method (redirected from difference method)

method /meth·od/ (meth´od) the manner of performing any act or operation; a procedure or technique.

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dye dilution method  a type of indicator dilution method for assessing flow through the circulatory system, using a dye as an indicator.

indicator dilution method  any of several methods for assessing flow through the circulatory system by injecting a known quantity of an indicator and monitoring its concentration over time at a specific point in the system.

Lamaze method  a method of preparing for delivery, involving education of the prospective mother in the physiology of pregnancy and parturition as well as in techniques such as breathing exercises and bearing down for the easing of delivery.

rhythm method  a method of preventing conception by restricting coitus to the so-called safe period, avoiding the days just before and after the expected time of ovulation.

Westergren method  the most common method for testing the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, measuring the timed fall of the level of red cells after mixing whole blood and sodium citrate anticoagulant-diluent solution.

Yuzpe method  a regimen for postcoital contraception, consisting of a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel taken twice, 12 hours apart.

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meth·od (mthd)

n.

1. A means or manner of procedure, especially a regular and systematic way of accomplishing something.

2. Orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end.

3. The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge.

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method,

n a systematized means for accomplishing a purpose.

method, active,

n an osteopathic manipulative technique in which the patient performs motions directed by the physician.

method, azeotrophic (·zēˑ·ō·trōˈ·fik meˑ·thd),

n a technique for processing glandular extracts in which the material is frozen, purified with a strong solvent, distilled, dried, and crushed into a powder.

method, combined,

n 1. an osteopathic treatment that begins with indirect movements and then switches to direct forces as the technique is completed.
2. an osteopathic treatment that combines two or more different techniques.

method, Cyriax,

n.pr a “pinching” technique developed by James Cyriax to promote stretching and relaxation of tissues and to decrease the amount of blood within the tissue.

method, energy diagnostic and treatment,

n psychotherapy practiced on the foundations of acupuncture meridian theory; also employs music, visualization, song, thought recognition, and core belief analysis to correct psychologic and psychoenergetic problems.

method, exaggeration,

n any osteopathic treatment in which the affected physical component is moved beyond the range of voluntary motion, away from the restrictive barrier, to a point where the patient feels increased tension.

method, Feldenkrais,

n.pr therapeutic learning approach in which participants learn functional movement and self-awareness through sensory experiences. Taught one-on-one and in large class settings. Helps participants discover natural, intuitive movement.

method, functional,

n an indirect osteopathic technique in which the physician locates the dynamic balance point, to which is applied one of the following techniques: applying indirect guiding force, holding the position, or exaggerating the position through added compression. This is done to decrease the sense of tissue resistance.

method, horn,

n in traditional Chinese medicine, therapeutic approach that involves warming the air inside a glass, metal, or wooden cup and inverting it over a part of the body to treat various health conditions; animal horns, from which the method derives its name, were used originally.

method, Krieger/Kunz,

n.pr the five-step, energy-based therapeutic method formerly called therapeutic touch. The five steps are centering (calming the self and client to a point of open readiness), assessment (discerning the symmetry of the energy fields surrounding the client), unruffling (the practitioner moves his hands in a clearing motion to the edges of the client's energy field), and directing and modulating energy (the practitioner channels and transfers energy to the client).

method, Mitchell,

n.pr a technique used for relaxation in which one assumes body postures opposite to those related to stress and anxiety.

method, Morrell,

n.pr a form of reflexology that emphasizes extremely light touch instead of applying deep pressure. Also called
Morrell Reflexology. See also reflexology.

method, multiglass,

n Hahnemann's process for developing homeopathic remedies; uses a clean glass receptacle for each successive dilution. See also potency, Hahnemannian; potency, Korsakov; and method, single glass.

method, negative affect–erasing (NAEM),

n a meridian-based procedure in which a patient is instructed by the practitioner to recall a traumatic event and then is systematically tapped on specific points of the body to resolve the trauma.

method, overall examination,

n in a pulse examination, a thorough diagnostic method that uses nine standard locations to examine the pulse. These nine locations consist of three points at each section of the body (upper—the head, center—the hands, and lower—the feet) and three points per section—one each for heaven, man, and earth. See also pulse examination.

method, passive,

n osteopathic technique in which the patient does not engage in any voluntary contraction of the muscles.

method, respiratory one,

n.pr a form of meditation in which participants repeat the word
one with each exhale. Used to create an awed relaxed state.

method, Rosen,

n.pr somatic education method created by Marion Rosen in which easy, deliberate body movements are set to music to improve flexibility, alignment, and range of motion. They also ease breathing, and deepen awareness of the body. May be performed individually, with partners, or in a circle.

method, salt precipitation,

n technique for processing glandular extracts in which the glandular material is soaked in salt and water and then separated into high-density, water-soluble material and low-density, fat-soluble material by centrifugation. The water-soluble material is then dried and crushed into a powder.

method, single-glass,

n procedure for developing potencies in one glass receptacle only. Fluxion is a form of this procedure. See also potency, Korsakov and fluxion.

method, three-section examination,

n in a pulse examination, a diagnostic method that is used in emergencies. The three points are the ren ying (near the Adam's apple), the cun kou (wrist pulse), and fu yang (instep) points. See also pulse examination.

methods, brief,

n.pl 1. relaxation techniques that can be used effectively with little or no practice. Deep breathing and paced respiration are examples.
2. in psychotherapy, abbreviated therapeutic approaches often used in crisis situations or when long-term therapy may be inappropriate.

methods, deep,

n.pl relaxation techniques that often take time and practice to cultivate. Autogenic training, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation are examples.

methods, four,

n.pl in Chinese traditional medicine, four diagnostic methods—inspection, olfaction, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation—used to collect patient information.

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method,

n a manner of performing an act or operation; a technique.

method, Callahan's,

n.pr See method, chloropercha.

method, Charters',

n.pr a method of toothbrushing in which the brush is held horizontally, with the bristles lying against the teeth and gingivae and pointed in a coronal direction at 45 degrees so that the bristles lie half on the teeth and half on the gingivae. A vibratory cycle of a very constricted diameter is negotiated so that the brush head moves in a circular movement but the brush bristles remain fairly stationary while being agitated. The circular vibration loosens debris and pumps the bristles into interproximal areas to massage the tissues.

method, chloropercha

(klō´rpur´ch),
n (Callahan's method, Johnston's method), the method of filling root canals in which gutta-percha cones are dissolved in a chloroform-rosin solution in the root canal. The canal is flooded with the chloroform solution. A preselected gutta-percha cone is then pumped carefully into and out of the canal. As the cone dissolves, the material is forced into the apex as a plastic mass. Other cones and occasionally additional chloroform solution are added until the canal is sealed.

method, Collis,

n a variation of toothbrushing that employs short, repetitive strokes with a Collis curved brush. Collis's brush design allows for brushing three surfaces of the tooth simultaneously. A 45° angle is used when brushing in and around the gingivae line. Favored by special needs patients, as well as parents and caretakers who perform the task of brushing for others. Also called
simultaneous sulcular.

method, Fones',

n.pr (Fones' technique), a toothbrushing technique in which, with the teeth occluded and with the brush at more or less right angles to the teeth, large sweeping, scrubbing circles are described. With the jaws parted, the palatal and lingual surfaces of the teeth are scrubbed using smaller circles. Occlusal surfaces are brushed in an anteroposterior direction.

method, Hirschfeld's,

n.pr a toothbrushing method in which the bristles are placed against the axial surfaces of the teeth, with slight incisal or occlusal inclination from a right-angled application, in simultaneous contact with teeth and gingivae, and then rotated in a circle of exceedingly small diameter. Occlusal surfaces are brushed energetically.

method, Howard's,

n.pr a method of artificial respiration. The patient is placed on the back, with the hands under the head, and a cushion is placed so that the head is lower than the abdomen. The physician applies rhythmic pressure upward and inward with the hands against the lower lateral parts of the patient's chest.

method, Howe's silver precipitation,

n.pr a method of depositing silver in enamel and dentin by the application of ammoniacal silver nitrate solution and its reduction with formalin or eugenol.

method, indirect restorative,

n the technique of fabrication of a restoration on a cast or model of the original (e.g., the indirect method of inlay construction, in which a die of amalgam or other material is made from an impression of the prepared tooth, a wax pattern is formed, and the cast inlay is fitted and finished on the die and then cemented to the tooth).

method, Johnston's,

n.pr See method, chloropercha.

method, lateral condensation,

n the method in which a preselected gutta-percha cone is sealed into the apex of the root. The balance of the space is filled with other gutta-percha cones forced laterally with a spreader.

method, Leonard,

n.pr a method of teeth cleaning that advocates a vigorous drawing of the toothbrush up and down across the teeth. The teeth are held apart, so that each section is brushed separately. Also known as
vertical toothbrushing.

method, modified Stillman,

n.pr a toothbrushing technique characterized by the placement of the toothbrush head against the gingiva, vibrating it, then rolling the bristles over the rest of the tooth's surface. Each stroke is repeated five times for each section of the oral cavity.

Modified Stillman method.

method, prebook,

n a method of scheduling appointments in which the patient schedules the next appointment while checking out from the current one. A reminder postcard is filled out at this time, to be mailed later, or an e-mail reminder is stored.

method, rolling stroke,

n a simple, introductory toothbrushing technique that does not include brushing of the gingival sulcus. Often taught to children as a precursor to the modified Stillman method, or as a preliminary framework for a more advanced technique incorporating vibration of the brush.

method, segmentation,

n the method in which a preselected gutta-percha cone is cut into segments. The tip section is sealed into the apex of the root. The other segments are usually warmed and condensed against the first piece with a plugger. Additional pieces are then used until the space is obliterated.

method, silver cone,

n the method in which a prefitted silver cone is sealed into the apex of the root canal. The space not sealed with the cone is obliterated with gutta-percha or sealer.

method, Smith's,

n.pr a toothbrushing technique referred to as physiologic, in which the brush strokes mimic the path taken by food when it is chewed.

method, SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan),

n an acronym for the method for making notes to the problem-oriented record in which S stands for subjective data obtained from the patient or family;
O refers to objective data acquired by observation, inspection, or testing;
A relates to the assessment of the patient's current situation and progress made throughout the course of treatment; and
P represents the actual patient care plan.

method, split cast,

n 1. a procedure for checking the ability of an articulator to receive or to be adjusted to a maxillomandibular relation record.
n 2. a procedure for indexing casts on an articulator to facilitate their removal and replacement on the instrument.

method, Stillman's,

n.pr a toothbrushing technique that incorporates gingival stimulation and dental cleansing, in which the toothbrush is held against both the gingival and the dental surfaces and manually vibrated.

method, sulcal

n a toothbrushing technique for controlling plaque involving placement of the bristles in the sulcus at an angle of 45° to the tooth's long axis and vibrating the bristles in a quick manner from side to side. Also called the
Bass method.

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method

procedure for carrying out a particular task, e.g. investigating a hypothesis.

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agreement method

when a particular factor is common to all occurrences of the disease, it may be that the common factor is the cause of the disease.

analogy method

when the circumstances of occurrence in one disease are similar to those in which another disease occurs, the diseases may come about in the same way even though the causes are different.

concomitant variation method

when variation in the frequency of the disease is mirrored by a similar variation in the strength of a particular agent which may be the cause.

difference method

when there are wide differences in the rate of occurrence of a disease and a high frequency is accompanied by the presence of the suspected cause and a low frequency by its absence.

nearest neighbor method

a method for establishing the population density of a particular species of animal or plant. One of the units is identified and the distance to its nearest neighbor of the same species measured. The number of units of that species in an area can then be established, the accuracy increasing with the number of measurements made.

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method Medtalk The manner in which a particular thing is performed. See Cold turkey method, Comparative method, Confidence profile method, Confirmation method, Contrast-enhanced method, Delphi method, Designated comparison method, Diary method, Direct fluorescent antibody method, Empirical method, Heuristic method, Immunoperoxidase method, Micro method, Natural experiment method, Parametric method, Pisano method, Reference method, Rhythm method, Sandwich method, Shotgun method, Socratic method, Street intercept method, Substitute method, Time sampling method, Unproven method for cancer management, Valid method, Validated method, Westergren method.