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Medical slang and its functions

R H Coombs1, S Chopra, D R Schenk

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1759.

Social Science & Medicine (1982)
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Medical slang acquisition begins in the third year of medical school, peaking during internship. Both male and female physicians use similar amounts of slang, serving psychosocial functions throughout their careers.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Sociology
  • Linguistic Anthropology
  • Physician Career Development

Background:

  • Medical slang is a distinct linguistic feature within healthcare settings.
  • Understanding slang provides insights into the professional socialization of physicians.
  • Previous research has not comprehensively analyzed slang development across a physician's career.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the developmental trajectory of medical slang usage in physicians' careers.
  • To categorize medical slang based on social and professional contexts.
  • To explore the psychosocial functions of medical slang.

Main Methods:

  • Ethnographic methods were employed to gather over 300 medical slang terms.
  • Slang terms were classified into categories: setting, players, social processes, and death/dying.
  • Slang usage patterns were analyzed in relation to career stages, from medical school to internship.

Main Results:

  • Medical slang acquisition typically starts in the third year of medical school.
  • Slang usage peaks during the internship year.
  • No significant differences in slang usage were observed between male and female clinicians.

Conclusions:

  • Medical slang evolves throughout a physician's training and early career.
  • Slang serves multiple psychosocial functions within the medical profession.
  • The study provides a framework for understanding the social dynamics of medical language.