In this study, the actual usage of loanwords, abbreviations, and jargon (terminology) in the hands-on clinical setting and clinical nurses' understanding of terminology were examined. A glossary of terminology that caused communication problems was compiled in order to contribute to the improvement of communication among nurses and between nurses and physicians. A total of 1,000 nurses in six hospitals in Prefecture, A Japan, were asked to fill out a questionnaire prepared by us. A total of 163 examples of terminology that were incomprehensible to them and caused communication problems were extracted from the survey findings and used in the glossary of terminology. Of the 748 respondents, 97% said that they used special terms, and 81.6% said they had encountered terminology that they were unable to understand. Among the latter, 9.1% had experienced problems through the use of terminology. Some of the problems cited were [lack of comprehension by the listener], [delay in treatment], etc. Concerning the necessity of terminology, 44.5% responded that it was either [necessary] or [very necessary]. Examples of terminology that many respondents had difficulty understanding were [suteru] and [takiru], among others. The use of terminology, which can deliver information quickly and concisely to a listener, plays a large role in the performance of nursing duties, but the inherent danger of bringing about a medical accident was also indicated. In addition, it was suggested that as a specialist working in an important clinical setting concerned with people's lives, each nurse should keep in mind that it is extremely important to understand the correct meaning of technical terms and to use them appropriately.
Terminology ; Clinical ; Comprehension ; Nurses ; Communication

Background/Aims: Three-dimensional (3D) flexible endoscopy, a new imaging modality that provides a stereoscopic view, can facilitate endoscopic hand suturing (EHS), a novel intraluminal suturing technique. This ex-vivo pilot study evaluated the usefulness of 3D endoscopy in EHS. Methods: Four endoscopists (two certified, two non-certified) performed EHS in six sessions on a soft resin pad. Each session involved five stitches, under alternating 3D and two-dimensional (2D) conditions. Suturing time (sec/session), changes in suturing time, and accuracy of suturing were compared between 2D and 3D conditions. Results: The mean suturing time was shorter in 3D than in 2D (9.8±3.4 min/session vs. 11.2±5.1 min/session) conditions and EHS was completed faster in 3D conditions, particularly by non-certified endoscopists. The suturing speed increased as the 3D sessions progressed. Error rates (failure to grasp the needle, failure to thread the needle, and puncture retrial) in the 3D condition were lower than those in the 2D condition, whereas there was no apparent difference in deviation distance. Conclusions 3D endoscopy may contribute to increasing the speed and accuracy of EHS in a short time period. Stereoscopic viewing during 3D endoscopy may help in efficient skill acquisition for EHS, particularly among novice endoscopists.