病例指显现临床病症,病人指显现临床病症的人。另外,病例是由于表现或报告得出的,而病人是描述出的。
两者之间的区别可能在单个实例中看起来较为清晰。但在书写较繁杂语句或段落时,术语选取就会变得更加令人费解。因此在相关临床医学的研究论文中,作者应该尽可能在一个语句内保持一致性,有利于保持内容清晰。
例如以下的句子: In our study, 10 cases (20%) out of 50 patients had evidence of tuberculosis co-infection. (inconsistent)本科研中,50 位病人中有 10 例病例 (20%) 有感染结核病联合感染的征兆。(不一致) In our study, 10 cases (20%) out of 50 cases had evidence of tuberculosis co-infection. (consistent)本科研中,50 例病例中有 10 例病例 (20%) 有感染结核病联合感染的征兆。(一致) In our study, 10 patients (20%) out of 50 patients had evidence of tuberculosis co-infection. (consistent)本科研中,50 位病人中有 10 位病人 (20%) 有感染结核病联合感染的征兆。(一致)
第一句在病例和病人这两个术语之间进行了切换,相比之下,第二和第三个例句都保持了一致性。另外,以上示例都正确地运用了相应术语,由于“有感染结核病联合感染的征兆”既可用于临床病症,又适用于显现该临床病症的病人个人。
在全文保持术语的一致性,亦有利于让读者更加清晰的理解您的文稿。例如: Patients with a history of co-infection were excluded. The symptoms and treatment of these cases were recorded. (inconsistent)已排除有联合感患病史的病人。已记录此类病例的症状与治疗办法。(不一致) Patients with a history of co-infection were excluded. The symptoms and treatment of these patients were recorded. (consistent)已排除有联合感患病史的病人。已记录此类病人的症状与治疗办法。(一致)
尽管第1句中正确运用了病人和病例,但从一致性的方向来看,第二句更加可取。请重视,在这两处都运用病例是不正确的。由于短语“有联合感患病史”更适用于身患临床病症的病人个人,而不适用于显现临床病症的情况描述。
|