Terms starting with P

Package Price

A bundled, all-inclusive or fixed-fee pricing model offered by hospitals or facilitators for a defined course of treatment, which may encompass surgery, anaesthesia, hospital accommodation, standard post-operative medications, and specified follow-up consultations. Patients should carefully review what is and is not included in any package price to avoid unexpected additional costs.

Pathology Report

The laboratory report on any tissue sample sent for histological or microbiological analysis during or after a procedure. Specifies the laboratory, the analysis performed, the result, and the responsible pathologist or microbiologist.

In medical tourism: Where any tissue is removed during surgery (e.g. excision biopsy, tonsillectomy, mole removal, breast reduction tissue), the pathology report should be provided to the patient and to the patient's home-country GP. Unreported pathology findings are a known patient-safety hazard in medical tourism.

Patient Coordinator

A hospital staff member or agency representative who acts as the primary point of contact for a patient throughout the treatment journey, managing communications, scheduling appointments, arranging logistics, and providing support and information before, during, and after the procedure. The quality of patient coordination is a significant determinant of overall patient experience at international facilities.

Patient Record Transfer

The process of securely sharing a patient's medical history, diagnostic images, laboratory results, operative reports, and other clinical documentation between healthcare providers in different locations or countries. Ensuring comprehensive and timely record transfer is essential for safe continuity of care when a patient's treatment spans multiple providers or countries.

Perioperative

The period encompassing the time immediately before (pre-operative), during (intra-operative), and immediately after (post-operative) a surgical procedure, during which the patient is under the direct care of the surgical and anaesthetic team. Perioperative care protocols are designed to optimise patient safety, minimise complications, and facilitate rapid recovery.

PGT-A

Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A) is a laboratory technique performed on embryos created through IVF, in which cells biopsied from the blastocyst are screened for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. It aims to identify euploid (chromosomally normal) embryos for transfer, with the goal of improving implantation rates and reducing the risk of miscarriage.

Physiotherapy

A healthcare profession that uses physical methods, including exercise, manual therapy, electrotherapy, and patient education, to restore movement, strength, and function following injury, surgery, or illness. Post-operative physiotherapy is a critical component of recovery after orthopaedic, cardiac, and neurological procedures and should be factored into post-treatment planning by medical tourists.

Porcelain-Fused-To-Metal

A type of dental crown or bridge in which a metal alloy substructure provides strength and durability whilst a porcelain outer layer replicates the natural appearance of tooth enamel. Although increasingly superseded by all-ceramic alternatives such as zirconia, porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations remain widely used due to their proven longevity and cost-effectiveness.

Post-Operative Care

The medical and nursing management of a patient following a surgical procedure, encompassing monitoring of vital signs, wound care, pain management, physiotherapy, and complication prevention until the patient achieves a safe and stable recovery. For medical tourists, the transition of post-operative care from the treating facility abroad to clinicians at home requires careful coordination and thorough documentation.

Practising Certificate

A formal document issued annually or periodically by a medical regulatory body or professional council confirming that a healthcare professional holds current registration, has met continuing professional development requirements, and is permitted to practise in their stated specialty. Requesting sight of a surgeon's practising certificate is a basic but important step in verifying their credentials.

Pre-Existing Condition

A health condition, illness, or injury that a patient had prior to taking out an insurance policy or commencing a medical procedure, which may be subject to exclusions, waiting periods, or additional premiums under the terms of the policy. The definition and treatment of pre-existing conditions varies significantly between insurers and jurisdictions.

PRK

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) is a laser refractive eye surgery technique in which the outer epithelial layer of the cornea is removed and an excimer laser is applied directly to the corneal surface to reshape it and correct refractive errors, without the creation of a corneal flap. It is often recommended for patients with thin corneas or those at risk of flap complications from LASIK.

Prokinetic

A class of medications that increase gastrointestinal motility (metoclopramide, domperidone, erythromycin in low doses). Used for nausea due to gastric stasis and for the management of slow transit conditions. Of relevance to bariatric and post-anaesthetic care where gastric emptying may be impaired.

Ptosis

The drooping or falling of the upper eyelid due to weakness or dysfunction of the levator muscle or its nerve supply, which may partially or completely obstruct vision and cause a tired or asymmetric appearance. Surgical correction (ptosis repair) involves tightening or repositioning the levator muscle and is distinct from blepharoplasty, which addresses excess skin rather than muscular function.

Pulmonary Embolism

A potentially fatal condition in which one or more blood clots, usually originating as a deep vein thrombosis in the leg, travel through the bloodstream and lodge in the pulmonary arteries, obstructing blood flow to the lungs. Symptoms include sudden-onset shortness of breath, chest pain, and collapse, and it represents one of the most serious risks associated with post-operative immobility and long-haul travel.