European society of clinical pharmacy (ESCP) glossary of scientific terms: a tool for standardizing scientific jargon

Abstract

Introduction: This glossary is a tool for clinicians who have to confront topics in which medical, scientific and technical jargon is closely linked. It provides definitions for the key concepts and terms of pharmaceutical care, clinical pharmacy, and research in the health care system in clinical settings. It includes items that are not particularly technical, but that should be part of the know-how of staff working in medical and scientific fields. In fact, the glossary can also help clinical technicians who want to understand the precise definition of scientific terms, which often do not coincide with the ones used in the practice setting. Principal Goals and Objectives: The aim of this glossary is to aid in the development of more standardized and established terminology for clinical pharmacy, facilitate communication among different stakeholders and, ultimately, contribute to a higher-quality health care system. Results: The glossary contains 165 definitions of concepts and principles in clinical pharmacy, and terms widely used in this field. The criteria for the inclusion of terms were specific applications in health promotion, or terms used in other fields that have a specific meaning or application when used in reference to clinical activity. Conclusions: The glossary arose from the need to standardize terminology in the scientific field. It was not intended as a comprehensive listing that would include all medical terms, but as a useful tool for clinical pharmacists working in this area, and for users who occasionally encounter unusual, often hard to understand, terminology.

Appendix

Members of the Education Committee of the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ESCP) are: Cecilia Bernsten, Medical products agency, Uppsala, Sweden; Anna Carollo, ISMETT, Palermo, Italy; Fikret Vehbi Izzettin, University of Marmara, Istanbul, Turkey; Frank Jorgensen, Haukeland Hospital Pharmacy, Bergen, Norway; Moira Kinnear, University of Strathclyde, and NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Hannelore Kreckel, University Gieben and Marburg, Giessen, Germany; Gert Laekeman, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Vincent Launay-Vacher*, Service ICAR-Department of Nephrology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Anne Leendertse, Apotheek UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; André Rieutord*, Department of Pharmacy, Antoine Béclère Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Clamart, France; Vera von Gunten, Department of Pharmacy, ICHV, Sion, Switzerland.

*Has stepped down from position within the ESCP Education Committee as of time of publication.