intervention
in-ter-VEN-shun
/ˌɪn.təˈvɛn.ʃən/
Action taken to intentionally improve a situation, alter disease progression, or stop harm.
Implies deliberate, active stepping into a medical situation to interrupt a negative outcome.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'interventio', from 'intervenire', literally 'to come between' ('inter-' = between + 'venire' = to come). Medical intervention comes directly between the patient and worsening disease.
Word relationships
- interference: Interference carries a negative connotation of unwanted intrusion, whereas intervention is deliberate and intended to heal.
- noninterference: Noninterference means remaining passive, whereas intervention demands active action.
Commonly confused with
- prevention: Prevention stops an illness before it begins; intervention enters an ongoing issue to alter its course.
Word family
- intervene (verb): To take action to alter a outcome
- interventional (adjective): Relating to medical procedures that actively intervene
Collocations
- early intervention
- surgical intervention
- medical intervention
Example sentences
- "Immediate surgical intervention was required to open the blocked artery and prevent muscle damage." Cardiology
Memory hook
INTER-VENTION = COMING BETWEEN sickness and the patient to protect them. Intervention = Stepping between to alter an outcome.
When not to use
Do not use for passive observation or watchful waiting.
Fun facts
- 'Interventional cardiology' uses catheters to repair heart structures without requiring open-chest surgery.
Related words
Explore more words
intervene, interfere, take action, therapeutic, interrupt, regimen
Also appears in
- Technology → Medicine & Biotechnology
- Education & Pedagogy → Special Education & Inclusion
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Obesity & Public Health
- Health Sciences → Addiction & Substance Abuse
- Military Science & Warfare → Peacekeeping & UN Interventions
- Political Science & Governance → Policy Formulation & Intervention
- Criminology, Law Enforcement & Penal Systems → Juvenile Delinquency
- Criminology, Law Enforcement & Penal Systems → Policing Strategies
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