Category: M

Medical information that has been evaluated by experts and converted into useful medical concepts and options. A medical laboratory technician trained in an associate degree (AD) program. An allied health professional for whom the American Medical Association’s Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) has accredited education programs.  

A California statute enacted in the mid-1970s which has been proposed as a model for malpractice reform. Its provisions include caps on noneconomic damages; elimination of joint and several liability, and instead hold defendants liable only in proportion to their degree of fault; offsets by awards from collateral sources; limits on statutes of limitations; and…

An allied health professional for whom the American Medical Association’s Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) has accredited education programs.  

A physician, usually employed by the hospital, who serves as the administrative head of the medical staff. “Medical director” tends to be the title for the chief of staff when that person is a paid hospital employee. The title may also be “vice president for medical affairs” or something similar. This term is discussed further…

At the specific order of or under the supervision of a physician. In the context of an emergency medical services system (EMS or EMSS), medical direction means physician responsibility for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the clinical aspects of the system. Physician input to and overseeing of policies, protocols, medical procedures, training, and quality…

A health care reform approach which would permit uninsured individuals to enroll in Medicaid by paying premiums on a sliding scale.  

A federal act passed in 1987 to fund health and social services for the homeless. Programs include physical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, housing, shelter, outreach, education, job training, and social services. Current funding provides services for only about 15% of the nation’s homeless.  

Limits for physician charge increases which were set by federal statute enacted in 1986. The statute applies only to physicians who are “non-participating” (that is, who have not agreed to accept the Medicare payment allowance as full payment). The limits apply to average charges, rather than charges for specific services; thus, compliance must be evaluated…

A program providing preventive and treatment services for pregnant women, mothers, and children. The services may include health education (often with particular attention to nutrition) and family planning. Funding may be from federal, state, or local sources. One source of funds has been the United States Maternal and Child Health Program under the Social Security…

A requirement that requires competent adults to make prospective choices as to what should be done under specified circumstances. This procedure has been suggested with regard to organ donation, since it has been found that most adults have not really considered whether or not they want to make their organs available for donation. Furthermore, a…