An important step for anyone interested in a career in healthcare or a related profession is learning medical terminology.
Community colleges, renowned for their approachability and real-world focus on education, provide a selection of online courses to meet a wide range of learning requirements. Online courses provide convenient learning opportunities for understanding medical terminology in the digital age.
Based on my research on how these courses can provide a solid basis for a lucrative career in the healthcare sector, I have listed the top 10 medical terminology online courses that community colleges provide.
These online courses are selected as the best based on the syllabus and many other factors.
See also: Picking the Best 4-week Online Course For Medical Coding and Billing.
How Do I Start Learning Medical Terminology?
Learning medical terminology can be a fascinating and intimidating adventure. To start, ensure you invest in reliable materials, such as online classes or texts on medical terminology, to lay a strong foundation from the start.
To help with comprehension, these resources frequently break down difficult concepts into smaller, more comprehensive parts.
Also immerse yourself in medical content by reading periodicals, papers, and even watching educational videos related to medicine. Understanding and recalling are improved when terminology is presented in context.
Making flashcards with the name and its meaning on one side will help with active recall. Frequent self-assessments aid in memory consolidation.
Make use of apps and online resources made specifically for practicing medical terminology. These often consist of interactive tests and activities, enhancing learning effectiveness. Participating in study groups or forums gives you the chance to ask questions and get your doubts cleared.
Remember that consistency is key. Set aside a certain amount of time every day to study and review medical terminology. As you gain confidence, gradually increase the complexity of your study material.
It is possible to understand medical terminology if you are persistent and approach the task strategically.
List of Top 10 Medical Terminology Online Courses from Community Colleges
- Clinical Terminology for International and US Students
- Medical Terminology
- Online Medical Terminology Course
- Medical Terminology
- Free Online Medical Terminology Courses
- Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals
- Medical Terminology (MEDT 1000)
- Medical Terminology — A Word Association Approach
- Medical Terminology (MTC 210E)
- Medical Terminology
Top 10 Medical Terminology Online Courses from Community Colleges
The following courses are my top 10 picks after I had done my research.
Clinical Terminology for International and US Students
Here is an overview of the course:
- Learning platform: it is available on Coursera.
- Institution: it is offered by The University of Pittsburgh.
Clinical Terminology For International and US Students is one of the medical terminology online courses from a community college. Coursera offers thousands of courses for online e-learning.
The University of Pittsburgh hosts the medical terminology course. Ph.D-holding professors teach the 34-hour course, and you can begin studying at your own pace as soon as you sign up.
A certificate of completion can be obtained for just $49, and if applicable, the credits can be transferred to your college.
This University of Pittsburgh course, with over 100,000 enrolled students and a 98% satisfaction rate, offers a genuinely immersive learning experience with quizzes and lesson content that illustrates real-world situations.
You will learn various abbreviations and basic medical terminology, the practical applications of medical terminology, how to interpret medical jargon effectively, and abbreviations frequently used to refer to certain illnesses and diseases.
Free lesson materials and tests are offered. Lessons mimic actual medical situations, enhancing the immersive and captivating nature of the learning process.
A completion certificate is available for purchase, and financial aid is available.
For more information about the course, see Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students.
Medical Terminology
Here is an overview of the course:
- Learning platform: it is available on the edX learning platform.
- Institution: it is offered by Doane University.
Doane University offers undergraduate natural and applied science programs that are highly regarded. Medical Terminology is also an online medical terminology course. In this course, Amanda McKinney, a physician with a strong interest in lifestyle medicine, imparts her medical terminology expertise to students.
It will teach you how to correctly use medical terminology, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, and diagnostic testing. It also covers prefixes, suffixes, stem words, and medical abbreviations.
The course is self-paced, allowing you to fit classes into your own time. This is a free course with an optional upgrade for individuals who want to finish graded assignments and get certificates.
You will learn the course material by means of comprehensive guidance on improving your proficiency in medical terminology. More than 15,700 students have enrolled in this course so far and it has a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
For more information, see DoaneX: Medical Terminology.
Online Medical Terminology Course
Here is a quick look at the important details:
- Learning platform: it is available on the official website of Ashworth College.
- Institution: it is offered by Ashworth College.
Online Medical Terminology is a great course offered by Ashworth College. Taking this course will guarantee that you are knowledgeable about everything from anatomy and diseases to treatments that keep people healthy.
Additionally, you will receive access to a textbook, the Binder mobile app, a student portal dashboard that provides instant access to online lessons, online libraries, and labs, and ProQuest, which provides thousands of research resources.
This is just one of Ashworth College’s many courses on medical terminology that can help you learn and understand the complex terms of the clinical industry.
It is offered with a flexible payment plan so it barely affects your finances. It also expands your professional options in the healthcare industry upon course completion.
To learn more about this course, see Online Medical Terminology course – Ashworth College.
Medical Terminology
Here is a summary of the course:
- Learning platform: you can access the contents of this course in the Coursera learning platform.
- Institution: it is offered by Rice University.
Medical Terminology is offered by Rice University, which is among the top 100 universities worldwide and among the top 20 in the US. It is evident from the 4.8-star rating that this is a well-liked option for students studying medical terminology.
You are going to discover the rationale behind medical terminology, basic medical terminology and word components, the most widely used phrases and formats in health records, and words pertaining to the musculoskeletal (bones and muscles), integumentary (skin), and urinary (kidneys) systems.
It comprises a skill-testing module, quizzes, and a final evaluation. The course also features a certificate of completion.
It is part of a three-course Specialty on Coursera; if you enjoy this course, there are two more in the sister courses that will let you expand on what you have learned. For more information about this course, see Medical Terminology I.
See also: 6 Free Online Medical Courses with Certificates.
Free Online Medical Terminology Courses
Here are the important details of this course:
- Learning platform: the official website of Des Moines University
- Institution: it if offered by Des Moines University.
This free online medical terminology course offered by Des Moines University (DMU) can be helpful to people who would like to learn more about medical terminology used in healthcare. You should not attempt to use the course material to diagnose or treat a health issue or disease because it is solely intended for educational and informational reasons.
The knowledgeable DMU lecturers, who are certified experts in medical language, created the course. They will assist you in understanding the fundamentals of medical terminology so that you may use them on your own.
Additionally, you will need to register with the class if you wish to enroll in the certification program upon completion of this course.
This course offers a basic understanding of all medical terms to improve your comprehension of the healthcare industry, knowledge on a variety of subjects, including the male reproductive system, the digestive system, the urinary system, the circulatory system, cancer terminology, and much more.
Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals
Here is a summary of the course:
- Learning platform: it is available on Phoenix.edu.
- Institution: it is offered by the University of Phoenix.
Medical Terminology Course for Health Care Professionals is a course offered by the University of Phoenix, it provides students with extensive discussions and interactive exercises that allow them to engage and interact with the dynamic language of health care.
Here are three major things you will learn from this course:
- Communication: recognize terminology that is pertinent to the medical field.
- Health administration: describe the composition, offerings, and roles of the medical field.
- Medical records: explain the significance of adherence to patient health information and technological standards.
They operate on a fluid timetable, with new start dates scheduled nearly every month. For more information about this course, see Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals.
See also: Become a Medical Receptionist | Top 10 Online Courses.
Medical Terminology (MEDT 1000)
Here is a summary of the course:
- Learning platform: it is available at UNE Online, which is a subdomain of the main website.
- Institution: it is offered by the University of New England.
Medical Terminology (MEDT 1000) is offered by the University of New England and it gives students a thorough understanding of the specialized medical terminology used in many health-related professions.
After the course, you should be able to show that you understand every word’s basic etymology, determine the meaning of each part of a medical phrase, utilize criteria for spelling, pronunciation, and word structure appropriate in medicine, use medical terms and acronyms related to body systems, illnesses, and treatments in everyday contexts.
The University does not offer any related laboratory content; it is a lecture-only course. Every examination in this course is taken online.
You must register for the session no later 12:00 EST on Monday, the day before it starts or you will have to wait for a new class. Classes often start every two to three weeks. For more information about the course, see Medical Terminology Course.
Medical Terminology — A Word Association Approach
Here is a quick overview of the course:
- Learning platform: It is hosted on the ed2go learning platform.
- Institution: Kennesaw State University created this course.
Medical Terminology — A Word Association Approach is a non-degree study that is available in the online course. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded instead of transferrable credits. Students who complete the 24-hour online course will earn a certificate of completion.
You can learn medical terminology and how it relates to each body system by enrolling in this course. Along with learning definitions and root phrases, you will also learn how they are used in the medical field by using study aids and pictures.
Fun and uncommon facts will be presented to help you remember medical terms in a unique way. Learning blocks are used to condense knowledge and help isolate what is necessary to know from what is pleasant to know.
Through case study assignments and the study aid of flashcards, you will be able to observe the practical application of medical terminology.
Two versions of the course are available in Kennesaw: self-paced and not self-paced. Every month, on the second or third Wednesday, the monthly version of the courses begins. For six weeks, a lesson is released on Fridays and Wednesdays.
The last assignment and the final examination are released via the system on the sixth Friday. The final examination will then take two weeks for the students to finish. Lessons from the monthly online courses are also included in the self-paced version. To learn more about this course, see Medical Terminology – A Word Association Approach.
Medical Terminology (MTC 210E)
Here is an overview of the course:
- Learning platform: it is offered through the official website of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS).
- Institution: it is offered by MCPHS.
Medical Terminology (MTC 210E) is an online course that is self-paced and asynchronous. There are no set meeting hours or deadlines for this course.
Throughout the 16 weeks duration, you will use the online learning platform Blackboard to complete your tasks on your own time. As you work through the curriculum, you will also receive assistance from an instructor and have access to online tutoring around the clock.
You will receive an official transcript from the Registrar’s Office and a final letter grade at the end of this course.
You will learn the “language” of healthcare with the online course Medical Terminology (MTC 210E). You will learn how word parts, such as roots, suffixes, and prefixes, function as the building blocks of medical phrases and examine the symbols and abbreviations used in medical language.
You will gain knowledge critical to your future profession in this self-paced course, preparing you to pursue degrees in healthcare fields like pharmacy, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and optometry. To learn more about this course, see Medical Terminology | MCPHS.
Medical Terminology
Here is a quick look at the details of the course:
- Learning platform: it is available on the official website of San Diego State University Global Campus (SDSU).
- Institution: it is offered by SDSU.
Medical Terminology is one of the medical terminology courses for community colleges. If you can communicate in the language of medicine, you can change the lives of others.
Learning medical terminology is a crucial first step in pursuing a career in healthcare, as there is a great demand for healthcare professionals. You will learn more about the human body, how to describe it, and how to utilize medical vocabulary in a healthcare context by taking this online course on medical terminology.
You will learn how to describe the roots, prefixes, and suffixes that make up the majority of medical terminology, how each of the body’s systems works, determine the usual diagnosis, procedures, and therapies for every bodily system, recognize typical acronyms and abbreviations used in medicine and acknowledge how important it is to pronounce and spell medical phrases correctly.
For more information about this course, see Online Medical Terminology from San Diego State University Global Campus.
Can You Teach Yourself Medical Terminology?
Yes, you can learn medical terminology on your own with the necessary resources and dedication. Learning medical terminology can be accomplished by making your own acronyms. This involves taking one letter from each word or group of related words and combining them to form a single new word or phrase.
Although it may take some time to actually come up with the acronyms, the process will save you a great deal of time. After that, you can make your own lists and group together specific categories, such as diseases and body parts.
There are several apps available to assist you in teaching yourself medical terminology. Their concise and lucid definitions aid in helping you memorize the most popular medical terminology.
Most of them let you study with flashcards, search for any prefix or suffix, browse the phrases alphabetically, and even take quizzes to gauge how well you understand the content. Repetition is the best technique to ensure that you remember your medical terminology, even though it can seem a bit tedious after a while.
Repeated exposure to the same information improves memory retention in the brain. You can repeat your medical phrases aloud, write them down, or do anything else that helps you remember them. The more you repeat the words, the more your brain will retain them.
Who Needs to Learn Medical Terminology?
Due to their direct involvement in healthcare or related fields, several professions gain from learning medical terminology. The following list of occupations usually necessitates familiarity with medical terminology:
- Physicians
- Medical assistants
- Trainees in medicine
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapist
- Medical emergency technicians
- 911 operators, or emergency responders
- Paramedics
- Nursing Staff
- Students and aids in nursing
- Dental Hygienist
- Social workers
- Home health care providers
- Managers of medical offices and receptionists
- Researchers in medicine
- Surgeons
- Insurance providers
- Billing experts
- Programmers for medical
- IT professionals in healthcare
- Officers in charge of medical compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the importance of medical terminology?
Medical terminology lowers the possibility of mistakes in diagnosis and treatment by ensuring that all parties involved in a patient’s care are aware of the same information. It advances the field of medical study. The basis of medical literature and research is medical terminology.
Which language is considered to be the first language of medical terminology?
Latin is regarded as the first language of medical terminology. Many medical terms and anatomical names have Latin roots, and this tradition dates back to the early development of medical science in ancient Rome and Greece. The use of Latin in medical terminology provides a universal and standardized means of communication for healthcare professionals worldwide.
How can I acquire free medical terminology?
Universities like the University of Minnesota and Des Moines University provide free online courses in medical terminology. Use these resources whenever it is convenient for you.
Which app is best for learning medical terminology?
Oxford Dictionary. Over 140 images and illustrations as well as 12,000 entries covering medical terminology are included in this software. This scramble-based software is for studying medical terminology. This software is accessible for both Android and iOS smartphones, and it offers over thirty-word lists to select from.
Conclusion
Online courses in medical terminology offered by community colleges, ranking among the top 10, serve as an excellent starting point for individuals aspiring to work in the medical field. Designed to cater to a diverse range of learning styles and interests, these courses provide a comprehensive and accessible method for grasping the intricate language of medicine.
The convenience and flexibility offered by online learning, especially through community colleges, are crucial in enabling individuals to acquire the fundamental skills necessary in the healthcare industry as we navigate an increasingly digital landscape.
The knowledge gained from these courses establishes a strong foundation for success in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of healthcare, irrespective of one’s career path involving nursing, medical administration, or research.
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