Neologisms in medical practice: their potential to be 'useful', 'useless' or 'misleading'

The advances in human endeavours have led to changes in technology. New words, neologisms, have been creeping up and are coined with astounding speed. While these terms are fascinating etymologically, their impact needs to be appreciated from a realistic perspective to keep one aware of the collateral changes we are importing into common language, particularly in medical practice. The aim of this paper is to identify some of such neologisms, outline their current use and then discuss their potential to be 'useful' 'useless' or 'misleading'.

Terminologies in medical practice and information technology have been selected by the authors and their meanings have been analysed.

The terminologies of our present interest include: Computer literacy; Surfing the web; Networking; Information technology; Medical informatics; Telemedicine; Capacity building; Problem-based learning; Mentoring; Learning curve; Evidence-based medicine; Impression; Comorbid conditions; Family medicine; Andropause; Surgical site infection; Confidence interval.

Neologisms are inescapable in the face of rapid advances in knowledge, equipment and information dissemination to and through diverse cultures and languages. In their assimilation, we should be considerate in discarding familiar terms that have served time.