Author: Glossary
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Person-environment-occupation-performance model
A conceptual model used by occupational therapists to guide clinical reasoning and plan interventions. It emphasizes that activity performance is influenced by the capacity of the individual, the characteristics of the activity, and the resources and task demands of the environment.
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Personal representative
Someone designated to make health care decisions for another if that other person becomes incapable of making such decisions.
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Personal protective equipment
Clothing, masks, gloves, or other gear that protects a person from exposure to noxious chemicals or transmissible diseases.
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Cluster C personality disorder
A group of personality disorders in which anxious and fearful behavior is a prominent feature. This group includes dependent, avoidant, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.
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Cluster B personality disorder
A grouping of personality disorders sharing traits of attention seeking, highly excitable emotional states, and unpredictable behavior. This group includes antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality disorders.
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Cluster A personality disorder
A grouping of personality disorders sharing traits of odd behavior and social isolation. This group of diagnoses includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders.
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Personalism
A social theory of health care that stresses the importance of respect for the dignity and individuality of those people for whom care is provided.
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Personal equation
A personal bias or peculiarity that may explain a difference in approach or interpretation.
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Personal emergency alert system
A device consisting of a portable battery-powered help button and a machine that automatically dials a monitoring station. The device is connected to the individual’s telephone or to a phone jack. When the system is activated, it either allows a two-way communication between the monitoring station and the individual or alerts the station personnel to…
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Personal digital assistant
A hand-held or pocket-sized computer used to store information or communicate with others.