University of Pittsburgh
Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students
University of Pittsburgh

Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

117,588 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Valerie Swigart, Ph.D. R.N.
Michael Gold, Ph.D.

Instructors: Valerie Swigart, Ph.D. R.N.

4.8

(3,008 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
34 hours to complete
3 weeks at 11 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

44 quizzes

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 6 modules in this course

In the week 1 video lecture, Dr. Swigart introduces the course and strategies for understanding the structure of clinical abbreviations and complex terms. In week 1 readings, we focus on learning abbreviations related to vital signs. Understanding the structure of abbreviations will help you to identify the meaning of abbreviations presented in this course, as well as those you encounter in the future.

What's included

1 video12 readings6 quizzes1 discussion prompt

In week 2, we expand our focus to learn about abbreviations and terms used in the hospital environment. You will tour a modern U.S. clinical unit and visit the bedside of three patients. These vicarious bedside experiences will help you to imagine the context in which the terms and abbreviations are used. Making associations of the terms or abbreviations to specific people, places or types of patients will help to “set” them in your memory. Begin Week 2 by previewing the complex medical terms you will find in this lesson and sharpening your skills for analyzing the structure of complex terms.

What's included

8 videos14 readings10 quizzes

This week, Dr. Swigart shares more strategies toward discovering the meaning of complex medical/scientific words. It focuses on three essential clinical topics: abbreviations used in emergency situations, the timing and route of medications, and the administration of intravenous infusions. Learning about abbreviations related to medication and intravenous fluid administration requires that you pay close attention.

What's included

2 videos8 readings4 quizzes

This week turns the focus to the acronyms commonly substituted for the name of diseases and conditions of the bodily systems. To help you relate the disease and its acronym, we have organized the diseases according to systems of the body. First letters of words or syllables usually form the acronym, and commonly at least one letter relates to a system of the body.

What's included

1 video13 readings9 quizzes

This week, the lecture focuses on the important aspects of patient safety when using abbreviations. The readings focus on laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures. A patient-case approach is used to help you make associations between diseases and the tests or procedures typically required.

What's included

1 video15 readings8 quizzes

As you worked through Week 1-5 sessions you have learned about abbreviations and terms used every day in clinical practice. Now you are ready to use your new knowledge and test your comprehension skills. This week you see and hear clinical conversation in reality-based video simulations.

What's included

8 videos5 readings7 quizzes

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.8 (1,033 ratings)
Valerie Swigart, Ph.D. R.N.
University of Pittsburgh
1 Course117,588 learners
Michael Gold, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh
1 Course117,588 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Patient Care

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 3008

4.8

3,008 reviews

  • 5 stars

    84.66%

  • 4 stars

    13.37%

  • 3 stars

    1.46%

  • 2 stars

    0.26%

  • 1 star

    0.23%

V
5

Reviewed on May 22, 2023

LT
4

Reviewed on May 7, 2020

ER
5

Reviewed on Apr 15, 2019

New to Patient Care? Start here.

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions