Chapter Three

Providers of Health Care Services

 Learning Objectives
• Understand the common categories of health
care providers
• Articulate the similarities and differences
between a medical doctor and a doctor of
osteopathic medicine
• Explain the similarities and differences between
a psychologist and a psychiatrist
• Contrast the duties performed by the three
levels of nurses.
 Learning Objectives, cont…
• Summarize the various types of rehabilitation
professionals and the duties of their specialties of
care
• Differentiate the responsibilities of radiologic and
imaging professionals
• Value the importance of collaboration among
health care providers within or across specialties
• Describe the projected job outlook for the
various health care occupations
 Overview
• Today’s health care environment comprises a
wide variety of educated individuals with many
different skills who must work together to
provide quality medical care services for the
individuals who seek their care
• Provision of health care in the United States is a
team effort, with each individual care provider
contributing his or her own knowledge and
skills toward the success of the team as a whole
 Overview, cont…
• Essential to have an understanding of the
various categories of health care providers,
their education and scope of practice, and
they ways they interact as they work
 Primary Care Physicians
• Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
 Primary Care Assistants
• Physician Assistant
• Nurse Practitioner
 Specialty Care Providers
• Allergy and immunology • Neurosurgery
• Anesthesiology • Obstetrics and gynecology
• Cardiology • Oncology
• Chiropractic • Ophthalmology
• • Orthopedics
Dermatology
• Otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat
• Endocrinology
specialists)
• Gastroenterology • Pathology
• General surgery • Pediatrics
• Geriatrics • Podiatry
• Hematology • Physiatry
• Immunology • Plastic surgery
• Infectious disease • Pulmonary
• Medical genetics • Radiology
• Nephrology • Rheumatology
• Neurology • Urology
 Dental Care Professionals
• Dentist
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Assistant
 Mental Health Care Providers
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Registered Nurse – Psychiatric Mental Health
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse –
Psychiatric Mental Health
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Social Workers
 Nurses
• Registered Nurse
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Certified Nursing Assistant
 Radiologic and Imaging
• Radiologic technician
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• Radiation Therapist
Rehabilitation Professionals and Therapists
• Aroma therapists
• Art therapists
• Audiologists
• Behavioral therapists
• Biofeedback therapists
• Certified athletic trainers
• Child life specialists
• Dance therapists
• Grief therapists
• Horticultural therapists
• Hypnotherapists
• Kinesiotherapists
• Massage therapists
• Music therapists
• Myotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Occupational therapy assistants and
aides
• Orientation and mobility specialists
• Orthotists
• Physical therapists
• Physical therapy assistants
• Prosthetists
• Recreation therapists
• Respiratory therapists and technicians
• Speech-language pathologists
• Substance abuse counselors
 Collaboration in Health Care
• A clear call has been made by the Institute of
Medicine for an increase in team collaboration
by all types of health care providers in all settings
– Without team collaboration, patient safety is at risk
for many reasons, especially when critical
information is not shared in a timely and complete
way, information is misinterpreted, phone or written
orders are unclear, and changes in patient status are
overlooked or not properly brought to the attention
of a supervising care provider
 Collaboration in Health Care
• It is necessary for all health care providers to
personally take active steps to become familiar
with the work of the other providers around
them, so that an understanding of cultures,
methods of care, and values can be instilled
• With a clear recognition of the needs of each
group of care providers, an environment of
support for the maximum effectiveness of each
provider will begin to grow
Employment Trends in Health Care
• Outlook remains extremely promising and strong
• Health care is the fastest-growing sector of the U.S.
economy, currently employing over 18 million workers
– Of this 18 million, women represent nearly 80 percent of
the overall health care workforce
• Growth is driven by the many technological advances
in patient care that will allow a greater number of
injuries and illnesses to be treated, which will lessen
both morbidity and mortality rates