Intro to Healthcare: Unit 1 Vocab

Affordable Care Act

law passed in 2010 for a major regulatory reform of US healthcare

Hippocratic Oath

a promise of professional behavior made by doctor beginning their careers; promises ethical and honest practice of the medical profession

caduceus

an emblem of medicine in the US

epidemic

an outbreak of a disease that affects many people and spreads rapidly

antibiotics

drugs that slow the growth of, or destroy bacteria, used to treat infections

vaccination

the use of medicines that contain weakened or dead bacteria or viruses to build immunity and prevent disease

quarantine

the process of isolating people who have been exposed to infectious or contagious diease

microscope

an instrument that uses a lens to magnify objects too small to be seen with the naked eye

anesthesia

loss of feeling with or without the loss of consciousness

pathogens

disease-producing microorganisms

pyschoanalysis

a method of analyzing and treating mental and emotional disorders through sessions in which the patient is encouraged to talk about personal experience and dreams

medicare

a federal health insurance program for persons 65 or older and disabled individuals

premium

the amount an insured person pays to his or her insurance company to maintain coverage

copayment

a fixed amount paid for covered health care service; usually when service is provided; amount varies depending on type of health insurance a person has

medicaid

a program jointly funded by state and federal taxes that provides medical aid for low-income individuals of all ages; managed by the states

worker’s compensation

a form of government insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits for employees injured at work

managed care

a general term for any healthcare plan that emphasizes wellness and provides healthcare through a network of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers

health maintenance organizations

managed care organizations that provide prepaid, comprehensive healthcare

preferred provider organizations

health insurance organizations that contract with a network of preferred providers from which the policyholder can choose

deductible

the amount you owe for covered healthcare services before your health insurance plan begins to pay

US public healthcare service

federal agency that dates back to the late 1700s whose mission is to promote public health

occupational safety and health administration (OSHA)

a government agency that creates regulations to prevent work related injuries, illnesses, and deaths

centers for disease control and prevention

a division of the united states department of health and human services that focuses on disease outbreaks and prevention in the us

food and drug administration

a government agency that regulates products in the food and drug industries and develops nutrition fact labels to help consumers make informed food choice

national institutes of health

a division of the department of health and human services that conducts research and provides information to promote and improve public health through 27 different agencies

world health organization

an agency of the united nations that is concerned with international public health

hospice

a type of care designed to relieve pain and reduce suffering in terminally ill patients

self-avocracy

refers to an individuals ability to effectively communicate, convey, negotiate, or asset his or her own interests, designers, needs, and rights