Assessing common knowledge in medical terminologies among health information management students in Nigeria
Keywords:
Anatomy and physiology; Health information management; Language of medicine, Medical abbreviations; Medical terminologyAbstract
Background/Objectives: The study evaluates the knowledge of medical terminology among Health Information Management (HIM) students in Nigeria, highlighting its importance in healthcare communication and professional efficiency. Design/Methods: Conducted at the 2023 National Association of Health Information Management Students (NAHIMS) conference, the study utilized a 30-question multiple-choice test, assessing 69 students who participated. Results Results showed that 68.1% of participants scored above the average benchmark, with a mean score of 17.3 ± 5.4. However, gaps in understanding foundational medical terms were identified, suggesting that current HIM curricula may not adequately emphasize medical terminology. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for a re-evaluation of educational programs to ensure comprehensive training. Recommendations include reintroducing medical terminology as a core course in HIM programs to improve understanding and professional readiness.
