Referral Management
Referral management is how a patient keeps track of, schedules, prepares for, and follows through on a medical referral to ensure their care continues smoothly.
Care Coordination and Communication
Healthcare works best when everyone stays on the same page. This glossary section explains how communication and collaboration happen between patients, families, and care teams. Here you’ll find terms about referrals, team-based care, continuity, and transitions between settings. Understanding these words helps you manage information flow, prevent delays, and ensure that nothing gets lost between visits. Care coordination isn’t just a system responsibility—it’s a skill patients can learn. These terms show you how to stay organized and keep your care connected.
Navigation Skills
Navigation skills refer to a patient’s ability to find, access, understand, and coordinate the healthcare services they need to manage their health effectively.
Patient Navigator
A patient navigator is a professional or trained guide who helps individuals understand, coordinate, and manage their healthcare journey across providers and services.
Signpost Questions
Signpost questions are purposeful questions patients use or ask themselves or their providers to help clarify information, stay focused during appointments, confirm their understanding of a treatment plan, and make more informed decisions about their care.
Longitudinal Care
Longitudinal care means supporting a patient’s health continuously over time with the focus to build lasting relationships and tracking progress beyond single visits.