A health professional is an individual who provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to people, families or communities.
A health professional (also known as a health worker) may operate within medicine, surgery, midwifery (obstetrics), dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, psychology or allied health professions. A health professional may also be a public/community health expertee working for the common good of the society.
Contents
- 1 Practitioners and professionals
- 1.1 Mental health practitioners
- 1.2 Maternal and newborn health practitioners
- 1.3 Geriatric care practitioners
- 1.4 Surgical practitioners
- 1.5 Rehabilitation care practitioners
- 1.6 Eye care practitioners
- 1.7 Oral health practitioners
- 1.8 Foot care practitioners
- 1.9 Public health practitioners
- 1.10 Traditional and complementary medicine practitioners
- 2 Practice conditions and regulations
- 2.1 Shortages of health professionals
- 2.2 Health and stress among health care practitioners
- 2.3 Regulation and registration of professionals
- 3 See also
- 4 References
- 5 External links
Practitioners and professionals
Health practitioners and professionals
- Athletic Trainers
- Audiologists and Speech Pathologists
- Chiropractors
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Clinical officers
- Community health workers
- Dentists
- Dietitians and Nutritionists
- Emergency medical technicians
- Feldshers
- Health administrators
- Medical Assistants
- Medical technologists
- Midwives
- Nurse anesthetists
- Nurses
- Paramedics
- Pharmacists
- Pharmaconomists
- Pharmacy technicians
- Phlebotomists
- Physicians
- Physician Assistants
- Podiatrists
- Psychologists
- Psychotherapists
- Physiotherapists
- Radiographers
- Respiratory Therapists
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Surgeon
- Surgeon's assistant
- Surgical Technologist
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Health care practitioners include physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurses (including advanced practice registered nurses), surgeons, surgeon's assistant, surgical technologist, midwives (obstetrics), dietitians, therapists, psychologists, chiropractors, clinical officers, social workers, phlebotomists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, speech pathologists, optometrists, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, medical laboratory scientists, medical prosthetic technicians, radiographers and a wide variety of other human resources trained to provide some type of health care service. They often work in hospitals, health care centres, and other service delivery points, but also in academic training, research, and administration. Some provide care and treatment services for patients in private homes. Many countries have a large number of community health workers who work outside formal health care institutions. Managers of health care services, health information technicians, and other assistive personnel and support workers are also considered a vital part of health care teams.[1]
Health care practitioners are commonly grouped into a number of professions:
- Medical (including generalist practitioners and specialists)
- Nursing (including various professional titles)
- Midwifery (including Obstetrics)
- Dentistry (including dental team members)
- Allied health professions
- Health Scientists
Within each field of expertise, practitioners are often classified according to skill level and skill specialization. “Health professionals” are highly skilled workers, in professions that usually require extensive knowledge including university-level study leading to the award of a first degree or higher qualification.[2] This category includes physicians, physician assistants, dentists, midwives (obstetrics), registered nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, optometrists, and others. Allied health professionals, also referred to as "health associate professionals" in the International Standard Classification of Occupations, support implementation of health care, treatment and referral plans usually established by medical, nursing, and other health professionals, and usually require formal qualifications to practice their profession. In addition, unlicensed assistive personnel assist with providing health care services as permitted.
Another way to categorize health care practitioners is according to the sub-field in which they practice, such as mental health care, pregnancy and childbirth care, surgical care, rehabilitation care, or public health.
Mental health practitioners
Main article: Mental health professional
A mental health practitioner is a health worker who offers services for the purpose of improving the mental health of individuals or treating mental illness. These include psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, marriage and family therapists, as well as other health professionals and allied health professions. These health care providers often deal with the same illnesses, disorders, conditions, and issues; however their scope of practice often differs. The most significant difference across categories of mental health practitioners is education and training.[3]
Maternal and newborn health practitioners
Main articles: Obstetrics and Birth attendant
A maternal and newborn health practitioner is a health worker who deals with the care of women and their children before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. Such health practitioners include obstetricians, midwives (obstetrics), obstetrical nurses and many others. One of the main differences between these professions is in the training and authority to provide surgical services and other life-saving interventions.[4] In some developing countries, traditional birth attendants, or traditional midwives, are the primary source of pregnancy and childbirth care for many women and families, although they are not certified or licensed.
Geriatric care practitioners
Main articles: Geriatrics and Geriatric care management
A geriatric care practitioner plans and coordinates the care of the elderly and/or disabled to promote their health, improve their quality of life, and maintain their independence for as long as possible. They include geriatricians, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, geriatric clinical pharmacists, geriatric nurses, geriatric care managers, geriatric aides, and others who focus on the health and psychological care needs of older adults.
Surgical practitioners
A surgical practitioner is a health worker who specializes in the planning and delivery of a patient's perioperative care, including during the anaesthetic, surgical and recovery stages. They may include general and specialist surgeons, surgeon's assistant, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, surgical nurses, clinical officers, operating department practitioners, anaesthetic technicians, surgical technologists, and others.
Rehabilitation care practitioners
A rehabilitation care practitioner is a health worker who provides care and treatment which aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities. These include physiatrists, rehabilitation nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, orthotists, prosthetists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, audiologists, speech and language pathologists, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation counsellors, physiotherapy technicians, orthotic technicians, prosthetic technicians, personal care assistants, and others.[5]
Eye care practitioners
Main articles: Ophthalmology and Optometry
Care and treatment for the eye and the adnexa may be delivered by ophthalmologists specializing in surgical/medical care, or optometrists specializing in refractive management and medical/therapeutic care.
Oral health practitioners
Main article: Dentistry
A dental care practitioner is a health worker who provides care and treatment to promote and restore oral health. These include dentists and dental surgeons, dental assistants, dental auxiliaries, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental technicians, dental therapists, and related professional titles.
Care and treatment for the foot, ankle, and lower leg may be delivered by podiatrists, pedorthists, foot health practitioners, podiatric medical assistants, podiatric nurse and others.
Public health practitioners
A public health practitioner focuses on improving health among individuals, families and communities through the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries, surveillance of cases, and promotion of healthy behaviors. This category includes community and preventive medicine specialists, public health nurses, clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, environmental health officers, paramedics, epidemiologists, health inspectors, and others. On October 2014, Accretive Health participated in 2014 Physician Advisor Symposium that aims to help physician advisors to provide more experience on best practices in their field.
Traditional and complementary medicine practitioners
In many societies, practitioners of traditional medicine or alternative medicine are an important primary health care provider, either as integrated within or remaining outside the formal health care system. These include practitioners in acupuncture, Ayurveda, herbalism, homeopathy, naturopathy, Siddha medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Korean medicine, and Unani.
Practice conditions and regulations
Shortages of health professionals
See also: Health workforce, Doctor shortage and Nursing shortage
Many jurisdictions report shortfalls in the number of trained health human resources to meet population health needs and/or service delivery targets, especially in medically underserved areas. For example, in the United States, the 2010 federal budget invested $330 million to increase the number of doctors, nurses, and dentists practicing in areas of the country experiencing shortages of health professionals. The Budget expands loan repayment programs for physicians, nurses, and dentists who agree to practice in medically underserved areas. This funding will enhance the capacity of nursing schools to increase the number of nurses. It will also allow states to increase access to oral health care through dental workforce development grants. The Budget’s new resources will sustain the expansion of the health care workforce funded in the Recovery Act.[6]
In Canada, the 2011 federal budget announced a Canada Student Loan forgiveness programme to encourage and support new family physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses to practise in underserved rural or remote communities of the country, including communities that provide health services to First Nations and Inuit populations.[7]
In Uganda, the Ministry of Health reports that as many as 50% of staffing positions for health workers in rural and underserved areas remain vacant. As of early 2011, the Ministry was conducting research and costing analyses to determine the most appropriate attraction and retention packages for medical officers, nursing officers, pharmacists, and laboratory technicians in the country’s rural areas.[8]
At the international level, the World Health Organization estimates a shortage of almost 4.3 million doctors, midwives, nurses, and support workers worldwide to meet target coverage levels of essential primary health care interventions.[9] The shortage is reported most severe in 57 of the poorest countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
Health and stress among health care practitioners
Occupational stress is highly prevalent among health professionals.[10] Some studies suggest that workplace stress is pervasive in the health care industry because of inadequate staffing levels, long work hours, exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous substances leading to illness or death, and in some countries threat of malpractice litigation. The consequences of this stress can include substance abuse, suicide, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, all of which occur at higher rates in health professionals than the general working population. Elevated levels of stress are also linked to high rates of burnout, absenteeism and diagnostic errors, and to reduced rates of patient satisfaction.[11] In Canada, a national report Canada's Health Care Providers also indicated higher rates of absenteeism due to illness or disability among health care workers compared to the rest of the working population, although those working in health care reported similar levels of good health and fewer reports of being injured at work.[12] Exposure to respiratory infectious diseases like tuberculosis (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and influenza can be reduced with the use of respirators; this exposure is a significant occupational hazard for health care professionals.[13]
Female health care workers may face specific types of workplace-related health conditions and stress. According to the World Health Organization, women predominate in the formal health workforce in many countries, and are prone to musculoskeletal injury (caused by physically demanding job tasks such as lifting and moving patients) and burnout. Female health workers are exposed to hazardous drugs and chemicals in the workplace which may cause adverse reproductive outcomes such as spontaneous abortion and congenital malformations. In some contexts, female health workers are also subject to gender-based violence including from coworkers and patients.[14][15] Health professionals are also at risk for contracting blood-borne diseases like hepatitis B and hepatitis C through needlestick injuries or through contact with bodily fluids.[16]
Violence in the workplace subjects almost every healthcare worker to higher risk of on-the-job injury. Drunk, confused, and hostile patients and visitors are a continual threat to providers attempting to treat patients. Frequently, assault and violence in a healthcare setting goes unreported and is wrongly assumed to be part of the job. In the United States, healthcare workers suffer 2/3 of nonfatal workplace violence incidents.[17]
In an ever changing work environment, health care providers face serious hazards on the job, including needlestick injuries, back injuries, violence, slips and falls, and stress. It is important for occupational health professionals within healthcare facilities to monitor occupational injuries and illnesses so that they can keep the workforce healthy. The Occupational Health Safety Network (OHSN) is a secure electronic surveillance system developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to address health and safety risks among health care providers. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities can upload the occupational injury data they already collect to the secure database for analysis and benchmarking with other de-identified facilities from throughout the U.S. NIOSH works with OHSN participants in identifying and implementing timely and targeted interventions. OHSN modules currently focus on three high risk and preventable events that can lead to injuries or musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare providers: musculoskeletal injuries from patient handling activities; slips, trips, and falls; and workplace violence. OHSN enrollment is open to all healthcare facilities.[17]
Regulation and registration of professionals
Main article: Health professional requisites
Practicing without a license that is valid and current is typically illegal. In most jurisdictions, the provision of health care services is regulated by the government. Individuals found to be providing medical, nursing or other professional services without the appropriate certification or license may face sanctions and criminal charges leading to a prison term. The number of professions subject to regulation, requisites for individuals to receive professional licensure, and nature of sanctions that can be imposed for failure to comply vary across jurisdictions.
In the United States, under Michigan state laws, an individual is guilty of felony if identified as practicing in the health profession without a valid personal license or registration. Health professionals can also be imprisoned if found guilty of practicing beyond the limits allowed by their licences and registration. The state laws define the scope of practice for medicine, nursing, and a number of allied health professions.[18][unreliable source?] In Florida, practicing medicine without the appropriate license is a crime classified as a third degree felony,[19] which may give imprisonment up to five years. Practicing a health care profession without a license which results in serious bodily injury classifies as a second degree felony,[19] providing up to 15 years' imprisonment.
In the United Kingdom, healthcare professionals are regulated by the state; the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) protects the 'title' of each profession it regulates. For example, it is illegal for someone to call himself an Occupational Therapist or Radiographer if they are not on the register held by the HCPC.
See also
- List of healthcare occupations
- Community health center
- Catholic Church and health care
- Chronic care management
- Electronic superbill
- Geriatric care management
- Health care
- Health human resources
- Health insurance
- Health insurance cooperative
- Health policy
- Health system
- United States Department of Health and Human Services
References
- ^ World Health Organization, 2006. World Health Report 2006: working together for health. Geneva: WHO.
- ^ World Health Organization, 2010. Classifying health workers. Geneva http://www.who.int/hrh/statistics/Health_workers_classification.pdf
- ^ "Difference Between Psychologists and Psychiatrists". Psychology.about.com. 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
- ^ Gupta N et al. “Human resources for maternal, newborn and child health: from measurement and planning to performance for improved health outcomes. Human Resources for Health, 2011, 9(16). Accessed 20 October 2011.
- ^ Gupta N et al. "Health-related rehabilitation services: assessing the global supply of and need for human resources." BMC Health Services Research, 2011, 11:276. Published 17 October 2011. Accessed 20 October 2011.
- ^ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/A_New_Era_of_Responsibility2.pdf
- ^ Government of Canada. 2011. Canada's Economic Action Plan: Forgiving Loans for New Doctors and Nurses in Under-Served Rural and Remote Areas. Ottawa, 22 March 2011. Accessed 23 March 2011.
- ^ Rockers P et al. Determining Priority Retention Packages to Attract and Retain Health Workers in Rural and Remote Areas in Uganda. CapacityPlus Project. February 2011.
- ^ "The World Health Report 2006 - Working together for health". Geneva: WHO: World Health Organization. 2006.
- ^ Ruotsalainen, Jani H.; Verbeek, Jos H.; Mariné, Albert; Serra, Consol (8 December 2014). "Preventing occupational stress in healthcare workers". Cochrane Occupational Safety and Health Group, Cochrane Collaboration. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002892.pub4.
- ^ "Exposure to Stress: Occupational Hazards in Hospitals". NIOSH Publication No. 2008–136. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 2 December 2008.
- ^ Canadian Institute for Health Information. Canada's Health Care Providers, 2007. Ottawa, 2007.
- ^ Bergman, Michael; Zhuang, Ziqing; Shaffer, Ronald E. (25 July 2013). "Advanced Headforms for Evaluating Respirator Fit". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ World Health Organization. Women and health: today's evidence, tomorrow's agenda. Geneva, 2009. Retrieved on March 9, 2011.
- ^ Swanson, Naomi; Tisdale-Pardi, Julie; MacDonald, Leslie; Tiesman], Hope M. (13 May 2013). "Women’s Health at Work". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ Cunningham, Thomas; Burnett, Garrett (17 May 2013). "Does your workplace culture help protect you from hepatitis?". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ a b Hartley, Dan; Ridenour, Marilyn (12 August 2013). "Free On-line Violence Prevention Training for Nurses". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ wiki.bmezine.com --> Practicing Medicine. In turn citing Michigan laws
- ^ a b CHAPTER 2004-256 Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 1118 State of Florida, Department of State.
External links
- World Health Organization: Health workers
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