Dictionary of Evidence-based Medicine.pdf
Dictionary of Evidence-based Medicine.pdf
Dictionary of Evidence-based Medicine.pdf
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Dictionary</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Evidence</strong>-<strong>based</strong> <strong>Medicine</strong> 99<br />
Medicaid<br />
A health care programme introduced in the USA in 1965 to reduce financial<br />
barriers to health care for certain low-income groups, with funding<br />
being provided jointly by the state and federal governments. The programme<br />
is administered independently by the individual states within<br />
broad federal guidelines (see also Oregon plan, an attempt by Oregon State<br />
to use cost benefit analysis to reform its programme).<br />
Medical informatics<br />
Medical informatics is the use and study <strong>of</strong> information science and<br />
technology in the delivery <strong>of</strong> health care. It calls upon other disciplines<br />
including mathematics, statistics, psychology, linguistics and philosophy.<br />
There is growing realization that to practise evidence-<strong>based</strong> medicine,<br />
practitioners need to acquire the ability to identify gaps in their knowledge<br />
and the means and skills to bridge those gaps. Given the explosion <strong>of</strong> medical<br />
information, the use <strong>of</strong> the best information science and technology to<br />
access the data efficiently is deemed to be essential by an increasing number<br />
<strong>of</strong> educationalists and policy makers.<br />
Medical review criteria<br />
Medical review criteria are systematically developed statements that<br />
can be used to assess the appropriateness <strong>of</strong> specific health care decisions,<br />
services and outcomes (Field MJ, Lohr KN (eds) (1990) Clinical<br />
practice guidelines. Directions for a new program. National Academy Press,<br />
Washington DC).<br />
Medicare<br />
A US federal government health insurance program introduced in 1965 to<br />
cater for individuals aged 65 and over and some groups <strong>of</strong> people with<br />
disabilities, notably patients requiring renal dialysis. As the US population<br />
ages, more resources are being consumed by this component <strong>of</strong> the health<br />
care system.<br />
Medicinal product<br />
A medicinal product is defined as (i) any substance or combination <strong>of</strong><br />
substances presented for treating or preventing disease in human beings<br />
or animals or (ii) any substance or combination <strong>of</strong> substances which<br />
may be administered to human beings or animals with a view to making a