Abbreviations

[tamariki]

To me it seems that computers have made people lazy, and some have even forgotten how to write. It is common practice nowadays to use letters to describe our illness, e.g. SVT, AF, CCI, etc. When I read a newspaper, it is rare for an article to be written without some abbreviations. Most newspaper reports, and articles posted on this site are done on a computer. Surely a few extra keystrokes would not be too difficult, so we could understand what was being discussed, instead of trying to interpretate the meaning.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

There is s pinned post titled "Abbreviations and acronyms" dealing with this.

[tamariki in reply to MichaelJH]

It doesn't mention any of the illness I wrote about.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

SVT, AF, CCI = Supraventricular Tachycardia, Atrial Fibrillation, Calcium Channel Inhibitor

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I do agree, Tamariki. When I’m trying to communicate, it seems a good idea to make it easier for the reader! I’m rather put off postings if I have to keep looking things up.

[Sunnie2day]

It used to be when writing something no matter the intended audience, the item was written out entirely the first time and immediately followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. For example:

I have Rheumatic Heart Syndrome (RHS); the condition never really slowed me down until my mid-fifties.

Ever heard the expression 'Don't throw the baby out with the bath water'? I think 'modern times' have forgot that old saying in the rush to, well, rush! Having that old fashioned style of writing made reading anything from a newspaper article to a medical journal piece intended for the 'general public' so much more accessible!

[Gladwyn in reply to Sunnie2day]

I should have read the posts before I answered . That's exactly what I was suggesting 🙄. I think I'll just go back to bed 😏

[Wooodsie]

Well said Tamariki, I was on the verge of posting the same thing. It is especially hard when one is new to the forum. All devices these days have predictive text, so you only have to start typing a word.

NMA's that's No More Acronyms

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

In general I tend to explain an abbreviation on first reference, e.g. CCI (calcium channel inhibitor). Personally I believe having to look things up occasionally helps people learn and remember. But then I am old school!

[tunybgur]

Many people (myself included) cannot spell some of the medical terms without constantly checking a medical dictionary, and to be honest I don't think it would improve our understanding of the subject, and would certainly make the text much more clumsy to read. It is however very simple to highlight the abbreviation, right click and go to 'search Google for ***', works fine for me.

[Gladwyn in reply to tunybgur]

Thankyou. I've learnt something today!

[Sunnie2day in reply to Gladwyn]

Me too - I had no idea I could do that, wow! (But I'd still prefer writers would use the old but proper grammar practice of writing it out followed by the abbreviation in parentheses)

[Hidden]

Agree wholeheartedly🤣. When I was a sick children’s nurse the abbreviation CHD caused a lot of confusion as it can stand for congenital hip dislocation, congenital heart disease, congestive heart disease, and of course, in adults Coronary heart disease.

We were allowed to use abbreviation in patient reports, exam questions, etc but always had to write it in full the first time in each report with the abbreviation in brackets afterwards to avoid any confusion.

Pat x

[JayceeW]

The use of abbreviations continually certainly makes some postings extremely difficult to follow. Michael’s suggestion of using the full name first, and the abbreviations after, is the most effective way of communicating.

[jerry12953 in reply to JayceeW]

Agree 100%. I can't make head or tail of some of the posts here!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to jerry12953]

I trust you find mine fairly readable although I have been PM'd to say I can baffle at times!

[jerry12953 in reply to MichaelJH]

Yes, I think so. A long list of abbreviations is a problem though.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I would like to remind people that the BHF do same excellent booklets on the various heart conditions. These are available in many out patient clinics and online.

[17Nevil]

I think it is the doctors who are responsible for most of it

I had

sca s

dcm

Af

Lvd

Hf

Copd

And now have ckd

It would take quite a bit to write that out

[tamariki]

I thought doctors wrote in Latin, or maybe that is in the dim and distant past.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to tamariki]

Quae fuit ante saeculum (that was a century ago).

Latin was used in the medical profession as it allowed doctors to write perscriptions understood in nearly all countries. That they did it to hide information is just another conspiracy theory!

[tamariki in reply to MichaelJH]

Reminded me of our old Latin teacher. First thing he said when he came into the class was " woe betide any wretch who hasn't done his homework."

[Gladwyn]

Agreed . Recently I've tried to understand posts with lots of abbreviations to no avail. If posters would please type the complete thing even once in their post then use the abbreviations, at least I could refer back if necessary. I get fed up guessing 😕

[Sunnie2day in reply to Gladwyn]

Too right! Having it in one comment box (fully written followed by the abbreviation in parentheses) means the reader has all the information in the one source - no need to Google, no need to call up a list of abbreviations.

[Retren]

I have more or less stopped trying to figure out the meanings it makes me feel obsolete the future for any meaningful conversations seem to be grim.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I agree.

I have to attend lots of committes and I always ask for a glossary of abbreviations. I ask anybody who uses abbreviations to tell me what they mean.

I do try to write in full first followed with the abbreviation in brackets.

Abbreviations are used by some as away of retaining power and knowledge.

The NHS has a language all of it's own and just loves to use abbreviations to confused and bamboozle.