primary care

care (kār) the services rendered by members of the health professions for the benefit of a patient.

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coronary care  see under unit.

critical care  see intensive care unit, under unit.

intensive care  see under unit.

primary care  the care a patient receives at first contact with the health care system, usually involving coordination of care and continuity over time.

respiratory care 

1. the health care profession providing, under a physician's supervision, diagnostic evaluation, therapy, monitoring, and rehabilitation of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.

2. respiratory therapy; the diagnostic and therapeutic use of medical gases and their apparatus, and other forms of ventilatory support including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

secondary care  treatment by specialists to whom a patient has been referred by primary care providers.

tertiary care  treatment given in a health care center that includes highly trained specialists and often advanced technology.

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primary care

n.

The initial medical care given by a health care provider to a patient, especially as part of regular, ambulatory care, and sometimes followed by referral to other medical providers.

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primary care,

the first contact in a given episode of illness that leads to a decision regarding a course of action to resolve the health problem. Primary care often is provided by a physician, but primary care functions are also provided by nurses.

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primary,

n a term indicating the first in time or the first in order in a series.

primary beam,

n See radiation, primary.

primary care,

n the first contact with a health care provider in a given episode of illness that leads to a decision regarding a course of action to resolve the health problem presented by the patient.

primary deficiency,

n the insufficient intake of dietary nutrients that may be due to such factors as illness, ignorance, economic status, fad diets, food preferences, overuse of convenience foods, or poor oral health.

primary dentin,

n the dentin produced after a tooth takes its position in the oral cavity but before the apical foramen is completed.

primary dentition,

n See dentition, primary.

primary fixation,

n the immediate postoperative fastening of an implant to bone by means of wires, screws, or a superstructure until, through natural healing and adhesion, final fixation occurs.

primary health care,

n a basic level of health care that includes programs directed at the promotion of health, early diagnosis of disease or disability, and prevention of disease.

primary intention healing,

n the healing of a wound directly at the incision site.

primary lymphoma of the brain,

n a secondary neoplasm associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

primary prevention,

n an action performed to preclude the development of a disease. See also primary health care and secondary prevention.

primary radiation,

n See radiation, primary.

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primary care

Medtalk Basic–ie, 'low tech' health care services that are coordinated, comprehensive and personal; PC is available on both a first-contact and continuous basis, and incorporates medical diagnosis and treatment, mental assessment and management, personal support, provision of information about illness, its prevention and health maintenance. See General practitioner, Internist, Primary care physician. Cf Hospital-based medicine, Medical specialties, RAPERs, Secondary care, Surgical specialties, Tertiary care.