Clinical practice
Clinical Practice
Clinical practice (/ˈklɪnɪkəl ˈpræktɪs/) refers to the process by which healthcare professionals provide medical care to patients in a healthcare setting.
Etymology
The term "clinical" is derived from the Greek word "klinikos", which means "bed". This refers to the practice of caring for patients who are bedridden. "Practice" comes from the Old French "practiser", which means "to practice".
Definition
In a broad sense, clinical practice involves the observation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in patients. It is carried out by healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and therapists who have direct contact with patients. The practice is guided by established medical guidelines and ethical standards.
Related Terms
- Clinical Practice Guidelines: These are statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care. They are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.
- Clinical Practice Research Datalink: This is a large, anonymized database that contains data from many primary care practices in the UK. It is a valuable resource for researchers conducting studies in the field of clinical practice.
- Evidence-Based Practice: This is a clinical practice approach that emphasizes the use of evidence from well-designed and conducted research in healthcare decision-making.
- Best Practice: This is a method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to those achieved with other means, and that is used as a benchmark.
See Also
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