What is the term for a meeting between a patient and a medical professional?

The term "encounter" refers specifically to the interaction between a patient and a medical professional where healthcare services are provided. This term encompasses various types of visits and interactions, including office visits, hospital stays, and telehealth sessions. It emphasizes the clinical aspect of the interaction and is widely used in medical coding and billing to document patient visits in the medical record.

While "appointment" refers to the scheduled time for the visit, it does not describe the actual meeting itself. "Consultation" can imply a more in-depth discussion concerning diagnosis or treatment between a patient and multiple providers or specialists, often with the goal of obtaining a second opinion. "Assessment" typically refers to the process of evaluating a patient's condition and may occur during an encounter, but it does not capture the broader context of the meeting. Therefore, "encounter" is the most appropriate term for the meeting itself between the patient and the medical professional.