Enhancing Medical Terminology Acquisition Through Coursera’s English For Medical Purposes (emp) Courses
Keywords:
Algeria, Coursera, English for Medical Purposes, Medical Terminology Acquisition, Online Language LearningAbstract
This study investigates the efficacy of Coursera's English for Medical Purposes (EMP) courses in enhancing medical terminology acquisition among second-year students at the Faculty of Medicine, Farhat Abbas Setif 1 University, Algeria. Employing a mixed-methods approach with a pretest-posttest control group design, the research commenced with qualitative inquiries, including classroom observations and focus group discussions, to identify the specific challenges students face in mastering medical terminology. Informed by these insights, selected Coursera Medical Terminology courses were implemented as an intervention. The study involved 280 randomly assigned students, with the experimental group completing the EMP courses while the control group received traditional instruction. Data collection encompassed pre- and post-tests to assess medical terminology knowledge, as well as a satisfaction scale to evaluate participants' attitudes toward the online learning experience. Statistical analysis using SPSS 20 revealed a significantly greater improvement in terminology acquisition among the experimental group compared to the control group. Furthermore, participants reported high satisfaction levels with the online EMP courses. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on the effectiveness of online language learning within specialized contexts, suggesting that integrating EMP courses into medical curricula can substantially enhance students' proficiency in medical English. Future investigations could explore the long-term retention of acquired terminology and its impact on clinical communication competencies. The findings have significant implications for medical education and international healthcare communication, underscoring the potential of technology-enabled learning solutions to address language barriers and improve patient-provider interactions.
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