Description of an activity or practice that may result in favorable outcomes for patients with a specific disease. A clinical pathway uses defined resources to keep costs down. It may be based on research, literature, or common practice. Also called critical pathway, practice guideline, or treatment protocol.

This is a method or instrument to estimate or monitor the extent to which the actions of a health care practitioner or provider conform to practice guidelines, medical review criteria, or standards of quality.

Reports written by experts who have carefully studied whether a treatment works and which patients are most likely to be helped by it.

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.