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Abstract

The purpose of medical journals is to disseminate information. This is achieved in a different manner than ordinary conversation. Conversation has the advantage over the virtual or printed page because the listener can immediately request clarification of any ambiguities. Common ambiguities in medical writing include words and phrases that are statistically incorrect, potentially inflammatory or logically flawed. Statistically incorrect words include association, average, incidence, prevalence, rate, significant and trend. Potentially inflammatory words and phrases include, ensure, failed, missed, suffering and standard of care. Logically flawed words and phrases include new, novel, many adjectives ending in –st, and gold standard. Relevant examples of correct and incorrect usage for this journal are given.

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Preferred terminology for medical journals

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