Glossary
of Medical Terms
The
following is a list of terms to accurately describe provider specialties
and other medical terminology.
A-D
| E-H | I-O | P-Z
Acute
Care Hospital - A hospital that provides short-term
patient care.
Adolescent
Medicine - Medical treatment of a person during the period of life
from puberty to maturity.
Alcohol
and Drug Counseling - Specialized treatment for substance abuse
and chemical dependency.
Allergy/Immunology/Asthma
- Diagnosis and treatment of asthma, hay fever, eczema, other allergic
conditions, and the immune system.
Ambulatory
Surgery - An operative procedure which does not require the patient
to be hospitalized.
Anesthesiology
- Study and use of a drug to abolish the sensation of pain.
Audiology/Speech
Pathology - Diagnosis and treatment of hearing and speech that cannot
be improved by medication or surgery.
Cardiovascular
Diseases (Cardiology) - Diagnosis and medical treatment of diseases
and disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
Cardiovascular
Surgery - Surgical treatment of diseases and disorders of the heart
and blood vessels.
Child
& Adolescent Psychiatry - Diagnosis and treatment of mental
or emotional conditions, including substance abuse in children.
Chiropractic
- Restore normal function of the nervous system by manipulation and
treatment.
Critical
Care Surgery - Surgical treatment during a crisis.
Colon/Rectal
Surgery - Surgical treatment of disease of the colon and rectum.
Dermatology
- Specialized care for diseases and disorders of the skin.
Dermatologic
Surgery - Surgical treatment for diseases and disorders of the skin.
Ear,
Nose, and Throat - Diagnosis and treatment of diseases
and disorders of the ear, nose, and throat.
Emergency
Medicine - Diagnosis and treatment of a condition resulting from
an accident or other urgent need.
Endocrinology
- Specialized care for metabolic diseases and disorders such as diabetes.
Family
Counseling - Treatment of emotional disorder of a family unit.
Family
Practice - Primary medical care for all ages. Family practitioners
provide routine care for infants as well as adults.
Family
Planning - The use of birth control measures designed to regulate
the number and spacing of children in a family.
Gastroenterology
- Specialized care of disorders of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract including
the stomach and intestines.
General
Practice - Diagnosis and treatment for medical care of all ages.
General
Surgery - Diagnosis and surgical treatment of disease and injury.
Genetics
- The study of heredity.
Geriatric
Medicine - Diagnosis and treatment of problems of the elderly.
Head
and Neck Surgery - Surgery of the head and neck, related to the
treatment of diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat.
Hematology
- Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the blood.
Home
Health Care - Medical treatment performed in the patientˇs home.
Hospice - Medical treatment performed for a terminally ill patient,
usually in the patient's home.
Infectious
Diseases - Specialized diagnosis and treatment
for unusual bacterial, viral and communicable diseases.
Internal
Medicine (General) - Diagnosis and treatment for general care of
adult patients. Internists may specialize in primary care or in medical
treatment of diseases or disorders of all internal organs.
Mental
Health - The psychological condition of the mind.
Neonatology
- Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the newborn infant.
Nephrology
- Specialized care and treatment for diseases and disorders of the kidneys.
Neurology
- Specialized care for diseases and disorders of the brain and nervous
system.
Neurosurgery
- Surgical treatment of diseases and disorders of the brain and nervous
system.
Obstetrics/Gynecology
- Management and care of pregnancy and childbirth / medical and
surgical care involving the female reproductive system.
Occupational
Medicine - Care and treatment of work related illness or on-the-job
accident or injury.
Oncology
- Specialized diagnosis and treatment of tumors, primarily cancerous.
Ophthalmology
- Treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye.
Optometry
- Professional examination and treatment of the eye for defects and
faults of refraction.
Oral
Surgery - Surgery and treatment of face and jaw disorders.
Organ
Transplantation Surgery - Surgical grafting of tissues or organs
taken from the same or another body.
Orthopedic
Medicine - Medical treatment for disorders, diseases, and injuries
involving bones, joints, and tendons.
Orthopedic
Surgery - Surgical treatment for diseases, disorders and injuries
involving bones, joints, and tendons.
Otorhinolaryngology
(See- Ear, Nose, and Throat)
Pathology
- Study of the essential nature of disease, especially of the structural
and functional changes in tissues/organs of the body which cause or
are caused by disease.
Pediatrics
- Treatment of diseases and disorders of children.
Pediatric
Cardiology - Diagnosis and medical treatment of diseases and disorders
of the heart and blood vessels in children.
Perinatology
- Specialized management of a high-risk pregnancy before and after
birth.
Physical
Therapy - Treatment for medical disorders using physical or mechanical
therapeutic measures.
Plastic/Reconstructive
and Hand Surgery - Surgical treatment for restoration of function
or for cosmetic purposes.
Podiatry
- Medical and surgical treatment of the foot.
Preventative
Medicine - Behavior which serves to deter the occurrence of an
adverse condition or disease.
Psychiatry
- Diagnosis and treatment of mental or emotional conditions, including
substance abuse.
Psychology
- Specialized treatment of mental or emotional disorders, including
substance abuse, by Ph.D. clinical psychologists.
Psychotherapy
- Treatment of behavioral or emotional disorders designed to produce
a response by mental rather than by physical effects.
Pulmonary
Medicine - Diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of
the lungs.
Radiation
Oncology - Treatment of tumors by electro-magnetic rays.
Radiology
- Specialized use of radiant energy, such as X-rays and radium, for
the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Rehabilitation/Physical
Medicine - Diagnosis and treatment using physical therapy and mechanical
devices in the rehabilitation following injury or disease.
Relapse
Prevention - Treatment which serves to deter the reoccurrence of
an adverse condition.
Reproductive
Endocrinology and Fertility - The study and treatment of disorders
of the endocrine system and its role in the inability of the body to
conceive offspring.
Rheumatology
- Specialized care and treatment for arthritis, rheumatism, and related
diseases.
Sleep
Disorders - Diagnosis and treatment of an abnormality which disturbs
and prevents the body and mind from acquiring a period of rest.
Social
Work - Specialized treatment of mental or emotional disorders, including
substance abuse.
Sports
Medicine - Medical and non-surgical treatment of an illness or injury
which occurs as a result of a recreational activity.
Thoracic
Surgery - Surgery of diseases of the chest cavity (excluding heart).
Ultrasound
- Use of high-frequency sound waves for diagnosis and treatment.
Urological
Surgery - An operative procedure involving the urinary tract in
both male and female, and the genital organs in the male.
Urology
- Specialized care for diseases, disorders, and conditions of the urinary
tract, bladder, prostate gland, and kidneys.
Vascular
Surgery - Surgical treatment for diseases of the circulatory system.
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