Laura Medlin's New Book Aids in Learning AMERICAN HOSPITAL ENGLISH

The language and terminology used in the hospital setting can be complex and hard to understand even for native English speakers who are trained in the healthcare professions. It is also understandable for foreign and non-native English speakers working in American hospitals, such as international nurses, to encounter some linguistic difficulty. Thus, author and registered nurse Laura Medlin presents a helpful and entertaining guide that uses word games to bolster readers' mastery of medical language, as used in the clinical setting, with her new book, American Hospital English.

Medlin's book contains 29 English language puzzles and exercises for anyone interested in the type of English language used in American hospitals. It can be used by all levels of both native and non-native speakers of English, professionals and non-professionals who are already working or others pursuing medical or healthcare studies. All of the vocabulary and phrases in this book are comprised of at least one or more elements of the subjects of anatomy and physiology, health and disease, diagnostics, surgical interventions, pharmacology, policies and procedures, job descriptions, equipment and/or patient care situations.

The authentic language includes colloquial and slang terms while modeling phrases and repeating grammatical forms used in a healthcare context. Many phrases resemble those that may be encountered during classes or exams for various healthcare occupations. Drawings provide visual cues to help contextualize the language. It can be a fun and challenging way to become familiar with the words, sentences, abbreviations and symbols of the American hospital environment. This book can also be used by language or healthcare instructors.