Use of abbreviation

[nilmonisikdar40]

Since I joined the forum some years ago, I have been insistent about avoiding the use of the above but the participants still keep using it. That can cause lot of confusion since a particular abbreviation can stand for many things. For example H.F. ( heart failure ) can be several things like CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE or LEFT VENTRICULAR FAILURE. Even Health professionals avoid this use when communicating among themselves. It is so important to maintain clear communication

[Happyrosie]

totally agree!

[Hidden]

🙄🤔 you have my vote👍 ❤

[Sharpglo]

I so agree, I am for ever googling these things. Thanks for saying.

[Sb1171]

While you may have a valid point, you can only really make up rules and insist they are followed in relation to yourself. Even in your example HF (which in this forum would be read as “heart failure”) and the long form are equally ambiguous as to the specific condition. If other participants want to use abbreviations then that is their prerogative surely? (IMHO😬)

[Gigi70]

Totally agree. It's also a maddening trend in other areas of life too! thank you for raising this and hope it can be added to the boxes that pop up directing ones communications by the British Heart Foundation moderators.

Michele

[SeanCRT-D]

👍

[Scotsman53]

I get annoyed with abbreviations sometimes too but don't expect others to follow you, you'll be constantly disappointed! Better just accept and get used to it.

[pasigal]

Welcome to the internet!

But seriously, it can get confusing but if you're typing on a phone it's much easier to abbreviate then write things out over and over again. YMMV...🙂

[nilmonisikdar40]

Thanks to all who agreed with me about the use of abbreviations. I can understand the views of those who disagree with me. Surely it does not take a long time to write in full what abbreviation stands for just once and then subsequently use abbreviation. As some one mentioned it is a bad habit not only in this forum but also in all walks of life. I hope it makes sense.

[jgd15]

Just had a look at the abbreviations list I maintain relevant to my conditions and it is about 160 single line items and there are no duplications so far. Its very useful not only for forums and quickly deciphering doctors results letters but also informative and, in places, reads like the shipping forecast.eg TTE, TULA ,TURP , TURBT ,TWOC.. Recommend.

[tangotese]

I too wish people writing would not use "jargon" and abbreviations. I got very little information about my heart attack, stenting and subsequent triple bypass and stroke. Probably because I didn't ask as more concerned with husband living with dementia. Consequently now I am able to consider my own health I am ignorant and too late to ask.

[Anothernewbie]

Totally agree. I am regularly checking to see what abbreviations mean, especially when the same one is used in two different contexts. I don't expect it will ever stop though.

[Wingnutty]

I posted some years ago that Health Unlocked should have an alphabetical abbreviations page that can be quickly accessed from the forum to enable readers to understand what members are saying. I don't think the admin pay any attention to posts though, unless it has the C word or V word in it.

[fishonabike in reply to Wingnutty]

actually Covid is no longer a banned word, but I don't know about V as I don't know what it refers to

[Wingnutty in reply to fishonabike]

The chosen method for dealing with Covid before it takes hold. Hopefully, the V word is no longer banned either if the C word isn't

[fishonabike]

the accepted form in published material is that the full term is used for the first mention with the acronym in brackets (AIB) after it, for further mentions the AIB can be used

this means that any comments or responses can use the AIB knowing that they are referring to the same thing

this is a helpful format, as long as you read the text from the start - I suggest that members should try to do this

[Henry20 in reply to fishonabike]

Good suggestion which works in many scientific/technical papers I've seen. It needs to be in each individual contribution.

[Qualipop]

I agree people need to be clear in their descriptions but many people don't know the exact details. They may only have been told they have for instance heart failure. I know I was told absolutely nothing after my heart attack. There is a list of abbreviations in the pinned posts at the top of the page.

[PadThaiNoodles]

My discharge records from my recent open heart surgery start with:

*Do not use any abbreviations*

Two lines down we find:

Elective admission for MVR under Prof [redacted].

I thought it was pretty funny.