1.A study on the use of abbreviations among doctors and nurses in the medical department of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia
Kwee Choy Koh ; Kit Mun Lau ; Siti Aisyah Mohd Yusof ; Ahmed Ikhwan Mohamad ; Farah Syazana Ahmad Shahabuddin ; Nur Hazirah Ahmat ; Pei Chiek Teh
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2015;70(6):334-340
Introduction: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by
healthcare professionals has been reported to compromise
patient safety. This study was done to determine the
prevalence of abbreviations usage among medical doctors
and nurses and their ability to interpret commonly used
abbreviations in medical practice.
Methods: Seventy-seven medical doctors and eighty nurses
answered a self-administered questionnaire designed to
capture demographic data and information regarding
abbreviation use in medical practice. Comparisons were
made between doctors and nurses with regards to
frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where
abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering
abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of medical
errors due to misinterpretation of abbreviations; and their
ability to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations.
Results: The use of abbreviations was highly prevalent
among doctors and nurses. Time saving, avoidance of
writing sentences in full and convenience, were the main
reasons for using abbreviations. Doctors learned
abbreviations from fellow doctors while nurses learned from
fellow nurses and doctors. More doctors than nurses
reported encountering abbreviations. Both groups reported
no difficulties in interpreting abbreviations although nurses
reported often resorting to guesswork. Both groups felt
abbreviations were necessary and an acceptable part of
work. Doctors outperformed nurses in correctly interpreting
commonly used standard and non-standard abbreviations.
Conclusion: The use of standard and non-standard
abbreviation in clinical practice by doctors and nurses was
highly prevalent. Significant variability in interpretation of
abbreviations exists between doctors and nurses.
2.A comparative study on how medical students learn about the use of abbreviations in medical practice
Farah Syazana Ahmad Shahabuddin ; Nur Hazirah Ahmat ; Ahmed Ikhwan Mohamad ; Kit Mun Lau ; Siti Aisyah Mohd Yusof ; Pei Chiek The ; Kwee Choy Koh
International e-Journal of Science, Medicine and Education 2015;9(2):13-21
Background: Misinterpretation of abbreviations by
healthcare workers has been reported to compromise
patient safety. Medical students are future doctors.
We explored how early medical students acquired the
practice of using abbreviations, and their ability to
interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical
practice.
Method: Eighty junior and 74 senior medical students
were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire
designed to capture demographic data; frequency and
reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations
were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations
in medical practice; prevalence of mishaps due to
misinterpretation; and the ability of students to correctly
interpret commonly used abbreviations. Comparisons
were made between senior and junior medical students.
Results: Abbreviation use was highly prevalent among
junior and senior medical students. They acquired the
habit mainly from the clinical notes of doctors in the
hospital. They used abbreviations mainly to save time,
space and avoid writing in full sentences. The students
experienced difficulties, frustrations and often resorted to
guesswork when interpreting abbreviations; with junior
students experiencing these more than senior students.
The latter were better at interpreting standard and nonstandard
abbreviations. Nevertheless, the students felt
the use of abbreviations was necessary and acceptable.
Only a few students reported encountering mishaps in
patient management as a result of misinterpretation of
abbreviations.
Conclusion: Medical students acquired the habit of
using abbreviations early in their training. Senior
students knew more and correctly interpreted more
standard and non-standard abbreviations compared to
junior students. Medical students should be taught to
use standard abbreviations only.
Students, Medical