§ 57.802 - Definitions.

For purpose of this subpart:

Academic year means the approximately 9-12 month period of time during which the program is in session.

Disease prevention is the health strategy which emphasizes the development of individual and community measures to protect against disease or environmental hazards and their harmful consequence.

Full-time student means a student who is enrolled in a program and pursuing a course of study which constitutes a full-time academic workload, as determined by the program, and which leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate of completion.

Geriatric medicine is the prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment of illness and disability as required by the distinct needs of the elderly.

Health professional shortage area means an area designated under section 322 of the Public Health Service Act.

Health promotion is the health strategy which emphasizes individual responsibility for one's health, and community efforts to maintain and enhance well-being through lifestyle changes.

Home health care is the provision of medical and other health care services to maintain or restore the health of an ill or disabled person in their place of residence.

Medical director means the individual responsible for providing competent medical direction of the program.

Physician assistant means an individual who is qualified by academic and clinical training to provide patient care services under the supervision and responsibility of a doctor of medicine or osteopathic medicine. At a minimum, the physician assistant is competent to:

(1) Do the initial and follow-up evaluation of patients of various age groups in any setting to elicit a detailed and accurate history, perform an appropriate physical examination, and record and present pertinent data, including interpretive recommendations, in a manner meaningful to the physician;

(2) Perform or assist in the performance of routine laboratory and related studies as appropriate for a specific practice setting, such as blood studies, urinalyses, and electrocardiographic tracings;

(3) Perform routine therapeutic procedures such as injections, immunizations, and the assessment, suturing, and care of wounds;

(4) Instruct and counsel patients regarding physical and mental health, including matters such as nutrition, illness, treatment, normal growth and development, and age, sex, or lifestyle risk factors;

(5) Perform the following functions in a hospital setting: patient work-ups, making patient rounds, recording patient progress notes, accurately and appropriately transcribing or executing standing orders and other specific orders at the direction of the supervising physician, and compiling and recording detailed progress reports and narrative case summaries;

(6) Deliver or assist in the delivery of services, including the review and monitoring of treatment and therapy plans, to patients requiring initial or continuing care in settings other than a hospital, such as the home, nursing homes, and extended care facilities;

(7) Evaluate and treat life-threatening emergency situations;

(8) Interact with those community health services and other community resources which will facilitate the patient's care and continuity of care.

Primary care means primary care, as defined in 42 CFR 57.702.

Supervised clinical practice means direct participation in patient care by observation, examination, and performance of procedures as are appropriate for the assigned role of the student for the purposes of instruction under the guidance and responsibility of a physician who holds a full and unrestricted license in the State in which the supervised clinical practice is located.