MEDC 1141: Medical Terminology for Medical Office Assistant 1
Effective date
September 2024
Department
Medical Office Assistant 15/16
School
Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
Description
This course introduces students to medical terminology (word structure,prefixes, suffixes, spelling, abbreviations, and pronunciation). Students will study the body as a whole, including directional terms. Students will learn the anatomy and physiology of body systems, as well as some of the pathological conditions, diagnostic tests, and procedures relevant to those systems.
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the components of a medical term (root word, combining vowel, prefix, suffix) and demonstrate how medical terms are constructed using these components
- Identify organ systems and describe how these systems function to maintain homeostasis in the body
- Correctly spell and pronounce medical terms related to organs and systems
- Interpret medical abbreviations for diagnostic tests and procedures
- Describe pathology and disorders related to organs and systems and the diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatments related to those disorders
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Student must achieve a grade of at least 70% on the challenge examination.
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 50
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 22
Total Hours: 72
Instructional Strategies
Lectures, group work, presentations
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Evaluation Plan
Type
|
Percentage
|
Assessment activity
|
Midterm Exam
|
25
|
|
Quizzes/Tests
|
10
|
2 quizzes at 5% each
|
Quizzes/Tests
|
20
|
8 spelling tests @ 2.5% each
|
Assignments
|
20
|
2 assignments @ 10% each
-brochure on a medical/health topic
-presentation on a medical/health topic (in pairs or groups)
|
Final Exam
|
25
|
|
Course topics
- The basic structure of medical terms
Directional (anatomical) terms, the body as a whole
Prefixes used in medical terminology
Suffixes used in medical terminology
*All topics include: medical abbreviations, spelling, pronunciation, pathology, and diagnostic tests and procedures related to each body system
- Digestive system
Urinary system
Female reproductive system
Male reproductive system
Musculoskeletal system
- Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Nervous system
Sensory systems (eyes & ears)
Lymphatic and immune systems
Skin system
Endocrine system
Learning resources
Required Textbook: The Language of Medicine, 12th Edition, by Davi-Ellen Chabner, ISBN: 9780323551472
Computer/online resources: drug references, biology/anatomy references, medical/health resources)
Optional: medical dictionary
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/.
- To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.