Sloane's Medical Word Book

When I first started transcribing in 1980, the first edition of this book was my bible. When I was lost in a black hole of unintelligible doctor-mumble, being able to narrow the terms down to groups of specialties saved the day for me. Now, after 23 years as an acute care MT, I teach full time at a community college and I require this book for my transcription students. Ellen Drake's meticulous edits and additions have at least quadrupled the page count and made it a trustworthy reference. I must admit, though, that as an experienced MT, it would not be the first book I pulled off my shelf when stuck on a word now. Now I usually first turn to the latest edition of Stedman's, the Drakes' latest pharmaceutical reference, or to a word book with extensive terms in a particular specialty. That's because the Medical Word Book is more like a text version of an experienced MT's brain. So I probably wouldn't recommend this for an "old" MT like me -- but newbies will LOVE it.

I have been a medical transcriptionist since 1973. That is when I first started using my first MEDICAL WORD BOOK, by Sloan. I just received the newest edition of this book. Having words categorized by different body systems makes it much easier and quicker to use. Also, I have found words in there that I could not find in other references, because I knew what system of the body it would be in. I have many other references at my fingertips and if I had to choose only one to be on my desktop, this would definitely be it!!

My initial leap into the medical transcription field was incredibly frustrating - attempting to learn an entirely new language . . . in Latin . . .and type at the speed of sound. None of the manuals that I received with my pre-packaged medical "tutorial" compared to the salvation that I found in this book and my Stedman's spellchecker. I agree that some updating is necessary, but this book is still the best quick reference that I have. After 5 years of transcription, I still pick it up first!

This book is a quick reference guide formatted in categories and is easy to use. It does not give any definitions for the words, just the spelling. I use this book often, especially when the physician is referring to a field that I am unsure of. It has saved me many times from frustration in using the dictionary when I am not exactly sure of the prenunciation by the physician. This is definitely a book to have in your medical library.

I am a Medical Transcriptionist student, nearing the end of my course and I have already obtained a number of medical dictionaries and encyclopedias as aids. THIS is the one that is already dog-eared from constant use, by myself, and others in my class. I wouldn't want to be without it. It's easy to use, clear, and concise. I also appreciate its compact size.