| USPHS | United States Public Health Service |
|---|---|
| AAPHD | American Association of Public Health Dentists |
| AAPHP | American Association of Public Health Physicians |
| ABDPH | American Board of Dental Public Health |
| APHA | American Protestant Hospital Association; American Public Health Association |
| practice | 1. Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise. 2. Customary or constant use; state of being used. "Obsolete words may be revived when they are more sounding or more significant than those in practice." (Dryden) 3. Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice in music. 4. Application of science to the wants of men; the exercise of any profession; professional business; as, the practice of medicine or law; a large or lucrative practice. "Practice is exercise of an art, or the application of a science in life, which application is itself an art." (Sir W. Hamilton) 5. To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually; to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming. "Incline not my heart . . . Practice wicked works." 6. To exercise, or follow, as a profession, trade, art, etc, as, to practice law or medicine. 7. To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the piano. Performance of an act one or more times, with a view to its fixation or improvement; any performance of an act or behaviour that leads to learning. 8. To learn by practice; to form a habit. "They shall practice how to live secure." (Milton) "Practice first over yourself to reign." (Waller) 9. To apply theoretical science or knowledge, especially. By way of experiment; to exercise or pursue an employment or profession, esp. That of medicine or of law. "[I am] little inclined to practice on others, and as little that others should practice on me." (Sir W. Temple) Origin: OE. Praktike, practique, F. Pratique, formerly also, practique, LL. Practica, fr. Gr, fr. Practical. See Practical, and cf. Pratique, Pretty. Source: Websters Dictionary (04 Jul 1999) |
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| practice guideline | A set of directions or principles to assist the health care practitioner with patient care decisions about appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic, or other clinical procedures for specific clinical circumstances. Practice guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, organizations such as professional societies or governing boards, or by the convening of expert panels. They can provide a foundation for assessing and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of health care in terms of measuring improved health, reduction of variation in services or procedures performed, and reduction of variation in outcomes of health care delivered. (12 Dec 1998) |
| private practice | Practice of a health profession by an individual, offering services on a person-to-person basis, as opposed to group or partnership practice. (12 Dec 1998) |
| professional practice | The use of one's knowledge in a particular profession. It includes, in the case of the field of biomedicine, professional activities related to health care and the actual performance of the duties related to the provision of health care. (12 Dec 1998) |
| professional practice location | Geographic area in which a professional person practices; includes primarily physicians and dentists. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hospitals, group practice | Hospitals organised and controlled by a group of physicians who practice together and provide each other with mutual support. (12 Dec 1998) |
| nursing faculty practice | Clinical practice by members of the nursing faculty in order to maintain a balance in their nursing activities--clinical, education, and research. (12 Dec 1998) |
| dentist's practice patterns | Patterns of practice in dentistry related to diagnosis and treatment. (12 Dec 1998) |
| independent practice associations | A partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity that enters into an arrangement for the provision of services with persons who are licensed to practice medicine, osteopathy, and dentistry, and with other care personnel. Under an ipa arrangement, licensed professional persons provide services through the entity in accordance with a mutually accepted compensation arrangement, while retaining their private practices. Services under the ipa are marketed through a prepaid health plan. (12 Dec 1998) |
| institutional practice | Professional practice as an employee or contractee of a health care institution. (12 Dec 1998) |
| intramural practice | Delivery of health care services by university faculties or full-time hospital staff conducted within the physical confines of their respective medical centres. (05 Mar 2000) |
| extramural practice | Delivery of health care services by university faculties or full-time hospital staff to persons beyond the physical confines of their respective medical centres. (05 Mar 2000) |
| family practice | A medical specialty concerned with the provision of continuing, comprehensive primary health care for the entire family. (12 Dec 1998) |
| family practice physician | <specialist> A physician expert in the management of a wide scope of health problems in adults and children. Once referred to as a general practitioner or family physician. (27 Sep 1997) |
| knowledge, attitudes, practice | Knowledge, attitudes, and associated behaviours which pertain to health-related events such as procedures, diseases, or family planning. (12 Dec 1998) |