The spelling of the word epicrisis may seem puzzling to some, but it follows a consistent phonetic logic. The word is pronounced /ɛpɪˈkraɪsɪs/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is pronounced with a short e sound and the second syllable with a long i sound, followed by a stress on the final syllable. Despite its unusual spelling, epicrisis is a commonly used medical term that refers to the final summary and evaluation of a patient's medical history and treatment plan.
Epicrisis is a noun derived from the Greek word "epikrisis" meaning "judgment" or "decision." This term is primarily used in the field of medicine and refers to the final and comprehensive evaluation and summary of a patient's medical history, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. It serves as a concluding or retrospective report, typically created by a specialist or consultant, which provides a detailed analysis of a patient's condition at the end of a specific period of medical care.
The aim of an epicrisis is to provide a concise yet detailed overview of the patient's medical journey, highlighting significant events, treatments administered, response to interventions, and any changes in the prognosis. This report plays a crucial role in ensuring continuity of care, as it allows healthcare professionals involved in the patient's treatment to have a comprehensive understanding of the medical course, reducing the risk of miscommunication or errors in subsequent medical interventions.
In addition to providing a summary of the patient's medical history, an epicrisis may also include recommendations for follow-up care, adjustments to the treatment plan, or suggestions for further investigations. It is an essential document for maintaining accurate medical records, facilitating information transfer between healthcare providers, and aiding in research, quality improvement initiatives, and medical audits.
Overall, an epicrisis serves as a vital tool in healthcare, ensuring efficient communication, well-informed decision-making, and the provision of optimal care to patients.
A secondary crisis; a crisis terminating a recrudescence of morbid symptoms following a primary crisis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "epicrisis" originated from the Ancient Greek word "epikrisis" (ἐπίκρισις).
The term is composed of two Greek elements: "epi" (ἐπί), meaning "on" or "upon", and "krisis" (κρίσις), meaning "judgment" or "decision".
Therefore, the literal translation of "epicrisis" would be "upon judgment" or "on decision". In medical terminology, "epicrisis" refers to a summary or critical evaluation of a patient's medical history, diagnosis, and treatment.