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Doctors issue warning over misuse of slang

BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7411.360-f (Published 14 August 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:360
  1. Roger Dobson
  1. Abergavenny

    Doctors have been advised to cut back on the use of slang, especially in medical notes.

    The authors of what is described as the first list of slang terms currently in use in British medical establishments say that use of derogatory slang and acronyms may lead to patients being devalued.

    “Although acknowledging that slang is likely to continue to be used, it should be kept to a minimum. With so much of the language being derogatory, it should be avoided in medical notes and only those terms used that are properly defined and unambiguous in nature,” …

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