Voluntarily-formed groups of healthcare professionals who join for common management services and other benefits such as collective bargaining agreements with reimbursement agents. The physical assets of a practice are controlled by the MSO which also provides billing, collections, and similar services. The practitioner retains control of patient records and management of patient care.

Assistance in managing and monitoring drug therapy for patients receiving treatment for cancer or chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes, consulting with patients and their families on the proper use of medication; conducting wellness and disease prevention programs to improve public health; overseeing medication use in a variety of settings.

A written agreement for the transfer of patients and their medical records from one health care institution to another.

A traditional term for all the activities which a physician or other health care professional normally performs to insure the coordination of the medical services required by a patient. It also, when used in connection with managed care, covers all the activities of evaluating the patient, planning treatment, referral, and follow-up so that care is continuous and comprehensive and payment for the care is obtained. (From Slee & Slee, Health Care Terms, 2nd ed)

The business and managerial aspects of pharmacy in its broadest sense.

Management of the acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information. (From Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors, 1994)

A method of payment for health services in which an individual or institutional provider is paid a fixed, per capita amount without regard to the actual number or nature of services provided to each patient.

Diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive health services provided for individuals in the community.

Total pharmaceutical services provided to the public through community pharmacies.

Organizations which are not operated for a profit and may be supported by endowments or private contributions.

Total pharmaceutical services provided by qualified PHARMACISTS. In addition to the preparation and distribution of medical products, they may include consultative services provided to agencies and institutions which do not have a qualified pharmacist.

A province of Canada lying between the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec. Its capital is Toronto. It takes its name from Lake Ontario which is said to represent the Iroquois oniatariio, beautiful lake. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p892 & Room, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 1992, p391)

Those persons legally qualified by education and training to engage in the practice of pharmacy.

Organized institutions which provide services to ameliorate conditions of need or social pathology in the community.

Facilities which administer the delivery of health care services to people living in a community or neighborhood.

The term "United States" in a medical context often refers to the country where a patient or study participant resides, and is not a medical term per se, but relevant for epidemiological studies, healthcare policies, and understanding differences in disease prevalence, treatment patterns, and health outcomes across various geographic locations.

Method of charging whereby a physician or other practitioner bills for each encounter or service rendered. In addition to physicians, other health care professionals are reimbursed via this mechanism. Fee-for-service plans contrast with salary, per capita, and prepayment systems, where the payment does not change with the number of services actually used or if none are used. (From Discursive Dictionary of Health Care, 1976)

Individuals enrolled in a school of pharmacy or a formal educational program leading to a degree in pharmacy.