Lecture 5 - Health Care Professionals

primary role of physicians

Maintain or restore patient health through diagnosis and treatment of disease or injury.

Why are physicians important to pharmacy?

They prescribe most medications, creating demand for pharmacy products and services.

First US medical school

College of Philadelphia (now University of Pennsylvania), established in 1765.

What is the difference between didactic and practicum training?

• Didactic = classroom learning

• practicum = hands-on clinical experience.

Flexner Report of 1910

A report recommending higher medical school standards

• four years of education, and closure or consolidation of proprietary schools.

How is the four-year medical school curriculum organized?

• M1–M2: primarily didactic courses

• M3–M4: clinical clerkships and rotations.

What are the two medical degrees?

• MD = Doctor of Medicine

• DO = Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

How do MDs and DOs differ?

• MDs practice allopathic medicine

• DOs practice evidence-based medicine with additional emphasis on holistic care, prevention, and the musculoskeletal system.

What are the similarities between MDs and DOs?

Both can diagnose and treat disease using medications, surgery, and accepted medical treatments.

What are the three steps of physician licensure according to the lecture?

• Step 1 during medical school year 2

• Step 2 during year 4

• Step 3 during the first year of residency.

What is continuing medical education (CME)?

Ongoing education physicians complete to maintain professional competence and meet applicable requirements.

Is medical specialty board certification mandatory?

No. Specialty certification is voluntary and demonstrates additional expertise.

What is the difference between medical licensure and specialty certification?

• Licensure permits medical practice;

• specialty certification demonstrates advanced expertise in a particular field.

Where do physicians practice?

Hospitals, physician offices, public health departments, community health centers, government agencies, and multiple outpatient settings.

What is physician maldistribution?

An undesirable distribution of physicians causing shortages or surpluses relative to population needs.

What is geographic maldistribution?

Unequal distribution of physicians across locations, especially shortages in rural areas.

What is specialty maldistribution?

An imbalance between primary care physicians and specialists.

What is the primary role of nurses?

Promote health, prevent illness and injury, relieve suffering, provide patient care, and advocate for patients.

What are the two entry-level nursing designations?

• RN (Registered Nurse)

• LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse).

What is the difference between an RN and LPN?

• RNs require more education and have a broader scope of practice

• LPNs often work under RN supervision.

What are the four advanced practice nursing roles?

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)

• Nurse Practitioner (NP)

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM).

What does a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) do?

Provides specialized nursing care, often in hospitals, in areas such as oncology, neonatal, cardiac, or psychiatric care.

What does a Nurse Practitioner (NP) do?

Provides advanced clinical care, often in primary care settings.

What does a CRNA do?

Manages anesthesia during surgical procedures.

What does a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) do?

Delivers babies and manages care for mothers and healthy newborns.

What are the three educational pathways to become an RN?

Bachelor's degree (BSN), associate degree (ADN), or approved nursing diploma program.

What additional education is required for advanced practice nurses?

Graduate education such as a master's or doctoral degree plus national specialty certification.

What is the difference between DNP and PhD in nursing?

• DNP focuses on advanced clinical practice;

• PhD focuses on academic research.

NCLEX

National Council Licensure Examination required for nursing licensure.

What is the difference between NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN?

• NCLEX-RN is for registered nurses;

• NCLEX-PN is for practical nurses.

Where do LPNs commonly work?

Nursing homes, home health care, hospice, hospitals, and physician offices; often assisting with daily living activities.

Where do RNs and APNs practice?

• Most RNs work in hospitals

• APNs work in varied settings with independence and prescriptive authority depending on state and role.

What is the role of a physician assistant (PA)?

Practices medicine in a team environment, performing exams, diagnosing and treating illness, ordering tests, developing treatment plans, and prescribing medications.

What determines a PA's scope of practice according to the lecture?

State law and the supervising physician.

How long is PA education and what does it include?

Approximately 27 months of didactic education, experiential learning, and clinical rotations.

What organization accredits PA programs?

Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

What examination must PAs pass?

Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), administered by NCCPA.

Where do PAs commonly work?

group medical practices, hospitals, and physician practices.

What is a pharmacy technician?

A pharmacy worker who assists a licensed pharmacist with tasks not requiring professional pharmacist judgment.

Who supervises pharmacy technicians?

A licensed pharmacist.

What determines pharmacy technician education and licensure requirements?

State regulations, which vary in education, training, certification, registration, and licensure.

What national certification examination is available for pharmacy technicians?

Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE).

Where do most pharmacy technicians work?

Retail pharmacies (over 75% according to the lecture)

• also hospitals, mail-order pharmacies, and military settings.

What tasks can pharmacy technicians perform?

Prescription entry, counting, labeling, customer assistance, insurance claims, inventory control, and recordkeeping under pharmacist supervision.

What tasks are prohibited for pharmacy technicians according to the lecture?

Independent drug regimen review, patient counseling, clinical conflict resolution, therapy modification, and dispensing validation, among other professional-judgment activities.

What is the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist?

• Optometrist (OD): primary vision care and corrective lenses

• ophthalmologist: medical physician specializing in eye disease and surgery.

What does a social worker do?

Helps individuals and families manage social, emotional, financial, housing, and other life challenges.

What does a podiatrist do?

Diagnoses and treats disorders of the foot and lower leg; degree is DPM.

What does a dentist do?

Diagnoses and treats diseases of teeth and oral tissues; DDS or DMD.

What is the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist?

• Psychologist: specializes in mental health assessment and therapy

• psychiatrist: medical physician specializing in mental disorders.

What does a dietitian/nutritionist do?

Plans nutrition programs and promotes health through dietary recommendations.

What is the difference between occupational and physical therapy?

• Occupational therapy helps patients perform daily living and work activities

• physical therapy improves movement, reduces pain, and restores physical function.

What does a recreational therapist do?

Uses recreation, sports, music, arts, and other activities to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being.