Category: T

Evaluation of a product to see whether and how well it serves its intended purpose. The term is often used in referring to evaluation of questionnaires or software, for example. Such products are usually subjected to two rounds of testing after their initial development. These two rounds are referred to as “alpha testing” and “beta…

Relating to or at the end. A terminal illness is one expected to cause death, and for which there is no known or available cure.    

A conference held via telecommunication equipment among individuals who are physically separated (perhaps by thousands of miles). Ordinarily the individuals all participate in the “conversation” interactively, that is, each in response to the input of the others. Telecommunication equipment includes computers (or computer terminals), telephones, and television. In the health care field, one of the…

A person who is in charge of telecommunications.  

The hospital department responsible for telecommunications.  

Pertaining to the technical aspects of telephones, computer wiring (intra- and inter-building), intercommunication radio, paging, and other communications systems and networks (excluding computer networks). Traditionally thought of as dealing with voice communications, an increasing amount of computer data (including faxes and multimedia) now flows over telephone lines, blurring any possible distinctions between voice and data.…

A person skilled in the application of knowledge for practical purposes. A technician is a specialist in the technical details of a process or subject. The distinction between the terms “technician” and “technologist” is not clear, particularly when they are used in the health care field. An individual specializing in the application of scientific knowledge…

The way that federal law treats health benefits for employees. They have been treated as tax-deductible business expenses for the employer, rather than taxable income to the employee. This practice results in far lower tax revenue for the government.  

A1982 federal act which, among other things, permitted HCFA to enter into risk contracts with HMOs and CMPs, to pay for hospice care, and to extend coverage for ancillary services. It also prohibited employers from keeping employees ages 65 to 69 from participating in the employer’s health plan and requiring them to use Medicare instead.…

The body created by President Clinton in January 1993, chaired by Hillary Rodham Clinton, with the charge to “listen to all parties and prepare health care reform legislation . . .” It reported that in its deliberations it met with health care providers, consumers, business, and labor groups, including physician groups, nurses groups, hospitals, medical…