Care & Treatment Language
Clarification of medical terms patients often hear in appointments
1. Diagnosis vs. Differential Diagnosis- A diagnosis is the condition a doctor determines a patient has, while a differential diagnosis is the list of possible conditions being considered before confirming the final diagnosis.
2. Clinical Guidelines- Recommendations based on medical research that help doctors decide how to diagnose and treat certain conditions.
3. Specialty Care- Medical care provided by doctors who focus on a specific area of medicine, such as lung, heart, or cancer care.
4. Referral-When a primary doctor directs a patient to see a specialist or receive specific services. If you have an HMO plan, you will need a referral from your primary care physician to see a specialist.
5. Care Coordination- The process of organizing care among multiple doctors or services to make sure treatment is consistent and well managed
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6. Palliative Care vs. Hospice- Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life at any stage of serious illness, while hospice care is for patients nearing the end of life when treatment is no longer aimed at curing the illness.
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7. Chronic condition- A long-term illness requiring ongoing care.
8. Acute condition- A condition that appears suddenly and usually lasts a short time.
9. Treatment plan - A doctor’s recommended course of care.
10. Second opinion- Consulting another doctor to confirm or reconsider a diagnosis or treatment
11. Telehealth- Medical care provided through video or phone visits.
Hospice Care vs. Palliative Care
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does my Doctor sometimes mention multiple diagnoses during my appointment?
Doctors often consider multiple possible causes for symptoms before confirming a final diagnosis. This process, called a differential diagnosis, helps ensure the correct condition is identified.
2. Why do I need a referral to see a specialist?
Some insurance plans, like an HMO plan, require your primary doctor to approve specialist visits to coordinate care. This is also one way health insurance companies try to control health spending.
3. What does it mean when my doctor follows “clinical guidelines”?
Clinical guidelines are research-based recommendations that help Doctors choose treatments shown to work safely and effectively for patients with similar/the same symptoms
4. Why am I seeing so many different doctors?
Patients with complex or chronic conditions often need multiple specialists, and care coordination helps ensure these providers work together.
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5. Can I ask for a second opinion?
Yes. Patients can request another doctor’s opinion if they want confirmation or alternative treatment options.
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6. What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
Palliative care helps manage symptoms at any stage of serious illness, while hospice care focuses on comfort when treatment is no longer aimed at curing the disease.
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7.​Why does my treatment plan sometimes change?
Treatment plans may change if new symptoms develop, test results change, or a treatment is not working as expected.