Patient Resources

• Primary Care Provider (PCP): A healthcare professional who serves as the first point of contact for a patient's healthcare needs, providing general medical care and referring to specialists when necessary.

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• General Practitioner (GP): A medical doctor who provides primary care and treats a generally broader range of conditions than a specialist.

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• Family Medicine: A medical specialty focused on caring for individuals and families, emphasizing disease prevention and health promotion.

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• Internal Medicine: A medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases.

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• Pediatrics: The branch of medicine that deals with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.

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• Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN): The medical specialty that focuses on the female reproductive system and the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth.

 

• Preventive Care: Medical care that involves measures taken to prevent diseases (e.g., vaccinations, screenings, and lifestyle counseling).

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• Chronic Care Management: The coordination of care for patients who have multiple chronic conditions and require ongoing care to manage their diseases.

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• Acute Care: Short-term, intense medical care provided to prevent further illness or injury in pre-hospital settings (e.g., emergency medical technicians), emergency departments, intensive care medicine, and urgent care centers.

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• Wellness Visit: A routine check-up with a healthcare provider to assess overall health and update medical records, often including screenings and vaccinations.

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• Physical Examination: A routine check-up that involves a healthcare provider checking various parts of the body for signs of disease.

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• Diagnostic Tests: Medical tests performed to determine the presence or absence of a disease or condition.

 

• Referral: A recommendation by a primary care provider for a patient to see a specialist for further evaluation or treatment.

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• Coordination of Care: The process of managing a patient's treatment and services among different healthcare providers and settings to ensure continuity and quality of care.

 

• Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH): A model of primary care that provides comprehensive care and coordinates all aspects of care throughout the healthcare system.

 

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): A type of health insurance plan that provides coverage for healthcare services within a network of doctors and hospitals.

 

• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): A type of health insurance plan that offers more flexibility than an HMO but may have higher out-of-pocket costs.

 

• Elective Procedure: A medical procedure that is planned in advance and not urgent, such as certain surgeries or treatments that can be scheduled.

 

• Urgent Care: Immediate medical care for illnesses or injuries that are not life-threatening but require prompt attention.

 

• Emergency Care: Immediate medical care for life-threatening emergencies and injuries that require immediate attention.

 

• Prescription: A healthcare provider's written instruction for a patient to follow a specific treatment plan, often for medication.

 

• Over-the-Counter (OTC): Medications that can be purchased without a prescription.

 

• Vaccination: The administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection against a disease.

 

• Screening: The process of looking for disease in people who have no symptoms.

 

• Follow-Up Visit: A scheduled appointment after an initial visit or treatment to monitor the patient's condition and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.