Glossary
Adverse Diagnosis
An unexpected or unusual condition found, tested for, or suspected during an unborn child’s development. This may include a chromosomal abnormality, congenital infection, or other physical anomaly.
Advocacy
The act of supporting, defending and navigating patients through the healthcare system to ensure appropriate care and treatment. This often involves education, facilitating communication, advocating for desired care, and maintaining the patient’s voice and rights.
Agency
The ability to make decisions and act independently.
Bereavement Support
All of the services and support involved in caring for the emotional, social, physical, and spiritual effects of someone who has experienced the death of a loved one.
Birth Plan
A written plan, prepared during pregnancy, that states preferences and desires for the labor and delivery, and if necessary, can detail plans for postnatal NICU Care.
Case Management Coordination
Assists in coordinating the medical care and support for parents and their unborn baby throughout the perinatal period. Coordination of care may involve birth planning development, collaboration with medical disciplines, attending appointments, NICU support, support during transitions of care, coordinating of bereavement services, and general management of services during the perinatal period.
Chaplaincy
Providing spiritual support to individuals, outside of the traditional church, in a calm and comforting way.
Comfort Care
A form of medical care aimed at providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious or life-limiting illnesses. The primary goal of comfort care is to control pain and other distressing symptoms, allowing patients to be as comfortable as possible during their treatment journey.
Continuum of Care
A coordinated and comprehensive approach to patient care that spans various services and settings over time, ensuring that patients receive consistent support throughout their healthcare journey.
Diagnosis
The identification of the nature of a disease, condition, or illness based on procedures and tests and examinations, when possible.
Empower
Equip
Hippocratic Medicine
Hippocratic Medicine refers to the principles and practices attributed to Greek physician Hippocrates, often encapsulated in the Hippocratic Oath. The Hippocratic Oath is one of the earliest expressions of medical ethics. It emphasizes the importance of ethical standards in medicine practice, including patient confidentiality and nonmaleficence (e.g. abortion, euthanasia, and sexual relations with patience). Hippocratic medicine is characterized by a systematic approach to medicine that emphasizes observation, diagnosis, and the natural causes of diseases rather than external interventions to end an innocent human life.
Imago Dei
A Latin phrase that means “Image of God”. It is based on the creation story in the book of Genesis, where it states that humans were/are created in the image and likeness of God, highlighting their unique status within creation.
Lethal Language
Is the use of language that can be interpreted in ways that may harm caregivers or patients and/or hinder a patient’s recovery. Such language can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding, which are crucial for effective patient-centered care. To combat this, healthcare professionals are encouraged to use language that is clear, respectful, and supportive of patients’ experiences. This includes avoiding terms that may be perceived as judgmental or that could exacerbate a patient’s feelings. Instead, healthcare professionals should focus on providing factual and compassionate language that respects the dignity of the patient and promotes a positive healing environment.
Life-affirming
An approach in ministry and healthcare that prioritizes the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. It emphasizes that every person has a sacred duty to protect and support the well-being of others, promoting care that is respectful, compassionate, and centered on the individual’s dignity and rights.
Life-limiting
A medical condition that is without a cure and is expected to cause a person to die earlier than ordinarily expected.
Life Prolonging Treatment
A medical intervention aimed at extending a patient’s life and/or improving a condition.
Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM)
A subspecialty of obstetrics that focuses on the management of high-risk pregnancies, offering specialized care for mothers and babies with complications or chronic health conditions. It involves the diagnosis, treatment, and management of issues that may arise during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
Neonate
A neonate is a newborn. The neonatal period is the first 4 weeks of a child’s life.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
A specialized section of a hospital that provides intensive care for all or premature newborn infants. NICUs are equipped with advanced technology and staffed by highly trained medical professionals who focus on the health care needs of fragile newborns.
Neonatologist
A pediatrician who specialized in the medical care of newborns, particularly those who are ill or born prematurely. They manage the care of newborns with complex health conditions, often working in NICUs.
NICU Care Plan
A structured approach to the care of newborns who require specialized medical attention due to their premature birth, low birth weight, or health conditions. It is designed to ensure that these infants receive the necessary support and monitoring to adapt to life outside the womb and grow healthy. It is essential for the successful transition to extrauterine life and the development of the infant’s physical and emotional well-being.
Palliative Care
Palliative care provides symptom relief and support to people living with chronic conditions. Its benefits also extend to caretakers. Palliative care isn’t the same as hospice care, and it’s not just for those with terminal illnesses. Palliative care can improve one’s health and overall well-being.
Parent Care Coordinator (PCC)
Parental Bonding
The strong emotional connection that develops between a parent and their child, starting from infancy and evolving through shared experiences and positive interactions. This bond is crucial for nurturing the child’s physical, emotional, and social development, laying the foundation for their personality and behavior. It fosters a sense of safety and love, which is essential for a child’s overall well-being.
Pastoral Care
A compassionate approach that addresses the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of patients and their families during serious illness and end-of-life care.
Perinatal
Relating to the time from when a woman becomes pregnant, and up to a year after giving birth.
Perinatologist
An obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Perinatologists are also called maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists or high-risk OBGYNs. They focus on pregnancies where the mother or the baby has a health complication.
Postnatal / Postpartum
The period of time after childbirth, usually understood as within the first weeks or months after birth.
Prenatal
The period of time before childbirth; during or related to pregnancy.
Prenatal Genetic Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic tests confirm the presence of a condition. Diagnostic tests are considered sufficiently accurate to make medical treatment decisions. While accurate, it should be noted that no test is 100% accurate all the time.
Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests
Screening tests are capable of predicting whether there is an elevated risk of the presence of a condition. By their nature, they are not diagnostic and do not confirm the presence of a condition.
Prognosis
A prediction about the likely course and outcome of a condition or disease, estimating how the patient might recover or respond to treatment. In summary, a diagnosis tells you what may be wrong, while a prognosis provides insight into what to expect in the future regarding the actual condition.
Sanctity of Human Life (SOHL)
The Sanctity of Human Life (SOHL) refers to the belief that human life is created by God, in His image; therefore, it is sacred and holds inherent value and dignity. This concept is rooted in various religious, ethical, and philosophical traditions, particularly in Christianity.
Trauma Informed Care (TIC)
An approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and emphasizes creating a safe, supportive environment that fosters healing and empowerment.
