Understanding Healthcare Systems

PHS Ch. 2

facilities

places designed or built to serve a special function

diagnostic

pertaining to the determination of the nature of a disease or injury by examining

chronic

continuing over many years and for a long time

psychiatric

pertaining to the mind

geriatric

a branch of medicine that deals with the problems of old age and aging people

convalescence

the gradual recovery of health and strength after illness

ambulatory

serving patients who are able to walk

specialties

fields of study or professional work

outpatients

patients who do not require hospitalization but are under a physician's care

occupational therapy

helps to give people skills for the job of living satisfying lives, such as dealing with job-related injuries

recreational therapy

uses play and leisure activities to improve physical, cognitive, social, and emotional functioning; develop lifetime leisure skills

hydrotherapy

use of water to relieve discomfort and promote physical well-being

prosthetics

artificial parts made for the body

immunizations

substances given to make disease organisms harmless to the patients

rehabilitation

process that helps people who have been disabled by sickness or injury to recover as many of their original abilities for daily living as possible

communicable

capable of passing directly or indirectly from one person or thing to another

maternal

relating to the mother or from the mother

licensing

giving an agency or person permission to carry on certain activities and defining the activities they are authorized to do

environmental sanitation

methods used to keep the environment clean and to promote health

Podiatry

the diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders

hypertension

elevation of blood pressure

endowments

gifts of property or money given to a group or organization

managed care

healthcare plan or system that seeks to control medical costs by contracting a network of providers and by requiring preauthorization for visits to specialists

refer

to send to

audiology

study of hearing disorders

obstetrics

the branch of science concerned with childbirth

orthopedics

medical specialty concerned with correcting problems with the skeletal system

chiropractic

the method of adjusting segments of the spinal column

urology

study of urine and urinary organs in health and disease

therapeutic

pertaining to the treatment of disease or injury

subsidized

having partial financial support from a public fund

lawsuits

a legal action started by one person against another based on a complaint that the person failed to perform a legal duty

systems

coordinated bodies of methods and plans of procedure

legislature

a law or body of laws

bulk

a greater amount

intervention

act of interfering to modify an outcome

co-payment

a set amount the subscriber pays for each medical service

deductible

an amount the subscriber is required to pay before the insurance begins to pay

co-insurance

a percentage the subscriber is required to pay of every medical bill

benefits

payment and assistance based on an agreement

eligibility

the state of being qualified

preventive

intended to keep from happening

premium

the periodic payment to Medicare, an insurance company, or a health care plan for health care or prescription drug coverage

compensation

payment

HMO

requires primary care provider and focuses on lower costs

Medicaid

provides insurance for people who are blind, disabled, or low-income

Medicare

health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older

TriCare

health care program for active duty service members, retirees, and their families (military)

CHIP

Children's Health Insurance Program