Chapter 1 Review

How have medical advancements changed the way physicians treat patients?

A hundred years ago, physicians would go door to door carrying a single black bag. They could diagnose some diseases but could not treat many. Physicians were able to diagnose diseases 50 years later, and could treat some of them too. New research and technological advancements allowed illnesses to be cured. (sulfa drugs and penicillin for meningitis, insulin for diabetes, x-rays for broken bones, and vaccines for smallpox and tetanus) Now, patients receive life-saving care at hospitals. (heart bypass operations, heart valve replacements, and kidney transplants, infusion of clot-busting drugs for stroke, treating some cancers)

Who is considered to be the founder of modern nursing and what did she do?

Florence Nightingale is considered to be the founder of modern nursing. She established good nursing standards and focused on hygiene. Nursing as a profession has lasted only 150 years.

How do we benefit from ancient treatments and remedies?

Some spiritual and herbal treatments should be accepted into healthcare because they can be beneficial. For example, Benjamin Carson, a highly regarded neurosurgeon, used prayer in his practice of medicine. Green tea has a lot of antioxidant benefits.

What did ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Arabic/ Islamic civilization each establish that was beneficial to the healthcare field?

Egypt established accurate health records. Greece researched physical causes of diseases, and Rome built aqueducts and sewers to improve sanitation and prevent disease. The Arabic/Islamic civilization created universal health care and licencing for doctors and pharmacists.

What has Western medicine traditionally rejected?

It has rejected forms of healthcare that don’t focus on physical signs of illness. (alternative, complementary, and integrative therapies) Physicians have realized that it is better to take a more holistic approach.

Why don’t people accept new medical practices immediately after research has proven they are useful?

For there to be changes in healthcare practice, both the healthcare workers and consumers have to accept it.

In the 1960’s and 1970s, mothers were told to place infants facedown or on the side when sleeping. New research has shown that sleeping facedown increases the risk for what?

Sleeping facedown increased the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) started a campaign in 1994 called “Back to Sleep” to lower the risk of SIDS. Since then, the SIDS rates have declined almost 50 percent.

It is estimated that the current medical knowledge doubles every ________ to ________ years.

6; 8

What is genomic medicine?

Genomic medicine is the specialized medical care based on a patient’s unique set of chromosomes and genes. Since 1% of genes are different, scientists can study those genes to predict, prevent, and treat diseases.

What will genomic medicine do in the future?

It will be able to treat certain diseases, and maybe even chronic ones like heart disease or cancer. More vaccines will be administered by mouth, nose, or skin patches. Gene therapy will also be impactful.

What is regenerative medicine?

Regenerative medicine is the use of stem cells to create organs and tissues. It will be able to eliminate the problem of organ transplant rejection. There are two types of stem cells. The use of embryonic stem cells (stem cells discarded embryos) is controversial, although more can be accomplished with these stem cells compared to adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are used for bone marrow transplants for severe forms of blood cancer and anemia.

What are three imaging techniques that are used today?

We use computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasounds to help visualize what is going on in a patient’s body. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans allow images to be rotated, providing doctors with a better view of what is going on.

When will traditional colonoscopies be used for in the future?

They will only be used to remove polyps to prevent colon cancer.

What devices have nanotechnology created?

Nanotechnology has developed stents and pacemakers. Stents keep arteries open and pacemakers regulate heartbeat. Pacemakers are now smaller than a matchbook. Nanotechnology strives to create devices so small they cannot be seen by a microscope.

How is nanotechnology changing surgery?

Catheters can be used to treat abdominal and brain aneurysms. Aneurysms are the weakening of blood vessels. Surgery will become more precise and there will be less risk. Many procedures will become outpatient procedures. Hernia repairs, cataract surgery, and laser surgery to improve vision are examples of procedures that do not require hospital stays.

How are robots being used to improve surgery?

Robots can act as practice dummies to stimulate surgery on a patient. This prepares the surgeon for surgery. Telesurgery will allow people to have more access to healthcare.

How is computer technology changing the way health records are stored?

They are leading to electronic health records (EHR). EHRs help healthcare workers deal with emergency situations because they can be accessed anywhere as long as there is a stable wifi connection. The military is experimenting with this by putting medical information into soldiers’ dog tags.

Why are patients starting to turn back to alternative, complementary, and integrative therapies?

Patients are finding pain relief while using fewer medications and surgeries. Since many of these therapies are not covered by insurance, patients must be finding them effective. Hospitals, universities, and medical schools have established centers for integrative medicine. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) created a National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). As research confirms the benefits of these treatments, they will slowly integrate into Western medicine.

How fast are healthcare costs rising?

Healthcare costs are rising faster than the rate of inflation and the growth in national income. Premiums have risen over 100 percent in the past decade.

Why are healthcare costs rising so quickly?

The development of new technology is costing more. Complex, effective treatments are expensive. Americans are also living longer due to better treatments for chronic diseases. Poor lifestyle in children and teens (obesity and diabetes) is increasing.

How much does healthcare for a family of four cost?

It costs about $20,000 a year. A family’s out-of-pocket costs for healthcare are often greater than all the other expenses except for housing. If insurance is offered by an employer, the average worker pays around $400 to $500 each month.

Why are a growing number of middle class individuals and families unable to receive insurance coverage?

This is because there is a gap in the insurance scheme. Low-income families can qualify for Medicaid and older individuals can receive Medicare. In 2013, 50 million Americans lacked basic health insurance and only paid for it in an emergency. Hospitals and taxpayers spend $43 billion dollars a year to cover the costs.

Why is a shortage of primary care physicians becoming a problem?

Since many American physicians chose to specialize in a certain field of medicine, many foreign born doctors come to America to fill those positions. In rural areas, this is becoming a problem.

What are some cost-containment measures taken in the healthcare industry?

Treatments are now being classified in diagnostic related groups (DRGs) that reduce costs based on a patient’s specific condition. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) write contracts between insurance companies and healthcare providers to offer preventative care for free or at little cost. Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) require members to chose healthcare providers within their organization. These establishments have not successfully lower the rising cost of healthcare.

When was the Affordable Care Act passed and what does it do?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed on March 23, 2010. It requires most Americans to have insurance by 2014, created a healthcare exchange or marketplace in each state, and expanded Medicaid to cover low income individuals. Also, it requires employers with more than 50 employers to offer health insurance, for health insurance to cover all individuals regardless of health status, increasing payment for primary care services, eliminating co-payments for special preventative care services, and increasing support for prevention, wellness, and preventative care services.

What do career clusters contain?

There are 16 main career clusters. They contain a specific group of occupations and industries based on similar knowledge and skills that they require. Within a career cluster, there are many career pathways. In the Health Science career cluster, there are five career pathways: Health Informatics Services, Therapeutic Services, Diagnostic Services, Support Services, and Biotechnology Research and Development.

How is the healthcare field growing?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a national agency that tracks occupations and industries in the US, predicts that the healthcare and social assistance sector will add five million jobs between 2012 and 2022. This accounts for nearly 1/3 of the increase in jobs. 14/30 of the occupations that expect the most growth are in healthcare. Healthcare support occupations and healthcare practitioner and technical occupations are expected to grow by 28.1 and 21.5 percent. This growing industry is backed up by the aging baby boomer generation and a longer life expectancy. People born in 1900, 2000, and 2010 live around 49, 77, and 78.7 years.

How does one obtain a PhD?

It takes 4 or more additional years after a bachelor’s degree (BS or BA). The degree awarded is the Doctor of Philosophy. One can receive this degree at a university or graduate school.

How does one obtain a master’s degree (MS or MA)?

It takes 2 or more additional years after a bachelor’s degree (BS or BA). One can receive this degree at a university or graduate school.

How does one obtain a bachelor’s degree (BS or BA)?

It takes a 4-year technical program. One can receive this degree at a university or undergraduate school.

How does one obtain an associate’s degree?

It takes a 2-year technical program. One can receive this degree at a community or technical college.

How does one obtain a diploma?

It takes a 1-year technical program. One can receive a diploma at a community or technical college.

How does one obtain a certificate?

It takes less than a year for a technical program. One can receive a certificate at a community or technical college.

What is the difference between certification, licensure, and registration?

Certification means one has completed a course of study. Licensure is awarded after one passes a licensure exam that proves he or she meets the qualifications. Registration refers to the official record of people who have passed an examination and are qualified to perform the tasks of a specific occupation.

What is the difference between a technologist, therapist, technician, aide, and assistant?

Technologists and therapists have a bachelors degree, or often a master’s degree. Some exceptions are respiratory therapists and surgical technologists because they both can be associate degree programs.Technicians require an associate’s degree. Some exceptions are pharmacy and healthcare technicians, which require only one year or less of education and training. Aides and assistants require a diploma or certificate program requiring one year or less of education and training. Some exceptions are occupational therapy assistants and a physical therapy assistants, because they are both associate degree programs.

What is the career ladder?

It is the progression of jobs within a specific occupation. As one moves up the ladder, the salary, experience, and required education all increase.

What is the career ladder for nursing?

The career ladder for nursing goes from a Certified Nursing Assistant, to a Licensed Practical Nurse, to a Registered Nurse (ADN or BSN), to a Nurse Practitioner/ Nurse Midwife/ Nurse Anesthetist (MSN), to a Dean of Nursing Education (DNS or PhD).

What are the eleven healthcare foundational standards developed by the National Healthcare Skill Standards?

The standards are academic foundation, communications, systems, employability skills, legal responsibilities, ethics, safety practices, teamwork, health maintenance practices, technical skills, and information technology applications.