Medical Careers

Chapter 25


Medical Careers



Learning Objectives



image Define at least 10 terms relating to careers in medicine and related fields.


image Specify the role of selected medical care providers, including personal qualities, levels of education, and credentialing requirements.


image Define visual acuity, and describe at least two methods used to determine it.


image Describe two types of electrocardiography used by medical personnel.



Key Terms











Medical Careers Terminology*







































































Term Definition Prefix Root Suffix
Electrocardiogram Record of the electrical activity of the heart electro cardio gram
Gynecology Study of women   gyne/c ology
Oncology Study of cancer   onc ology
Ophthalmic Pertaining to vision   ophthalm ic
Orthoptics Science of vision using both eyes orth opt ics
Osteopathy Therapeutic approach to medicine (literally, disease of bone) osteo path y
Phlebotomy Incision into a vessel   phleb otomy
Podiatrist One who treats the feet   pod/ia trist
Psychiatry Medicine dealing with mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders   psych/ia try
Psychology Study of the mind   psych ology


image


*A transition syllable or vowel may be added to or deleted from the word parts to make the combining form.




Abbreviations for Medical Careers









































Abbreviation Meaning
AMA American Medical Association
CMA Certified medical assistant
DO Doctor of osteopathy
DPM Doctor of podiatry
ECG Electrocardiogram
MA Medical assistant
MD Medical doctor
OB Obstetrician, obstetrics
PA Physician assistant
RMA Registered medical assistant
CST Certified surgical technologist



Careers


Physicians and other medical care personnel work with their patients in a close or primary relationship (Box 25-1). The function of medical care providers is to promote optimal health and provide care during illness. Physicians must complete one of the most demanding educational programs of all health careers. Acceptance in these programs is determined by excelling academically, as well as participating in leadership and extracurricular activities. Individuals in medical care must be self-motivated and able to work long hours under pressure (Table 25-1).



BOX 25-1   Medical Careers






Physicians


Two types of medical doctors exist: the MD (doctor of medicine) and DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine). Although osteopathic doctors are also physicians, the largest group of physicians providing direct care is the MDs, or allopathic physicians. The education for the MD includes 4 years of medical school after completion of a college or university degree. Additional training under the supervision of a practicing doctor is necessary for specialization. The additional training may be a 1-year internship that includes general training. Most physicians complete a residency, or training of several years, in an area of specialty.



image Brain Byte


The first surgery that was performed using general anesthesia (ether) occurred in 1842.


MDs provide care through all phases of life. About one third of MDs and one half of DOs are primary care physicians. They are usually the first doctor to see the patient, and they see patients on a regular basis. Some of the many areas of specialization in medicine include anesthesiology, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, and urology. Information regarding the specialty of psychiatry is provided in Chapter 30. Information regarding careers in pathology is provided in Chapter 22. Most MDs work in private practice, although an increasing number work for health maintenance organizations or as hospital staff. MDs are licensed by the state after successful completion of medical school and passing a comprehensive board examination. The American Board of Medical Specialists certifies doctors in more than 145 specialties and subspecialties.



Health Careers in Practice



image


PHYSICIAN—GENERAL SURGEON SPECIALIZING IN BREAST SURGERY


PRIVATE PRACTICE—OFFICE AND HOSPITAL










image Brain Byte


There are 158 medical schools in the United States; 130 awarding an MD and 28 awarding DO degrees.


Hospitals may hire a physician, physician assistant (PA), or nurse practitioner to serve as a hospitalist. The hospitalist acts as a case manager to integrate the care when a patient is hospitalized. The hospitalist provides patient care, teaching, and leadership for the health care team.


Ophthalmologists are MDs who diagnose and treat diseases of and injuries to the eyes. The ophthalmologist may prescribe medication and perform surgery. Ophthalmologists write prescriptions for glasses and give instruction for corrective eye exercise. Ophthalmology requires a medical degree and license to practice medicine, as well as specialty education and experience.


Education for the DO emphasizes the overall body and the physiology of movement. The philosophy of osteopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body is an integrated organism with a natural ability to resist disease and heal itself. In addition to using the modern tools of medicine, osteopaths are trained to perform manipulation. The moving or manipulation of muscles and bones is called biomechanics. The education for the DO is similar in length to that for the MD. After successful completion of an accredited program and a national examination, DOs are licensed by the state in which they practice. More than 14,000 osteopathic physicians work in the United States. To continue practice in many states, osteopathic physicians must complete at least 150 hours of continuing education every 3 years.



Other Medical Care Providers


Doctors of podiatric medicine, or podiatrists, treat common foot disorders by using corrective devices, orthopedic shoes, surgery, and medication. Podiatry school includes 4 years of classroom and clinical instruction following completion of at least 2 years of college. Podiatrists are licensed by the state and may be required to complete an internship to qualify. More than 10,000 podiatrists work in the United States.


The role of the PA is different from other health care professions in that it was not developed to meet the needs of advanced medical technology. It was developed to relieve some of the tasks performed by the MD to extend the availability of care. PAs, working under the direction of a physician, perform about 70% of the duties of the MD, including taking the patient history, conducting the physical examination, performing minor surgical procedures, and ordering diagnostic tests. The PA may be called a physician extender. In some states PAs may write prescriptions. New roles for the PA include serving as house staff in hospitals (hospitalist), emergency settings, and occupational health clinics. Most PA programs accept students with 2 years of college and prior experience in the health care industry. Education for the PA includes 2 years of classroom and clinical training. Three PA programs train surgeon assistants. Completion of the program may result in a certificate or academic degree. PAs may be registered or licensed by the state in which they practice. Every 6 years, they must be recertified on the basis of completing at least 100 hours of continuing education.



image Brain Byte


The most frequently consulted online medical resource is MEDLINE/PubMed.

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Apr 15, 2017 | Posted by in MEDICAL ASSISSTANT | Comments Off on Medical Careers

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