomes ‘anorexia’ (without appetite).
Quick Facts. 28 Feb 2021
tip of the week
- Rx is a common abbreviation meaning medical prescription
- It is derived from the Latin word for ‘recipe’
- Many chemist’s signage today include this symbol. Next time you are at the chemist take a look! (around the shop front or the prescribing area).
Upcoming Event
2021 virtual classroom
2021's first Virtual Classroom is scheduled for 23 & 24 February (8.30am - 12.30pm both days).Learn from the online comfort of your home or office in the facilitator-guided Programme, using the secure Microsoft Teams platform.The ALUCA-accredited Programme is focused to risk professionals employed in the insurance industry. Investment is $495 per student (includes workbook, course material & certificate).
For bookings of 6+ students, request a call for an individualised quote.
Quick Facts. 27 August 2020.
the correct answer ...
The correct answer is C: Gall bladder
The role of the gall bladder is to store and secrete bile. Bile is used to help with the digestion of fats and is produced by the liver.
The role of the gall bladder is to store and secrete bile. Bile is used to help with the digestion of fats and is produced by the liver.
NEWS! 7 August 2020
virtual classroom available
The facilitator-delivered Programme is now also offered in virtual classroom mode (via the secure Microsoft Teams platform). You decide the delivery method that suits your business: * Virtual classroom (ideally recommended over 2 half days); or * Formal classroom (conducted from the convenience of your office), over the course of a full day.
New year; new learning opportunities!
The correct answer is C: Brainwaves.'encephal/o' is a root word meaning brain; -graph' is a suffix meaning a process of recording.
visualising the history of pandemics
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This super interesting article outlines some of history’s most deadly pandemics, from the Antonine Plague to the current COVID-19 event.The practice of quarantine began during the 14th century, in an effort to protect coastal cities from plague epidemics. Cautious port authorities required ships arriving in Venice from infected ports to sit at anchor for 40 days before landing — the origin of the word quarantine from the Italian “quaranta giorni”, or 40 days.Scientists use a basic measure to track the infectiousness of a disease called the reproduction number — also known as R0 or “R naught.”
This number tells us how many susceptible people, on average, each sick person will in turn infect.
Measles tops the list, being the most contagious with a R0 range of 12-18. This means a single person can infect, on average, 12 to 18 people in an unvaccinated population.
It’s hard to calculate and forecast the true impact of COVID-19, as the outbreak is still ongoing and researchers are still learning about this new form of coronavirus. At this stage, COVID-19 is estimated to be R0 2.5.
Measles tops the list, being the most contagious with a R0 range of 12-18. This means a single person can infect, on average, 12 to 18 people in an unvaccinated population.
It’s hard to calculate and forecast the true impact of COVID-19, as the outbreak is still ongoing and researchers are still learning about this new form of coronavirus. At this stage, COVID-19 is estimated to be R0 2.5.
medical terminology in the making
- One of the slides shared during the Programme, highlights the fact that Medical Terminology is constantly evolving (you never stop learning!). COVID-19 is a good example of this. The name was derived from the letters:
Simply put, ‘coronavirus’ is an umbrella term for several similar illnesses. Some notable types include SARS, MERS and COVID-19.
WHO announced official names for the virus responsible for COVID-19 and the disease it causes:- Virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)- Disease coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Why do the virus and the disease have different names? Viruses, and the diseases they cause, often have different names. For example, HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. People often know the name of a disease, such as measles, but not the name of the virus that causes it (rubeola).
quick facts
AND THE ANSWER IS ...?
- ANSWER is C: myocardial infarction
- By way of explanation:
- Myocardium is the muscular tissue of the heart
- Infarction is tissue death due to inadequate blood supply to the affected area.
uppcoming events. 19 february 2020
REGISTRATION OPEN
MARCH 2020 PROGRAMME
The upcoming Programme is scheduled for 19 March in Sydney.
Register now to secure your place. Places are strictly limited.
ALUCA CPD: Under ALUCA’s CPLI framework, completion of this Programme earns 1 accreditation point. For accredited members of ALUCA, this Programme counts as 7 CPD points.
Register now to secure your place. Places are strictly limited.
ALUCA CPD: Under ALUCA’s CPLI framework, completion of this Programme earns 1 accreditation point. For accredited members of ALUCA, this Programme counts as 7 CPD points.
quick facts
Are you smarter than a Medical Terminology graduate?
Here are the answers ... this week the cardiovascular system.
quick facts
ANSWERS ...
DID YOU GET 100%?
This weeks quiz relates to the nervous system of the human body. See how many answers you know!
quick facts
WHICH ANSWER WILL YOU LOCK IN?
- If you are thinking the answer is D: Gallbladder you would be correct!
- By way of explanation ...
- 'cholecyst/o' is a root word meaning gallbladder
- '-ectomy' is a suffix meaning the surgical removal of.
quick facts
answers
Are you smarter than a Medical Terminology graduate?
Here are the answers to find out! Correct answers are underlined in bold.
NEXT WEEK: The gastrointestinal human body system.
Here are the answers to find out! Correct answers are underlined in bold.
NEXT WEEK: The gastrointestinal human body system.
NEWS! 14 Jan 2020
NEW YEAR!
NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES!
To celebrate our 3rd year, watch for quizzes for students of Medical Terminology. And the best news? ... The quizzes are regular, designed for insurance professionals & absolutely free!
Find out if you are you smarter than a Medical Terminology graduate?
DON'T JUST LEARN. BE INSPIRED!
Find out if you are you smarter than a Medical Terminology graduate?
DON'T JUST LEARN. BE INSPIRED!
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Upcoming Event
Registration Open!
Registration is now open for the September Programme to be held at the office of Pacific Life Re, Sydney.
Learn the necessary skills to deconstruct and interpret the unique language of medicine in this full day ALUCA-recognised Programme focused to insurance professionals. Spaces are limited.
To register or ask questions, simply follow the buttons below. DON'T JUST LEARN. BE INSPIRED!
Learn the necessary skills to deconstruct and interpret the unique language of medicine in this full day ALUCA-recognised Programme focused to insurance professionals. Spaces are limited.
To register or ask questions, simply follow the buttons below. DON'T JUST LEARN. BE INSPIRED!
QUICK FACTS
Encephalitis
If you are thinking the answer is C: Brain, you would be correct! ‘encephal/o’ is a root word that means brain; whilst ‘-itis’ is a suffix meaning inflammation.
September 2019
Medical Terminology
The next Medical Terminology full day programme is scheduled for early September at Pacific Life Re, Sydney. Cant wait? Follow the link to make contact and find your own suitable date* or register your interest for September (you’ll be kept in the loop as a date is finalised)
*minimum 5 attendees is required
*minimum 5 attendees is required
quick facts
Rapid Speech
The prefix ‘tachy-' means fast (‘brady-‘ means slow). So even if you didn’t know ‘phasia’ meant speech, you may have guessed the correct answer is B: tachyphasia, by knowing the medical term for ‘fast’.
QUICK FACTS
Dyspepsia
Here’s a quick quiz from the Gastrointestinal chapter to get you thinking.
The correct answer is A: Indigestion. The prefix ‘dys-’ means painful or abnormal; whilst ‘-pepsia’ refers to digestion.
UPCOMING EVENT
Registration Open
Are you an interested individual wishing to attend the 20 March, 2019 Programme at Pacific Life Re, Sydney?
Learn the necessary skills to deconstruct and interpret the unique language of medicine in this ALUCA recognised full day Programme focused to insurance professionals.
Learn the necessary skills to deconstruct and interpret the unique language of medicine in this ALUCA recognised full day Programme focused to insurance professionals.
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NEWS! 22 november 2018
Congratulations Graduates!
Congratulations recent Medical Terminology graduates!If you or your team want to build confidence to interpret medical terminology then this Programme is for you.
For a 5 minute chat to learn more about the Programme, and whether it suits your needs, contact Melinda Moro
NEWS! 28 AUGUST 2018
Should You Google Your Symptoms When You Are Sick?
[STUDY] Googling your symptoms before a doctor visit may actually be helpful.
This interesting study references uptodate.com, a valuable subscription resource for healthcare providers, which includes a free basic search for patients (https://www.uptodate.com/home/uptodate-subscription-options-patients). To sharpen your medical terminology skills before consulting Dr Google, email me at riskassist@optusnet.com.au
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Click on image for Study link
QUICK FACTS!
Which Answer Will You Lock In?
‘hepat/o’ is a root word meaning ‘liver’ (e.g. 'hepatitis'), whilst ‘-megaly’ is a suffix meaning enlargement of an organ of the body.
When you combine the two, 'hepatomegaly' simply means enlargement of the liver.
The correct answer is D: Liver! To find out how you can sharpen your medical terminology skills
NEWS! 24 JULY 2018
Hugely Interesting Diabetes Study
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Hugely interesting new research, given the growing diabetes prevalence in Australia\NZ & worldwide.
Diabetes mellitus that begins in adulthood falls into five distinct categories, new research has revealed, with scientists suggesting it is time to ditch the idea that diabetes is largely split into two types. Each category displays different characteristics, complications, treatment options.
Diabetes mellitus that begins in adulthood falls into five distinct categories, new research has revealed, with scientists suggesting it is time to ditch the idea that diabetes is largely split into two types. Each category displays different characteristics, complications, treatment options.
QUICK FACTS!
Which Answer Will You Lock In?
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The correct answer is A: EarTo find out how you can sharpen your Medical Terminology skills
news! 5 july 2018
Real Bodies: The Exhibition
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Ever wanted to learn about the human body, from the inside out? Then, check out an incredible exhibition currently in Sydney until October 2018 ‘Real Bodies: The Exhibition’. An amazing opportunity to learn. Highly recommended! http://www.realbodiesexhibition.com.au/about/
quick facts
anatomical positions
why?
Why are anatomical positions an important part of learning medical terminology?
They are used in medicine as a common point of reference to allow clear location descriptions of the body and eliminate ambiguity. It can confuse students new to medical terminology, so, in this Quick Facts let’s compare a couple of these terms…
They are used in medicine as a common point of reference to allow clear location descriptions of the body and eliminate ambiguity. It can confuse students new to medical terminology, so, in this Quick Facts let’s compare a couple of these terms…
medial vs lateral
Medial refers to being toward the middle of the body (called the midline). Imagine a line which splits the body, head-to-toe, into two halves, the left and right.
Lateral is the part of the body that is away from the midline.
As an example, a common condition, epicondylitis, occurs when the tendon connecting the arm muscle to the elbow becomes painful and inflamed.
It is described as medial epicondylitis (‘golfers elbow’ when the inner part of the elbow is affected) or lateral epicondylitis (‘tennis elbow’ affecting the outer part of the elbow).
Lateral is the part of the body that is away from the midline.
As an example, a common condition, epicondylitis, occurs when the tendon connecting the arm muscle to the elbow becomes painful and inflamed.
It is described as medial epicondylitis (‘golfers elbow’ when the inner part of the elbow is affected) or lateral epicondylitis (‘tennis elbow’ affecting the outer part of the elbow).
Proximal vs Distal
Proximal refers to something closer to the torso of the body, while distal refers to locations away from the torso.
So a finger is distal to the wrist, which is distal to the elbow, which is distal to the shoulder.
As an example, the medical term for a common wrist fracture is a distal radius fracture (that is, the larger forearm bone is broken near the wrist).
It’s that simple!To find out more about how you can sharpen your medical terminology skills email me at riskassist@optusnet.com.au
So a finger is distal to the wrist, which is distal to the elbow, which is distal to the shoulder.
As an example, the medical term for a common wrist fracture is a distal radius fracture (that is, the larger forearm bone is broken near the wrist).
It’s that simple!To find out more about how you can sharpen your medical terminology skills email me at riskassist@optusnet.com.au
news! 16 june 2018
Congratulations Tele Interviewers!
BT Financial Group’s annual Underwriting Professional Workshop acknowledged every member of the Tele Interview team whereby certificates were awarded in recognition of their successful completion of the Programme.
Congrats & well done, guys!
NEWS! 13 JUNE 2018
Congratulations Graduates!
Congratulations to the latest Medical Terminology graduates who spent a full and interactive day learning the skills and confidence to deconstruct and interpret medical terminology in their daily roles.
Thank you for your interest, participation and enthusiasm.
Special thanks to Pacific Life Re for their generous support of the Programme.
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Don't just learn. Be inspired!
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quick facts
medical terms you already know?
It often surprises people to learn how many medical terms they already know.
The prefix ‘a-’ (or ‘an-’)* simply means ‘without’ or ‘not’. So (in plain English), ‘typical’ becomes ‘atypical’; ‘symmetrical’ becomes ‘asymmetrical’ and so on …
Translate this to a medical perspective and you get the idea … ‘symptomatic’ becomes ‘asymptomatic’.
The prefix ‘a-’ (or ‘an-’)* simply means ‘without’ or ‘not’. So (in plain English), ‘typical’ becomes ‘atypical’; ‘symmetrical’ becomes ‘asymmetrical’ and so on …
Translate this to a medical perspective and you get the idea … ‘symptomatic’ becomes ‘asymptomatic’.
Here’s my list. Can you add to it?
*use ’a-‘ before a consonant; ‘an-‘ before a vowel
- anaemia, deficiency of red blood cells
- anaerobic, not requiring air to live
- apnoea, not breathing
- arrhythmia, absence of rhythm
- asymptomatic, without symptoms
*use ’a-‘ before a consonant; ‘an-‘ before a vowel
quick facts
So, What Is Medical Terminology?
Medical terminology describes in a consistent, systematic, science-based and concise manner, a term that often requires several words to describe. For example, if I had a surgical operation to remove my tonsils, the medical term ‘tonsillectomy’, simply and efficiently describes the surgery that was performed.
You may ask what medical terminology includes? It describes human anatomy and physiology, diseases and disorders, procedures, investigations, treatments, as well as abbreviations.
Medical Terminology for Insurance Professionals covers this and more!
You may ask what medical terminology includes? It describes human anatomy and physiology, diseases and disorders, procedures, investigations, treatments, as well as abbreviations.
Medical Terminology for Insurance Professionals covers this and more!
quick facts
'myelo' has dual meaning
The root word ‘myelo’ has two meanings:Firstly, the spinal cord, as in myelitis (an inflammation of the spinal cord);
andSecondly, bone marrow, as in multiple myeloma
(a cancer of mature B-cells, a type of white blood cell).
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quick facts
favicon goes 'live'
A Favicon is small square image that displays next to a webpage's title in browser tabs and visitors bookmarks. It makes the site easily recognisable and is unique to a website. Why not set up a Favourite to this website and view the Programme's Favicon via your browser or Bookmark?
news! 22 april 2018
website Is 'live'
Over the last few months, I've been developing a website for my training Programme and am delighted to 'go live'. Check out the new website and view Programme inclusions, features and benefits.
I am here to help. Don’t just learn. Be inspired!
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