Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

PHS
Public Health Service. See 
United States
Public Health Service.
phlebo-
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physiatrist
A physician who specializes in physi-
cal medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists special-
ize in restoring optimal function to people with
injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues, or nervous
system, such as stroke victims.
physical child abuse
See 
child abuse.
physical map
A map of the locations of identifi-
able landmarks on chromosomes. Physical distance
between landmarks is measured in base pairs. The
physical map differs from the genetic map, which is
based purely on genetic linkage data. In the human
genome, the lowest-resolution physical map is the
banding patterns of the 24 different chromosomes.
The highest-resolution physical map is the complete
nucleotide sequence of all chromosomes.
physical therapist
A person who is trained and
certified by a state or accrediting body to design and
implement physical therapy programs. Abbreviated
PT. PTs may work in hospitals or clinics, in schools
that provide assistance to special education stu-
dents, or as independent practitioners.
physical therapy
A branch of rehabilitative
health that uses specially designed exercises and
equipment to help patients regain or improve their
physical abilities. Abbreviated PT. PT is appropriate
for many types of patients, from infants born with
musculoskeletal birth defects, to adults suffering
from sciatica or the after effects of injury or surgery,
to elderly poststroke patients.
physician
A person who is trained in the art of
healing. In the UK, a physician is a specialist in
internal or general medicine, whereas in the US a
physician is any doctor of medicine. The term gen-
erally refers to a person who has earned a Doctor of
Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), or
Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) degree and who is
accepted as a practitioner of medicine under the
laws of the state, province, and/or nation in which
he or she practices.