Acronyms

Medical acronyms and eponyms can be confusing at the best of times. Here at HealthEngine we are trying to make life a little easier by grouping the acronyms for medical associations, societies, colleges and commonly used medical terms into alphabetized tables.

• Medical Acronyms – the full table [below]
• Medical Associations and Societies
• Medical Colleges and Faculties
• Glossary of terms for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM]

Medical Acronyms Explained

Acronym	Definition and Reference
AA	Alcoholics Anonymous
AAAGP	Australian Association for Academic General Practice
	Andrology Australia
AACMA	Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association
AAD	Deaf Australia [Formerly - Australian Association of the Deaf (AAD)]
AAESS	Deaf Australia
AAFPS	Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery
AAMA	Australian Aromatic Medicine Association
AAMM	Australian Association of Musculoskeletal Medicine
AAMT	Australian Association of Massage Therapists
AAOS	Amedican Academy of Orthopeadic Surgery
AAPM	Australian Association of Practice Managers
ABG	Australasian Brachytherapy Group
ABIM	American Board of Internal Medicine
ABIME	American Board of Independent Medical Examiners Medicine
ABOS	Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
AC	Companion of the Order of Australia
ACA	The Australian Counselling Association
ACCA	Australian Crohn’s and Colitis Association [Now called CCA (Crohn’s and Colitis Australia)]
ACCESS	Australia’s National Infertility Network [Now called CCA (Crohn’s and Colitis Australia)]
ACC	American College of Cardiology
ACCS	Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery
ACEM	Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
AChAM	Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine
AChPM	Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine
ACHS	The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
AChSHM	Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine
ACLM	The Australian College of Legal Medicine
ACMA	Australian Chinese Medical Association
ACNEM	Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
ACP	The American College of Physicians
ACP	The Australasian College of Phlebology
ACPM	The Australian College of Physical Medicine
ACPSEM	Australasian College for Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine
ACSCM	Australasian College of Skin Cancer Medicine
ACSP	Australasian College of Sports Physicians
ACRRM	The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
ACTM	The Australasian College of Tropical Medicine
ADF	Australian Drug Foundation
ADIA	Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association
ADIN	Australian Drug Information Network
ADIPS	Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society
ADS	The Australian Diabetes Society
AES	Australian Endocrine Surgeons
AFMBE	Australian Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering
AFOEM	Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine[RACP]
AFRM	The Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
AFPHM	Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine
AFSM	Australian Fire Service Medal
AGPN	Australasian General Practice Network
AGPT	Australasian General Practice Training
AGSA	The Association of Genetic Support of Australasia
AHA	The Australian Homœopathic Association
AHCWA	Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia
AHMF	Australian Herpes Management Forum
AHML	Australian HealthCare Messaging Laboratory
AIDA	Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association
AIHW	Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
AIMA	Australasian Integrative Medicine Association
ALF	Australian Liver Foundation
ALLG	Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group
ALMA	Australian Lifestyle Medicine Association
AM	Member of the Order of Australia
AMAC	The Australian Medical Acupuncture College
AMS	Australasian Menopause Society
AMSA	Australian Medical Students Association
ANTA	Australian Natural Therapists Association
ANZAPS	Australian and New Zealand Association of Paediatric Surgeons [Formerly - Australaian Association of Paediatric Surgeons [AAPS]]
ANZ BCTG	The Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group
ANZBMS	The Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society
ANZGOG	The Australian New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group
ANZGOSA	The Australian and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association
ANZCA	Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
ANZHPBA	Australian and New Zealand Hepatic, Pancreatic and Biliary Association
ANZHNS	Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Society
ANZOS	Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society [Formerly the Australasian Society for the Study of Obesity (ASSO)]
ANZSVS	Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery
AO	Officer of the Order of Australia
AOA	Australian Orthopaedic Association
APAA	The Association of Professional Aestheticians of Australia
APEG	Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group
APHA	Australian Private Hospitals Associations
APHCRI	The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute
APNA	Australian Practice Nurses Association
APSU	The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit
ARA	Australian Rheumatology Association
ASA	Australian Society of Anaesthetists
ASAPS	Australasian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
ASBD	Australian Society for Breast Disease
ASCIA	Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
ASCTS	Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons
ASGO	Australian Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists
ASHM	Australasian Society for HIV Medicine
ASIC	Australian Securities and Investment Commission
ASM	Ambulance Service Medal
ASMBS	American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
ASMF	Australian Sports Medicine Federation
ASMI	Australian School of Medical Imaging
ASMR	Australian Society for Medical Research
ASN	American Society of Nephrology
ASOHNS	Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery
ASPS	Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
ASSET	Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training
ATA	Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training
ATF	Australian Tinnitus Association
ATMS	Australian Traditional-Medicine Society
ATLS	Advanced Trauma Life Support
BAO	Baccalaureus in Arte Obstetricia [Bachelor of Obstetrics]
CAAN	Community Alcohol Action Network
CCA	Crohn’s and Colitis Australia [Formerly - The Australian Crohn’s and Colitis Assocation (ACCA)]
CCrISP	Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient
CGO	Certification in Gynaecological Oncology [FRANZCOG]
CIME	Certified Independent Medical Examiner [ABIME]
CLEAR	Critical Literature Evaluation and Research
CMAA	Cardiomyopathy Association of Australia
CMFM	Certification in Maternal-Fetal Medicine [FRANZCOG]
CMM	Certificate of Advanced Training in Manual Medicine (RACGP)
CMRB	Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria
CORE	Critical Literature Evaluation and Research
CNSA	Australian Centre for Obesity Research and Education
COGU	Certification in Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasound [FRANZCOG]
COSA	Clinical Oncological Society of Australia
CREI	Certification in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility [FRANZCOG]
CSANZ	Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
CSC	Conspicuous Service Cross
CSSANZ	Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand [Formerly the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia [CSSA]]
CU	Certification in Urogynaecology [FRANZCOG]
CYDS	Centre for Youth Drug Studies
DAA	Dietitians Association of Australia
DoHA	Department of Health and Ageing Australian Government
DRANZCOG	Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
DRS	Doctors Reform Society
EAA	Eczema Association of Australasia
EMST	Early Management of Severe Trauma
EPSM	Engineering and Physical Sciences in Medicine
ESA	The Endocrine Society of Australia
FAAFPS	Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery
FAAO	Fellow of the Amedican Academy of Optometry
FAAOS	Fellow of the Amedican Academy of Orthopeadic Surgery
FACC	Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
FACCS	Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery
FACD	Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists
FACEM	Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
FAChPM	Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine [RACP]
FAChSHM	Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine [RACP] [Formerly the FACSHP]
FACLM	Fellow of the Australian College of Legal Medicine
FACNEM	Fellow of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
FACOM	Fellow of the Australian College of Occupational Medicine [Now the FAFOEM]
FACP	Fellow of the American College of Physicians
FACPM	Fellow of the Australian College of Physical Medicine
FACRM	Fellow of the Australian College of Rehabilitation Medicine
FACRRM	Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
FACS	Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
FACSHP	Fellow of the Australasian College of Sexual Health Physicians [Now FAChSHM]
FACSM	Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine
FACSP	Fellow of the Australian College of Sports Physicians
FACTM	Fellow of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine
FAFMM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Musculoskeletal Medicine
FAFOEM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine[Formerly the FAFOM and FACOM]
FAFOM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational Medicine [Now the FAFOEM]
FAFPHM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine
FAFRM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
FAMAC	Fellow of the Australian Medical Acupuncture Society
FAMAS	Fellow of the Australian Medical Acupuncture College
FANZCA	Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
FASMF	Fellow of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation
FASN	Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology
FCSANZ	Fellow of the Cardiovascular Society of Australia and New Zealand
FEBO	Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology
FESC	Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology
FFICANZCA	Fellow of the Faculty of Intensive Care Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
FFOM	Fellow of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine [Now the FAFOEM]
FFPMANZCA	Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
FFTM (UK)	Fellow of the Faculty of Travel Medicine
FFSEM	Fellow of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine [UK]
FFSEM (Ire)	Fellow of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine [Ireland]
FICS	Fédération Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport [International Federation of Sports Chiropractic]
FIMS (UK)	Fédération Internationale de Médecine du Sport [International Federation of Sports Medicine]
FJFICM	Fellow of the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine
FPM	Faculty of Pain Medicine [ANZCA]
FRACDS(OMS)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
FRACGP	Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
FRACMA	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators
FRACP	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
FRACS	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
FRACS (Card)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Cardiothoracic Surgery
FRACS (Gen)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in General Surgery
FRACS (Neuro)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Neurourgery
FRACS (Ortho)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Orthopaedic Surgery
FRACS (OHNS)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery
FRACS (Paed)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Paediatric Surgery
FRACS (Plast)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
FRACS (Urol)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Urology
FRACS (Vasc)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Vascular Surgery
FRANZCO	Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
FRANZCOG	Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
FRANZCP	Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
FRANZCR	Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
FSA	Fertility Society of Australia
FRCPA	Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
FSCAI	Fellow of the Society of Cardiovascualr Angiography and Intervention
FSDrA	Fellow of Sports Doctors Australia
FRCPCH	Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
FRSTMH	Fellow of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygeine [UK]
FSEM (UK)	Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine [UK]
GAIN	Gynaecological Awareness Information Network
GCS	Gynaecological Cancer Society
GESA	The Gastroenterological Society of Australia
GPCG	General Practice Computing Group
GPCE	General Practitioner Conference and Expo
GPRA	General Practice Registrars Australia
GPSA	General Practitioners’ Society in Australia [Now Known as the PDA]
GSA	General Surgeons Australia
HCN	Health Communication Network
HGSA	Human Genetics Society of Australasia
HIMAA	Health Information Management Association Australia
HISA	Health Informatics Society of Australia
ICGP	Irish College General Practitioners
IFSO	International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
ISHR	International Society for Heart Research
IBIS	Irritable Bowel Information and Support Association of Australia
JCCMA	The Joint Consultative Committee on Medical Acupuncture
JFICM	Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine
LAH	Licentiate of Apothecaries’ Hall, Dublin, Ireland – no longer awarded
LM	Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. Historical non-university qualifying licenciates. Also known as LRCPI LRCSI
LRCP&SI	Licentiate of Midwifery. Associated with RCSI and no longer awarded
MASTA	Minding Your Health Abroad
MFOMRCP	Member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine – The Royal College of Physicians of London
MICGP	Member of the Irish College General Practitioners
MJA	The Medical Journal of Australia
M Med	Masters in Medicine M Med (Pain Mx) Masters in Medicine (Pain Management) M Med (Phys Med) Masters in Medicine (Physical Medicine)
MND Australia	Motor neurone disease [MND] Australia
MNDRIA	Motor neurone disease Research Institute of Australia
MOGA	The Medical Oncology Group of Australia
MSOAP	Medical Specialist Outreach Assistance Program
NAC	The National Asthma Council Australia
NAWLS	National Association for Weightloss surgery
NBOCC	National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre
NCIRS	National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
NDARC	The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
NEHTA	The National e-Health Transaction Authority
NHMRC	The National Health and Medical Research Council
NICS	National Institute of Clinical Studies
NPS	National Prescribing Service
NRHSN	National Rural Health Students Network
NSA	Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
NSF	National Stroke Foundation
NZAPS	The New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons
NZOA	New Zealand Orthopaedic Association
NZSOHNS	The New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
OAM	Medal of the Order of Australia
OSSANZ	Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand
PBS	Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
PDA	Private Doctors of Australia [Formerly the GPSA]
PHAA	Public Health Association Australia
PHC RIS	Primary Health Care Research and Information Service
PSM	Public Service Medal
RACDS	The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons
RACGP	The Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners
RACMA	The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators
RACS	The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
RANZCO	The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
RANZCP	The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
RANZCR	The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
RACP	The Royal Australasian College of Physicians
RCPA	Royal College of Pathologists of Australia
RCPI	Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
RCSI	Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland
RDAA	Rural Doctors Association of Victoria
RDANSW	Rural Doctors Association of New South Wales
RDAV	Rural Doctors Association of Australia
RFDS	Royal Flying Doctors Association
RHPA	Rheumatology Health Professionals Association
RMFN	Rural Medical Family Network
RRMEO	Rural and Remote Medical Education Online
RVTS	Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health
SARRAH	Remote Vocational Training Scheme
SCAI	The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions
SCCANZ	The Skin Cancer College of Australia and New Zealand [Formerly the Skin Cancer Society of Australia]
SDrA	Sports Doctors Australia
SH&FPA	Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia
SHOUT	Self Help Organisations United Together
SMA	Sports Medicine Australia
SMBE	Society for Medical and Biological Engineering
SRB	Society for Reproductive Biology [Formerly the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology]
TCA	Travel Clinics Australia
TMVC	Traveller’s Medical and Vaccination Centre
TSANZ	The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand [Formerly the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology]
USANZ	Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand