Okuzeka
Healthcare Management vocabulary · Health Systems and Governance

Secondary care

Meaning in healthcare management, with examples

nounCommon term

In healthcare management, secondary care means: Specialist medical care, usually given in a general hospital, that patients receive after a referral or in an emergency.

In Turkish: ikinci basamak sağlık hizmetleri, ikinci basamak

How it is used

Covers most outpatient clinics, planned surgery and emergency care in local hospitals. Managers talk about the 'interface' between primary and secondary care, for example when they plan referrals and discharges.

Example sentences

  1. Better diabetes care in the community could reduce demand on secondary care.

  2. She manages contracts between the insurer and secondary care providers.

Common collocations

  • secondary care services
  • secondary care provider
  • secondary care referral
  • primary careThe first point of contact with the health system, such as family doctors and local health centres, which deals with common problems, prevention and referrals.
  • tertiary careHighly specialised care, such as heart surgery, transplants or complex cancer treatment, given in large hospitals with expert staff and advanced equipment.
  • referralThe act of sending a patient to another doctor, specialist, service or hospital for further assessment or treatment, or the letter or request that does this.
  • outpatientA patient who visits a hospital or clinic for an appointment, test or treatment and goes home the same day without being admitted.

More terms: Health Systems and Governance

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.