Independent

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Independent

Independent (pronunciation: /ˌɪndɪˈpɛndənt/) is a term used in various fields of medicine to describe a state or condition where an individual or a system operates without any external influence or control.

Etymology

The term 'independent' originates from the Latin word 'independens', which is a combination of 'in' meaning 'not' and 'dependere' meaning 'to hang from'.

In Medicine

In the field of medicine, 'independent' is often used to describe a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living without assistance, such as walking, eating, and bathing. It can also refer to a medical condition or symptom that is not influenced by any other condition or symptom.

For example, in geriatric medicine, an 'independent' elderly person is one who can perform all their daily activities without any help. In epidemiology, an 'independent' variable is one that is not affected by any other variables in the study.

Related Terms

  • Dependent: The opposite of independent, refers to a state where an individual or a system relies on external factors or assistance.
  • Autonomy: A related concept in medicine, referring to the patient's right to make decisions about their own healthcare.
  • Self-care: The ability of individuals to manage their own health and wellbeing, often used interchangeably with 'independence' in a medical context.

External links

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