| physical therapy | A physical therapist is a specialist trained using exercise and physical activities to condition muscles and improve level of activity. Physical therapy is helpful in those with physical debilitating illness (for example stroke). (27 Sep 1997) |
|---|---|
| physical therapy department, hospital | Hospital department which is responsible for the administration and provision of diagnostic and medical rehabilitation services to restore or improve the functional capacity of the patient. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physically | In a physical manner; according to the laws of nature or physics; by physical force; not morally. "I am not now treating physically of light or colours." (Locke) 2. According to the rules of medicine. "He that lives physically must live miserably." (Cheyne) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| physician | <specialist> In the UK it refers to a specialist in internal or general medicine. In the USA it is a more general term for a medical doctor. (31 Dec 1997) |
| physician assistant | A healthcare professional that is licensed to provide patient education, evaluation, a healthcare services. A physician assistant works along with the doctor to provide medical care to a group of patients. Also referred to as a pa. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician assistants | Persons academically trained, licensed, or credentialed to provide medical care under the supervision of a physician. The concept does not include nurses, but does include orthopedic assistants, surgeon's assistants, and assistants to other specialists. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician executives | Physicians who serve in a medical and administrative capacity as head of an organised medical staff and who also may serve as liaison for the medical staff with the administration and governing board. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician impairment | The physician's inability to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to the patient due to the physician's disability. Common causes include alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, physical disability, and senility. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician incentive plans | Compensatory plans designed to motivate physicians in relation to patient referral, physician recruitment, and efficient use of the health facility. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician payment review commission | A commission created by the consolidated omnibus reconciliation act of 1985, enacted in 1986, and given the mandate to advise congress on medicare-physician payment. The commission members are appointed by the u.s. Office of technology assessment. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician self-referral | Referral by physicians to testing or treatment facilities in which they have financial interest. The practice is regulated by the ethics in patient referrals act of 1989. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician's assistant | <specialist> A technician trained to administer certain procedures under the direct supervision of a physician. [american term] (05 Mar 2000) |
| physician's practice patterns | Patterns of practice related to diagnosis and treatment as especially influenced by cost of the service requested and provided. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician's role | The expected and characteristic behaviour of a physician as a member of the medical profession. (12 Dec 1998) |
| physician-nurse relations | The reciprocal interaction of physicians and nurses. (12 Dec 1998) |