Physical Geography and Climatology background. First time I heard of ablation it was in relation to glaciers. Also bifurcation of streams. There are probably more but it’s been a minute.
This is such a fun (and painfully accurate) capture of how “medicalese” becomes a kind of cognitive operating system; great for precision on rounds, slightly unhinged in the kitchen. 😄 What I love underneath the humor is the real point about acculturation: we learn a new language to think and act faster under uncertainty, but we also have to stay fluent in “human language” so patients (and our families) don’t get left behind. The best clinicians I know are expert code-switchers: they can speak differential-diagnosis at 200 wpm, then translate it into plain, teach-back-friendly sentences without losing nuance. Brilliant read!
Coming as I do from a medical family and having spent decades as a drug rep, I drop a lot of jargon in my normal speech. I tried to tell my work colleagues that mastering medical speak would enhance their credibility.
I loved this!! I am a hospitalist, but also an author of fantasy fiction with 6 books published so far. I always wondered if my sprinkling of jargon into my prose would be noticed....now as the story suggested...more salt!!
One of my favorites was the common introductory description of a patient in a case presentation as "well developed and well nourished". This was quickly introduced into our everyday speech such as "I met a well developed well nourished female at the party last night".
My wife and I are both physicians and we frequently insert medical jargon into our conversations around the house. Our kids grew up hearing us and they are in on the joke. None of us do this outside our home.
Nice use of medicalese to tell a story many of us are familiar with. It is something that I talk to my medical students, residents and APPs about the significant vocabulary we have acquired in our training. Last I remember we have 70,000 extra words to throw out there. The lesson is that while it is necessary to learn them (and the spelling hopefully) we need not to drown our patients with these too often or at all in some cases or we all know the results. thanks for a nice Sunday morning read
I have told many young people anticipating their start to medical school (or other healthcare professions) that 'learning the language' is the core of their studies. And I also find myself using 'medical' terms in conversations where others would not...
Spelling - BTW - is a talent I also lack. Thus, computer spell checking has been crucial to me, and since I carry a dictionary (ie - a smart phone) on my belt most of the time, I do rather better now than I did when I was young.
When I was a third-year resident in general surgery, Erenie, my senior resident wrote a hysterical, laugh out loud, play on words story of a playboy, Rolando, who drove a Giardia Lamblia and was trying desparately to get into his girlfriend, Sylvia's, fissure. He was eventually successful, with Sylvia encouraging him by crying out, "putamen!" What I wouldn't give to have a copy of that today. I remember in our week of orientation for med school being told that we were going to learn 10,000 new words in the next four years. 47 years later, I still find myself talking in "medicalese." My wife likes it so you know I won't stop!
Loved it
Physical Geography and Climatology background. First time I heard of ablation it was in relation to glaciers. Also bifurcation of streams. There are probably more but it’s been a minute.
This is such a fun (and painfully accurate) capture of how “medicalese” becomes a kind of cognitive operating system; great for precision on rounds, slightly unhinged in the kitchen. 😄 What I love underneath the humor is the real point about acculturation: we learn a new language to think and act faster under uncertainty, but we also have to stay fluent in “human language” so patients (and our families) don’t get left behind. The best clinicians I know are expert code-switchers: they can speak differential-diagnosis at 200 wpm, then translate it into plain, teach-back-friendly sentences without losing nuance. Brilliant read!
Only when you can include intussusception will I be truly
impressed and you will finally rid yourself of your spelling bee demons
Would be a great name for a movie. Just the plot would disappoint 🤣
I'm still searching for some way to insert "rhinophyma" into everyday conversation.
loved this!
At our core, we are all dorks.
Amen.
This is hilarious.
🙏
Coming as I do from a medical family and having spent decades as a drug rep, I drop a lot of jargon in my normal speech. I tried to tell my work colleagues that mastering medical speak would enhance their credibility.
I loved this!! I am a hospitalist, but also an author of fantasy fiction with 6 books published so far. I always wondered if my sprinkling of jargon into my prose would be noticed....now as the story suggested...more salt!!
Love it.
One of my favorites was the common introductory description of a patient in a case presentation as "well developed and well nourished". This was quickly introduced into our everyday speech such as "I met a well developed well nourished female at the party last night".
😂
My wife and I are both physicians and we frequently insert medical jargon into our conversations around the house. Our kids grew up hearing us and they are in on the joke. None of us do this outside our home.
Nice use of medicalese to tell a story many of us are familiar with. It is something that I talk to my medical students, residents and APPs about the significant vocabulary we have acquired in our training. Last I remember we have 70,000 extra words to throw out there. The lesson is that while it is necessary to learn them (and the spelling hopefully) we need not to drown our patients with these too often or at all in some cases or we all know the results. thanks for a nice Sunday morning read
I have told many young people anticipating their start to medical school (or other healthcare professions) that 'learning the language' is the core of their studies. And I also find myself using 'medical' terms in conversations where others would not...
Spelling - BTW - is a talent I also lack. Thus, computer spell checking has been crucial to me, and since I carry a dictionary (ie - a smart phone) on my belt most of the time, I do rather better now than I did when I was young.
Had a few of these conversations when my kids were little. Many eye rolls resulted…
Perhaps you can start writing an "Enjoyable Short Stories for Medical Professionals" series!
When I was a third-year resident in general surgery, Erenie, my senior resident wrote a hysterical, laugh out loud, play on words story of a playboy, Rolando, who drove a Giardia Lamblia and was trying desparately to get into his girlfriend, Sylvia's, fissure. He was eventually successful, with Sylvia encouraging him by crying out, "putamen!" What I wouldn't give to have a copy of that today. I remember in our week of orientation for med school being told that we were going to learn 10,000 new words in the next four years. 47 years later, I still find myself talking in "medicalese." My wife likes it so you know I won't stop!
This is my level of humor. My social media handle was Kluver Bucy for almost 20 years.
Hilarious. It might get you fired today!
Medicalese is The True Language.
All other variants are mere Neanderthal grunting.😊