Right or permit to provide medical, dental, and other medical services to patients by a hospital facility within certain limits based on the physician’s education, professional license, experience, competence, ability, health, and judgment. Also called practice privileges.

Written plans or guidelines that specify procedures to be followed in performing a specific examination, treating certain injuries, conducting research, providing medical care for a particular condition, and evaluating appropriateness of certain procedures. Also known as medical protocols or protocols.

Health care professional that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide range of personality, mental, and behavioral disorders. Generally, clinical psychologists are state licensed and may practice independently. Many insurance companies pay for their services. However, they do not treat physical causes of mental disease with drugs or other medical or surgical treatments because they are not licensed to practice medicine. Also see psychologist.

Health care organization created by academic medical centers to integrate medical school, faculty practice plan, and hospital.

Individual who has obtained a degree in social work, met the requirements of being supervised in clinical social work, and obtained state licensure or certification. A CSW provides psychotherapy or counseling in many types of health care settings. Also referred to as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Employees in a medical practice who perform mainly clinical duties such as physician, physician assistant, clinical medical assistant, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse practitioner, and technicians.

Members of the clinical staff in a medical practice who provide assistance to the physician such as physician assistant, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, and technician.

One of the final stages of a long and careful research process to help patients live longer, healthier lives. Clinical trials help doctors and researchers find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases. They test new types of medical care such as how well a new cancer drug works and if it is safe. The trials may also be used to compare different treatments for the same condition to see which is better or to test new uses for treatments already employed.