Lists Glossary

Glossary

 

Abdominal Surgery	The abdomen is the part of the body cavity below the chest from which it is separated by the diaphragm.  The abdomen contains the organs of digestion - stomach, liver, intestines, etc, - and excretion - kidneys, bladder, etc.; in women it also contains the ovaries and womb.
Adolescent Medicine	Adolescent medicine specialises in the period of development between childhood and adulthood.  Typically, from puberty to the end of the “teens”.
Allergy	Allergy is a disorder in which the body becomes hypersensitive to particular antigens (called allergens), which provoke characteristic symptoms whenever they are subsequently encountered, whether inhaled, ingested, injected or otherwise contacted.
Anaesthetics	An anaesthetist is a medically qualified doctor who administers an anaesthetic to induce unconsciousness in a patient before a surgical operation.
Anatomical Pathology	Anatomical pathology is the study of the structural changes which can be seen in diseased organs, tissues or parts of the body.
Australian Medical Association	Australia's premier doctor organisation- doctors belong as members
Aviation Medicine	Aviation medicine specialists typically work for the Air force, Civil Aviation or the commercial airlines.
Biomedical Engineering	Deals with the design and manufacture of high technology equipment for hospitals and as aids to the function of the human body.  Examples of this are pacemakers and cochlear implants.
Cardiology	Cardiology is the science concerned with the study of the structure, function and diseases of the heart.
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery	Cardiology is the science concerned with the study of the structure, function and diseases of the heart. The thorax is the chest.
Career Medical Officer	A Career Medical Officer is a doctor that has chosen to remain in the hospital system as his chosen career path.
Child Psychiatry	Child Psychiatry is the study of mental disorders in children, and their diagnosis, management, and prevention.
Chiropractor	A person who treats diseases by manipulation- mainly the vertebrae of the backbone
Clinical Haematology	Clinical medicine is the branch of medicine dealing with the study of actual patients and the diagnosis and treatment of disease at the bed-side, as opposed to the study of the disease by pathology or other laboratory work. Haematology is the study of blood and blood-forming tissues and the disorders associated with them.
Clinical Pathology	Pathology is the study of disease processes with the aim of understanding their nature and causes.  This is achieved by observing samples of blood, urine, faeces, and diseased tissue obtained from the living patient or at autopsy, by the use of X-rays, or by many other techniques. Chemical pathology concentrates on the biochemical aspects and looks for deviations from the normal range of a whole series of chemical compounds normally found in the body.
Clinical Pharmacology	Pharmacology is the science of drugs and their effect on the body
Cytopathology	Cytology is the study of the structure and function of cells.  The examination of cells under a microscope is used in the diagnosis of various diseases.  These cells are usually obtained by scraping an organ as in cervical cytology or collected from already shed (exfoliative cytology).
Databasing	The keying into a database of names addresses and orders
Deliverable Rate	The number of addresses out of 100 that are correct & mail will be successfully delivered to
Dermatology	Dermatology is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders
Diabetes Educator	Trained health professional who educates patients & other professionals on diabetes management
Diabetes Mellitus	Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism in which sugars in the body are not oxidised to produced energy due to lack of the pancreatic hormone insulin.  The accumulation of sugar leads to its appearance in the blood (hyperglycaemia), then in the urine; symptoms include thirst, weight loss, and the excessive production of urine.
Diagnostic Ultrasound	Ultrasound (ultrasonics or ultrasonic waves) are used two ways in medicine.  It is used diagnostically in such techniques as echo-encephalography, biometry and measurement of the foetus.  It is used therapeutically, for example, in the removal of scar tissue
Electronic	Delivery of a file via email or the web
Emergency Medicine	Emergency Medicine deals with patients that require immediate treatment.  The condition may or may not be life threatening but immediate action is required.
Endocrinology	Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine glands and the substances they secrete (Hormones).
Epidemiology	Epidemiology is the study of epidemic disease, with a view to finding means of control and future prevention.  This not only applies to the study of classical epidemics as plague, smallpox, and cholera but also includes all forms of disease that relate to the environment and ways of life.  It thus includes the study of the links between smoking and cancer, and diet and coronary disease, as well as communicable diseases.
Family Medicine	A family medicine practitioner  is a doctor through whom patients make first contact with health services for a new episode of illness or fresh developments of chronic diseases.  Advise and treatment are provided for those who do not require the expertise of a specialist or hospitalisation.
Fields of Practice (FOP)	A doctor's sub-specialisation e.g GP with sub-specialisation in womens health
Forensic Pathology	Forensic medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with the scientific investigation of the causes of injury and death in unexplained circumstances, particularly when criminal activity is suspected.  Such investigations are carried out by a Pathologist at the request of a coroner, in conjunction with other experts and police investigators.
Fulfilment	The fulfilling of orders or requests back to health professionals or patients- can be drug samples, literature, educational materials, support materials
Gastroenterology	Gastroenterology is the study of gastrointestinal disease, which includes disease of any part of the digestive tract and also of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas
General Physician	A General Physician is a specialist medical practitioner who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of disease by other than surgical means.  The General Physician looks at all systems of the body.  He specialises in diseases that effect the whole body.
General Practitioner	A General Practitioner (GP) is a doctor through whom patients make first contact with health services for a new episode of illness or fresh developments of chronic diseases.
Genetics	Genetics is the science of inheritance.  It attempts to explain the differences and similarities between related organisms and the ways in which characters are passed from parents to their offspring.  Human and medical genetics are concerned with the study of inherited diseases.
Geriatrics	Geriatrics is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that occur in old age and with the care of the aged.
Gerontology	Related to Geriatrics is Gerontology.  Gerontology is the study of the changes in the mind and body that accompany ageing and the problems associated with them
Gynaecologic Oncology	Gynaecology is the study of diseases of women and girls, particularly those affecting the reproductive system.  Oncology is the study and practice of treating tumours.
Gynaecology	The study of diseases of women and girls, particularly those affecting the reproductive system.
Haematology	Haematology is the study of blood and blood-forming tissues and the disorders associated with them.
Immunology	Immunology is the study of immunity and all of the phenomena connected with the defence mechanisms of the body
Infectious Diseases	Other common terms used are Communicable and contagious diseases.  An infectious disease is any disease that can be transmitted from one person to another.  This may occur by direct physical contact, by common handling of an object that has picked up infective microorganisms through a disease carrier, or by spread of infected droplets coughed or exhaled into the air.  The most dangerous communicable diseases are on a list of notifiable diseases.
Intensive Care	Intensive care (intensive therapy) is usually provided in a special unit equipped for the concentrated medical attention and extra nursing facilities needed for gravely ill patients from any of the clinical departments, particularly, immediately after serious major operations; in cases of severe shock following multiple injuries or other cause; cerebral compression; cardiac, respiratory, renal and liver failure; drug overdose; near drowning etc.
Intern	A doctor in training is predominantly a doctor who has recently qualified with a basic MBBS etc. An Internship lasts for one year.
MasterLink	User-friendly software on CD-ROM to store, manage and manipulate healthcare list data
Medical Administration	Medical Administration specialists tend to be in the hospital system or in the peripheral medical services such as the Red Cross, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Veteran Affairs, etc..
Medical Directory of Australia	Australia's most comprehensive directory/listing of doctors & other healthcare professionals
Medical Disciplines	The specialisation that a doctor undertook at medical school
Medical Journal of Australia	Australia's premier peer-reviewed clinical journal for doctors
Medical Oncology	Oncology is the study and practice of treating tumours.  It is often subdivided into medical, surgical, and radiation oncology.
Medico-Legal	This is an area that can be broken into two areas.  The first is doctors who have furthered their education with a LLB etc. and are now specialising in the law and how it relates to medicine, mainly working for legal firms and the government.  Secondly we have the “Expert Witness”.  There is currently a push to have expert witnesses accredited with their respective specialist bodies.
Microbiology	Microbiology is the science of microorganisms.  Microbiology in relation to medicine is concerned with the isolation and identification of the microorganisms that cause disease.
Neonatal Medicine	Neonatal medicine deals with new born babies and the first four weeks of their life
Neurology	Neurology is the study of the structure, functioning, and diseases of the nervous system (including the brain, spinal cord, and all the peripheral nerves).
Neurology	Neurology is the study of the structure, functioning, and diseases of the nervous system (including the brain, spinal cord, and all the peripheral nerves).
Non Medical Interest	A doctor's every day interests e.g. reading, finance, sports, wine, computers, travel etc
Non Medical interest	A doctor's interests in things non-medical e.g. cars, wine, travel, finance
Nuclear Medicine	Nuclear medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with the use of radionuclides in the study and diagnosis of diseases of organs within the body, particularly of the heart.  A radionuclide is a radioactive substance that emits gamma rays, enabling a gamma camera and computer to form an image of the organ under examination
Obstetrics & Gynaecology	The branch of medicine concerned with the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period of about six weeks following the birth, when the reproductive organs are recovering.
Occupational Medicine	An occupational disease is any one of various specific diseases to which workers in certain occupations are particularly prone.  Industrial diseases, associated with a particular industry or group of industries, fall within this category.  Examples of such diseases include the various forms of pneumoconiosis, which affect the lungs of workers continually exposed to dusty atmospheres;
Ophthalmology	Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that is devoted to the study and treatment of eye diseases and refractive errors of the eye
Oral Maxillofacial	Oral  - belonging to the mouth. Maxillofacial - describing  the region of the face, jaws, and related structures
Orthopaedics	Orthopaedics is the science or practice of correcting deformities caused by disease of or damage to the bones and joints of the skeleton.  This specialised branch of medicine may require the use of surgery, manipulation, traction, or special apparatus.
Otorhinolaryngology	Otorhinolaryngology is the study of ear, nose and throat diseases.
Paediatrics	Paediatrics is the general medicine of childhood.  Handling the sick child requires a special approach at every age from birth to adolescence and also a proper understanding of parents.  It also requires a detailed knowledge of genetics, obstetrics, psychological development, management of handicaps at home and in school, and effects of social conditions on child health.
Palliative Care	A Palliative is a medicine that gives temporary relief from the symptoms of the disease but does not actually cure the disease.  Palliatives are often used in the treatment of such diseases as cancer.
Pathology	Pathology is the study of disease processes with the aim of understanding their nature and causes.  This is achieved by observing samples of blood, urine, faeces, and diseased tissue obtained from the living patient or at autopsy, by the use of X-rays, or by many other techniques.
Pharmacology	Pharmacology is the science of drugs and their effect on the body.
Physical Medicine	Physical medicine is a medical specialty established by the Royal Society of Medicine in 1931.  Initially the members pioneered clinics devoted to the diagnosis and management of rheumatic diseases, but later extended their interests to the rehabilitation of patients with physical disabilities ranging from asthma and hand injuries to back trouble and polio myelitis
Physiology	Physiology is the science of the functioning of living organisms and their component parts
Plastic & Reconstructive	Plastic surgery is a branch of surgery dealing with the reconstruction of deformed or damaged parts of the body.  It also includes the replacement of parts of the body that have been lost.  If performed simply to improve appearances plastic surgery is called cosmetic surgery, but most plastic surgery involves the treatment and repair of burns or accidents and the correction of congenital defects, hair lip and cleft palate.
Surgery
Practice Manager	Person who manages the busines running of a medical practice- often a nurse
Practice Nurse	A Nurse who works in a medical practice- as distinct from working in a hospital
Preferred Mail Address	The doctor's stated preference for where he/she wants her mail sent- can be to practice, home PO Box
Psychiatry	Psychiatry is the study of mental disorders and their diagnosis, management, and prevention.
Public Health	Public Health is a branch of medicine concerned with assessing the needs and trends in health and disease of populations as distinct from individuals.
Radiation Oncology	Radiology is the branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiation, including X-rays, and radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Oncology is the study and practice of treating tumours.  It is often subdivided into medical, surgical, and radiation oncology.
Radiology	Radiology is the branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiation, including X-rays, and radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Rehabilitation	Rehabilitation is basically any means for restoring the independence of a patient after disease or injury, including employment retraining.
Renal Medicine	Renal medicine is the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders associated with the kidneys.
Respiratory Medicine	Respiratory medicine deals with diseases of the chest.
Rheumatology	Rheumatology is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and management of disease involving joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and associated structures
RMO	A doctor in training is predominantly a doctor who has recently qualified with a basic MBBS. A doctor can be an RMO for between one and four years.
Tropical Medicine	Tropical medicine is the study of diseases more commonly found in tropical regions than elsewhere, such as malaria, trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis and leishmaniasis.
Urology	Urology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of diseases of the urinary tract.
Vascular	Vascular is relating to or supplied with blood vessels.
Venereology	Sexually transmitted disease (STD) is any disease transmitted by sexual intercourse, formerly known as venereal disease.  STDs include AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhoea, genital herpes, NSU etc.
Virology	Virology is basically the science of viruses.