Get a Demo

Glossary

Understanding the key terms related to clinic management software is essential for healthcare providers, staff, and administrators. This glossary provides simple, clear definitions of commonly used terms in modern medical practice systems. From Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Appointment Scheduling to Telemedicine, Billing, and Cloud-Based Access, each term helps you better understand how the software works and benefits your clinic.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Appointment Booking

It's a system where you create a time for your consultation with a health provider, whether it is a therapist, physio, or even a doctor. This can be done over the phone, in person, or through a different form of online communication. This is an essential but basic part of any clinic or practice. It keeps things organized and allows everyone to know when to turn up.

Appointment Calendar

An appointment calendar is a mobile tool, ideally digital nowadays, showcasing all your scheduled meetings or sessions. It enables therapists and other to keep check on who comes in and when. It also helps prevent overbooking or missing appointments. It is just like your client session planner.

Appointment System

An appointment system is the under-the-hood software that governs how appointments are booked and managed. It gives liberty to the client to choose the time that works for them, and it automatically sends reminders. It helps in reducing double bookings and enhances productivity.

AXA Procedure Codes

AXA procedure codes are numerical representations of defined treatments and are used when a claim goes through AXA Health (a major UK health insurer). The codes are used so AXA knows what service you provided and how to pay you, if you are a provider who sees clients with AXA insurance. It keeps insurers and clinics in sync with one another.

Accredited counsellors

They are formally trained and fully qualified professionals who carry out their jobs professionally and have gone through assessments to get certified to help people with emotional or psychological issues. Their approval by such reputable organizations indicates that they comply with the highest rules and standards. If someone is accredited, you can be sure that you are in safe hands and that those guiding you know what they are doing.

B

BABCP

It stands for British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. It is the largest professional organization for practitioners of CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) in the UK. Therapists who are BABCP members and accredited have undergone a rigorous process of training and adhere to a stringent set of guidelines for safe, effective therapy.

BACP

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is one of the largest UK professional Bodies for therapists. If a therapist is a member of the BACP, this means they adhere to a strict ethical code, receive further training, and are dedicated to providing safe, respectful, and beneficial therapy.

BACP Counselling

The BACP counselling simply means that the person providing the counselling or therapy is a member of the BACP. That provides clients with the assurance that their therapist is qualified,professionally trained and answerable to a professional standard. BACP members deal with confidentiality and boundaries and other such matters very carefully and professionally.

BACP Registered Counsellor

It's a counsellor on a public register with the BACP, they have officially met the BACP standards because they are registered with them. It means that they have undergone the proper training, continue to learn as they perform their jobs, and adhere to a professional code of ethics. To clients, it means they are working with a credible and professional backed therapist.

Booking Calendar

A booking calendar is an online platform that is often integrated into a larger scheduling system that allows clients to view availability and book directly. Like you select a time slot on the website and get confirmed. It reduces administrative work and cuts down no-shows and double bookings.

British Association of Counselling

Less popular than BACP, the British Counselling Association also uses the term for any formal umbrella group in the UK that supports counsellors and upholds ethical standards. These organizations promote training, regulate practice, and provide support for therapists A membership in such a group signifies a commitment by a counselor to doing things the right way.

C

Calendar Booking

It is the process of selecting an available date and time slot for an appointment with someone, typically but not always via an online system. This is a very easy method for customers to book a session without the need for phone calls and emails in between. The system displays what is available, and clients choose what is best for them, fast and trouble-free.

Caseload

Caseload is the total number of clients or patients a provider is actively serving. If a therapist has a caseload of 20, that means that the therapist is seeing 20 people on a regular basis. Keeping track of the case load is important not only to ensure that the therapist does not burn out, but also to ensure that each client is provided with proper attention and care.

Clinic Management

Clinic management is all the aspects that keep a healthcare clinic running smoothly. Everything from scheduling, billing, payroll, managing files, and ensuring customer care. Patients enjoy a smooth clinic experience, staff work efficiently, and the clinic stays legally and financially viable, all hallmarks of good clinic management.

Clinic Management Software

Clinic management software is a place for your back office work, scheduling, patient notes, billing, communication, and everything in between. This tool is useful in keeping the clinics organised and helps save time. No more bouncing between spreadsheets and paper forms. Everything is managed digitally with more efficiency and less human error.

Clinical Notes

Clinical notes are important notes composed and recorded by healthcare providers after or during patient visits. These include everything from symptoms and progression to treatment plans and observations. These notes go beyond simple memory; they are legal documents, and allow for consistent quality care over several visits, or through shared professionals.

Clinical Physiotherapist

A clinical physiotherapist is a professional who works in a medical environment; hospital, rehab clinic, or private practice, providing treatment for their patients to restore function and movement following injuries, surgery, or chronic disease. Physical therapists evaluate physical problems, develop treatment plans, and help people do exercises to gain strength, improve movement, and decrease pain over time.

Community Physio

Physiotherapy that takes place outside of the traditional clinic or hospital settings: in the home, school or local health centers is known as community physio. This is for those who cannot travel using public transport or they should be taken care of in a familiar environment. This is particularly the case for elderly patients, disabled persons, or those in earlier stages of healing at home for their treatment.

Consultant Physiotherapist

A consultant physiotherapist is a very skilled and experienced helper who works with patients to improve their movement after serious injuries or health issues, like strokes or sports injuries. They lead teams of other physiotherapists, teach them how to do their jobs better, and plan how care should be provided. This is important because they make sure that everyone gets the best help possible.

Consultants

In healthcare, a consultant is a senior expert with considerable experience in a particular field, such as cardiology, orthopaedics, or mental wellbeing. They typically manage the most complicated situations and frequently oversee junior doctors or therapists. An assurance that you are receiving the best of guidance and treatment, as you are consulting a consultant.

Counsellor

A professional who is trained to talk to people suffering from personal, emotional, or mental problems is called a counsellor. They provide a safe environment where clients can discuss matters such as stress, anxiety, grief, or relationship issues. Counsellors can listen without judging and will help others understand themselves better, or they can suggest coping methods, or help people grow.

CPD

It is an acronym for Continuing Professional Development , it means all the additional education and training that professionals do to stay sharp. It can be workshops, online courses, reading, peer discussion, etc.

D

Diary Management

Diary management usually refers to a system where you can see all of your appointments, meetings, and tasks in one location, in real-time. It keeps you organized, prevents double bookings, and ensures that you never miss anything important. This is especially helpful for busy clinics, or therapists seeing a large number of clients per week.

Diary Management System

A diary management system refers to a tool used by a professional to maintain his or her daily schedule. It allows you to easily add, move, or cancel appointments. It can also remind you and display your availability. It saves time, keeps everything running airtight with no need to slice sticky notes or a paper diary here.

F

First Therapy Session

The first therapy session is the first meeting between the client and therapist. The opportunity to have a conversation about what is happening, what the client would like assistance with, and how therapy could take place. The therapist introduces themself, asks a few questions, and gives a brief explanation of what to expect. What it is, however, is about making a comfortable space, trust building, and establishing objectives.

G

Gender Pronouns

Gender pronouns are the terms we use in place of a name to refer to someone, like he, him, she, her, or they, them. Calling someone by the right pronouns is a matter of respect. This is so important in therapy and healthcare settings, asking, listening and what pronouns people want to be used.

GP Letter

A GP letter is a formal letter from a general practitioner and is basically used in transferring information to another healthcare provider. This may include information relating to a patient’s medical history, a referral to a specialist, or treatment information. It allows professionals from various fields to be on the same page when providing care for a person.

H

Hospital Referral

A hospital referral is when a doctor or therapist sends the patient to a hospital for further tests, treatment, or to see a specialist. This occurs when the patient requires treatment that cannot be performed in an ordinary clinic or GP office. Now you know what helps them ensure they get help appropriate for their needs.

I

Ideal Client

An ideal client is the type of person that you would want to provide your service to. Clients you look forward to working with, Clients who get the most out of what you do, and clients who respect what you do. Your ideal client is also the one who will allow you to focus your marketing and make your business grow with ease.

Ideal Customers

Perfect clients are those individuals who would be delighted to purchase your service or product. Where your customers will pay you for your product and come back or refer you. When you know who they are you can talk to them directly in your ads, your website, and in your emails.

M

Management Diary

A management diary is a log you use to schedule your meetings, appointments, and after-office activities typically used for business or clinical purposes. This helps managers or team members be aware of competitive developments, time and personnel. It allows you to keep track of everything, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.

Managing Diaries

You keep calendars and schedules updated for yourself or on behalf of someone else, such as a team or clinic. The scheduling aspect entails booking appointments, rearranging stuff if there is a change in plans and ensuring that no overlaps or gaps occur. Essentially, keeping a track of time and managing consistency.

Medical Appointment

A medical appointment is an arrangement to meet with a health care provider, such as a doctor, nurse, or allied health professional. For example, it may be for a check-up, test results, treatment, or to discuss health problems. It can be a great advantage that when you book a medical appointment, you have a focused time slot to receive the care you need or to get the necessary advice.

Medical Software

Medical software refers to the technology designed to be used in the healthcare system for things like patient records, appointments, prescriptions, billing, and treatment plan management. It allows doctors and clinics to be more efficient, helps reduce paperwork, and most importantly, keep everything organized and in a secure way. It functions like a sort of digital assistant in healthcare.

Mental Counselling

Mental counselling is a professional guidance of the person with emotional, mental or psychological problems, stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, etc. A trained counsellor listens, provides advice, and enables clients to process their thoughts and feelings in a secure, confidential environment. Moving the needle on mental well-being

Merchant of Record

Merchant of record (MoR) is an official business that processes a customer's payment. The MoR takes care of the transaction when a person buys a product or service online, sends receipts, handles taxes, and ensures that the sale is legal. They are the ones from whom you make an official purchase, even if that purchase is on someone else's site.

Musculoskeletal Practitioner

A musculoskeletal practitioner is a health professional who treats problems with muscles, bones, and joints, such as back pain, sports injuries, or arthritis. They are the ones that help you move better, help to cease the pain and help to recover injuries that involve your body structure.

N

NHS

The NHS (National Health Service) is the UK's state-funded healthcare service. It offers free or low-cost medical care to all of the country’s residents, including doctor visits and hospitalization, prescription drugs, and mental health care. It is one of the largest health care systems in the world.

O

Online Appointment Booking

Appointment booking online allows clients to book their own appointments via a website or app. Instead of calling them or sending an email, they simply select a time convenient for that day, and book instantly. It’s speedy, it’s easy, and it’s available 24/7 which is all good news for clients and for overworked practices.

Online Appointment Booking System

It is the software or the technology behind online bookings. It displays your available times, handles scheduling, and, more often than not, sends confirmation or reminders. It streamlines the administrative work and makes it easier for clients to book with you at any time.

Online Appointment Diary

It is your virtual diary for bookings. It displays all your upcoming appointments at a glance, and adjusts in real time as people book or cancel. You can use it on your computer or phone, so it’s convenient to manage your day from anywhere.

Online Appointment System

An online appointment system is a comprehensive system that provides all of the functionality required for booking appointments online. It can enable clients to pick times, send reminders, update their calendar, and even take payments. It makes your job more efficient and keeps your clients happier.

Online Booking Calendar

An online booking calendar is a visual tool that clients can use to select a time for their appointment. It is laid out in a clear, calendar-style format showing slots available. Our clients simply click on the time they want and book easily. It’s designed for convenience and helps eliminate back-and-forth scheduling.

Online Receptionist

An online receptionist is a remote service that takes on responsibilities that would be handled by a front desk receptionist, such as scheduling appointments, responding to inquiries, or sending reminders. It’s generally a combination of software and support services that can help your practice run more smoothly, even when it’s not business hours at your practice.

P

Patient Assessment

Patient assessment is the process of determining what’s going on with the patient. It typically occurs on the initial visit and may involve questioning and checking symptoms, and even some physical tests. And it aids the health-care provider in understanding the nature of the patient’s condition and choosing the right treatment path.

Patient Management Software

This software is a digital system that allows clinics and therapists to manage patients. It can hold contact information, health information, appointment records, billing details and more. It saves time and makes for better patient care.

Patient Management System

A patient management system is a complete package, typically software that manages everything from booking an appointment to taking notes and monitoring treatment. It’s meant to make running a healthcare practice easier and more efficient, while also ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.

Patient Note

A patient note is a summary written by a medical professional during or after a session. It includes elements like what the patient reported saying, what was done during the visit, and what should follow. This is a useful reference for future visits.

Patient Notes

Patient notes are usually ongoing logs that record a person’s health, treatment, and progress over time. They assist practitioners with triggering their knowledge around key details, formulating care plans and communicating with others. Some kind of written record of care is essential for good care, and indeed is sometimes legally mandated.

Patient Referral

A patient referral refers to a situation when a doctor or therapist refers a patient to another professional for further assistance, a specialist, a hospital or another type of therapist. It’s a means of ensuring the patient receives the proper care from the appropriate person.

Personal Therapist

A personal therapist is somebody you regularly go to for help with mental, emotional, and personal problems. Such a person becomes a kind of go-to resource for support, a safe place to talk about problems, work through issues , and grow over time. The bond is based on trust and comprehension.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a treatment method that can help people move better and feel better. This usually incorporates exercises, hands-on treatments, and advice .The aim is to improve how your body functions and keep you moving without pain.

Physiotherapist

They are also known as physios, trained health professionals who help people restore movement and function after they have been affected by injury, illness , or disability, or after certain medical procedures or operations. Using exercises, stretches, and hands-on techniques, they help work with muscles, joints, and nerves. Their purpose is to make you move better, feel less pain, and keep you mobile.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists use physiotherapy to help patients recover from illness, injury, or surgery. It aids people with pain, stiffness, weakness, or injuries, and these common complaints stem from sports, surgery or medical conditions. It concentrates on returning to the function, movement, and quality of life using physical, non-surgical techniques.

POGB

POGP is Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy. It’s a specialized field of physiotherapy that treats concerns related to women’s health , pelvic floor problems, pregnancy pain, or recovery postpartum. POGP physios have additional training in this area.

Practice Management System

A practice management system, or PMS, is a software tool that aids healthcare clinics maintain organization. It manages things such as scheduling, patient records, billing and reporting all in one place. It’s more efficient, less paperwork and behind the scenes it keeps the train on the track.

Private Consultant

A private consultant is a specialist doctor or therapist you see, not through the NHS. You pay out of pocket or through private insurance. They also tend to take appointments more quickly and offer more flexible care. Consultants typically concentrate on one field, such as cardiology, mental health, or orthopaedics.

Private Counselling

The term used to describe seeing a therapist who is not part of the NHS or public health system. You pay for sessions out of pocket or through private insurance. It typically provides faster access, more freedom in who you work with and how you work together.

Private Doctor

A private doctor provides medical treatment that is not part of the NHS. You or your private insurance pays for the service. Private doctors also commonly provide fewer delayed appointments, more time with a patient per visit, and more personalized care, according to government data.

Private Medical Practice

A private medical practice is a medical clinic or an office of a physician, usually privately run by the latter. Patients pay up front or with private insurance for treatment. These sites typically provide for shorter waiting times, more flexible timetables, and an environmentally friendly take on health care everything from GP to specialist services in some cases.

Private Practice

Private practice is when a healthcare professional for example a doctor, therapist or physiotherapist  operates their service separately from others. Instead of working for the NHS or a hospital, they care for clients on their own, typically by charging a fee. Private practice offers greater control over hours, fees and treatment approach.

Private Practice Online

Private practice online is the term used to describe when a provider moves their private practice to the internet. It also applies to online therapy, consultations or coaching sessions via video calls, email, or apps. It’s portable, convenient for clients, and allows practitioners to work from anywhere.

Private Practice Software

Private practice software is a product designed to facilitate the day-to day work of solo or small clinics. It has the capacity to manage appointment scheduling, notes, invoices and patient records all in one place. It makes life easier, your time saved and allows for increased organization and a better client experience.

Private Referral Letter

A private referral letter is a letter from a health professional a GP or therapist referring an individual to a private specialist or clinic. It tells why more care is necessary. This letter assists the new provider in understanding the case prior to meeting the patient.

Process Notes

Process notes are a therapist’s personal notes that record their clinical impressions of a client and that record any other information they felt drawn to make a note of. These are typically kept private and used. These are not official notes.

Prostheses

A prosthesis is an artificial body part that's an alternative to the limb, organ, or other part that’s missing in a person, like a leg, arm, or breast. Someone may need them because they are hurt, sick, or have had surgery. Prostheses assist with movement, appearance, or use, and can be customized to meet a person’s individual needs

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a form of mental health treatment in which you talk to a licensed mental health professional to find relief from emotional difficulties, mental health conditions, or life issues. It goes beyond counselling to diagnose and treat more serious problems, as they can take a longer time to come up with strategies and treatment plans that can help people in the long term. Different treatments can sometimes rapidly treat thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by recognising thoughts, feelings, and behaviours over time.

R

Referral Letter

A referral letter is a note from a doctor or therapist that says you need to go to an appointment. It describes the reason for the referral, the patient’s history, and what type of assistance is required. It’s a means of ensuring that the patient receives the appropriate care from the appropriate provider.

S

Smart Bookings

Smart bookings mean easy, fast scheduling for your clients with you. They typically feature things like the ability to display available times, to send reminders, to avoid double booking, even to collect payments. The name of the game is saving time and minimizing admin.

SOAP Assessment

A SOAP note is a method for health practitioners to write up notes following a patient consultation.

SOAP stands for:

  • Patient reported is what the patient reports.
  • The objective is what a professional sees or tests
  • The opinion of the professional is
  • Plan what will happen now, treatment, or further tests
  • It's also great for helping to keep notes clear and consistent.

SOAP Format

SOAP format is a structured method.

It roughly separates the note into four clear areas

  1. Subjective
  2. Objective
  3. Assessment
  4. Plan

And so that’s why every professional who reads the note can easily grasp what is happening with the patient, and what should be done.

SOAP Note

A SOAP note is an abbreviation for Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan note. In the bottom part of the note is what the patient said, what was observed or measured, the provider’s thinking and the plan. It is a fast and logical way to chart progress and plan future care.

SOAP Note Template

A SOAP note template is a premade document that makes it easier for medical professionals to write their notes in a more organized and efficient manner. It then lists headings for Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan, and the practitioner simply enters the details as appropriate following each treatment.

SOAP Notes

SOAP notes are a group of multiple patient records written in SOAP format. In healthcare and therapy, they’re used to ensure every visit is well-documented, reflects changes over time, and keeps everyone playing from the same page.

Software Clinic

A clinic software system could also mean software builders by healthcare providers or clinics to manage their businesses. It has tools for booking, billing, maintaining patient records, sending reminders and writing notes. It enables practices to run more efficiently and spend less time on admin.

Stroke Imaging

Stroke imaging is when you take images from a CT or MRI and look at the brain when somebody seems to be having symptoms of stroke. It allows doctors to determine what kind of stroke it is, bleeding versus a blockage, so they can treat it rapidly and appropriately.

System Bookings

System bookings are simply the appointment that is scheduled in a digital system or software, rather than manually. This can mean online booking, calendar syncing and automatic reminders. It saves time and cuts down on errors, for both clinics and patients.

T

Tertiary care

It is the provision of specialized medical care. It typically occurs in large hospitals or specialty centers and includes more advanced procedures, such as surgery, cancer care or neurology. Patients are usually reffered to tertiary care when their case is extremely complex and requires the care of a specialist, beyond everybody clinics or GPs.

Therapy Notes

Therapy Notes Therapy notes are essentially a therapist’s compilation of the records of a client following every session. These notes allow practitioners to monitor what was discussed, the client’s progress and any future intentions. They are private, organized and useful for maintaining therapy in track over time.

Therapy Writing

Therapy writing might mean two things. For therapists, it’s notes, reflections, or reports about sessions. For patients, it can become part of the therapy, like journaling to work through feelings or writing exercises to sort out ideas.

V

Virtual receptionist

A virtual receptionist is a live person or automated system that takes calls, messages, and bookings for your practice, but off-site. They can answer questions, book appointments, and provide clients with a professional first point of contact, all without needing someone physically situated at your front desk. It’s an inexpensive way to remain responsive and organized.

W

Web-Based Bookings

Any booking which has received through your own website or secure online link. Customers can view offered dates and times, pick what works for them and book it instantly anytime, day or night. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it eliminates the back-and-forth emails or phone calls.

Website Booking System

The website booking system is the tool or software that you have in your website to let people book appointments online. It plugs into your calendar, displays your appointments and can even send out reminders or payments. It’s a time saver that automates bookings and provides your clients with a straightforward, professional way to book time with you.

Take Your Practice To A New Level

Try Enquiry Practice Management System Today

Start My Free Trial

30-Day Trial - No Credit Card Required