ATTENDING PHYSICIAN Meaning and
Definition
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An attending physician, also referred to as the primary care physician (PCP), is a medical doctor who has the primary responsibility for overseeing and coordinating the care of patients in a hospital or healthcare facility. This prominent role involves being directly responsible for managing and directing the comprehensive treatment of individuals under their care.
An attending physician assumes a key role in diagnosing, treating, and providing overall medical care to patients. They are responsible for making crucial medical decisions, prescribing treatment plans, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure a patient's well-being and recovery. Additionally, attending physicians review and interpret diagnostic test results, monitor patients’ progress, and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
Furthermore, an attending physician serves as a leader and educator within the hospital setting. They often supervise and mentor residents, medical students, and other members of the healthcare team, sharing their extensive knowledge and experience while promoting a culture of continuous learning.
The attending physician plays a pivotal role in fostering effective communication and collaboration among multidisciplinary healthcare teams, including specialists, nurses, and therapists. They are also responsible for liaising with patients and their families, providing them with medical updates, answering questions, and addressing concerns, contributing to a patient-centered approach to care.
In summary, an attending physician is a highly trained healthcare professional who assumes a central role in overseeing, coordinating, and providing medical care to patients. They bring together clinical expertise, leadership capabilities, and educational roles to ensure comprehensive and effective patient management.
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A physician attached to a hospital who visits the patients at stated times and gives directions to the house physician regarding their treatment.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ATTENDING PHYSICIAN
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Etymology of ATTENDING PHYSICIAN
The word "attending physician" has its etymology rooted in the Latin language. Let's break it down:
1. "Attend" comes from the Latin word "attendere" which literally means "to stretch towards". It consists of two parts: "ad", meaning "to" or "towards", and "tendere", meaning "to stretch" or "to direct one's course".
2. "Physician" is derived from the Latin word "physicus", which originally comes from the Greek word "phusikos" meaning "natural". In ancient Greek, it referred to someone skilled in the natural sciences and later evolved to particularly indicate a medical practitioner.
Therefore, the term "attending physician" combines "attend" (to stretch towards) and "physician" (a medical practitioner), indicating a doctor who is responsible for the overall care and treatment of a patient in a medical setting.
