title: A study on the use of abbreviations among doctors and nurses in the medical department of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Misinterpretation of abbreviations by healthcare professionals has been reported to compromise patient safety. This study was done to determine the prevalence of abbreviations usage among medical doctors and nurses and their ability to interpret commonly used abbreviations in medical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven medical doctors and eighty nurses answered a self-administered questionnaire designed to capture demographic data and information regarding abbreviation use in medical practice. Comparisons were made between doctors and nurses with regards to frequency and reasons for using abbreviations; from where abbreviations were learned; frequency of encountering abbreviations in medical practice; prevalence of medical errors due to misinterpretation of abbreviations; and their ability to correctly interpret commonly used abbreviations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of abbreviations was highly prevalent among doctors and nurses. Time saving, avoidance of writing sentences in full and convenience, were the main reasons for using abbreviations. Doctors learned abbreviations from fellow doctors while nurses learned from fellow nurses and doctors. More doctors than nurses reported encountering abbreviations. Both groups reported no difficulties in interpreting abbreviations although nurses reported often resorting to guesswork. Both groups felt abbreviations were necessary and an acceptable part of work. Doctors outperformed nurses in correctly interpreting commonly used standard and non-standard abbreviations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of standard and non-standard abbreviation in clinical practice by doctors and nurses was highly prevalent. Significant variability in interpretation of abbreviations exists between doctors and nurses.
authors.affiliation: International Medical University, Internal Medicine, Clinical School, Jalan Rasah, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan 70400, Malaysia. kweechoy_koh@imu.edu.my.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: International Medical University, Department of Medicine, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: International Medical University, Department of Medicine, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S A M
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Yusof
authors.affiliation: International Medical University, Department of Medicine, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Mohamad
authors.affiliation: International Medical University, Department of Medicine, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: F S A
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Shahabuddin
authors.affiliation: International Medical University, Department of Medicine, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Ahmat
authors.affiliation: Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar, Department of Medicine, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Teh