The new decade in still young but the latest terminology of healthcare and wellness is already taking shape. Are you familiar with all the lingo, like 404 moments, dystopia, and others? It’s a whole new world out there, so learn the jargon so you can stay ahead of the curve. Here are the top five terms you need to know to stay in the loop.
Frequent Flyers
This term has been around for a while but was previously only used by industry insiders like doctors, nurses, and physical therapists. It’s used to describe people who show up in emergency rooms whenever they become the least bit ill, slightly injured, or simply worried about a symptom they think they have. Borrowed from the airline industry, healthcare frequent flyers have been known to use emergency room services as often as their insurance plans allow.
MMJ and MMJC’s
Legalization of cannabis for medical use was one of the major news stories of the previous decade. Now, the wellness community’s lingo is catching up with the trend. In at least 33 states, people can get prescriptions for MMJ, medical marijuana, and obtain MMJC’s, medical marijuana cards. For example, Nevada residents can apply for medical marijuana cards online from NuggMD and then receive their MMJC’s in the mail. Every year or so, voters approve MMJ in state voting, thus adding more areas around the U.S. where MMJ is legal. Cardholders can visit state-approved cannabis dispensaries and purchase marijuana legally when they show their card and a valid form of ID.
Dyscopia
This very new term is used to describe people who have no apparent medical problem but who seek the care of a doctor because they believe something is wrong with them. In some cases, the only problem is an emotional inability to cope with something in their lives. Healthcare professionals also apply the term to people who have seriously ill loved ones and are having difficulty coping with the situation. Fortunately, doctors often recommend psychological counseling for people suffering from extreme cases of dyscopia.
404 Moment
The well-known computer error message 404 Page Not Found or 404 Server Not Found is the basis for this clever new healthcare term that describes a situation when needed health records can’t be located. A doctor treating a patient might suddenly realize he’s misplaced the person’s file and will say something like, well, give me a minute here. I’m having a 404 moment. A 404 moment as everyday slang has crept into common usage, too. For example, you might ask your car repair shop if your vehicle is ready, give them your name, and wait for an answer. If the technician can’t locate you in the computer, they would say, sorry, 404 moment, give me a minute.
Doc in a Box
Docs in boxes aren’t entirely new, but the term is now gaining traction as a common bit of slang to describe small medical offices, many of which are open 24 hours per day and treat minor emergencies or general illnesses only. Many suburban neighborhoods now have at least one doc in the box.
