HSC100 – Final Study Guide
HSC100 – Final Study Guide
Course Information
Course Title: HSC100: Introduction to Healthcare & Healthcare Professions
Course Reference Number (CRN): Spring 2025
Class Info: SFCUA A212
Instructor: Professor Berger
Purpose of the Guide
This midterm study guide outlines key elements of the final seven (7) modules of HSC100.
It is not a substitute for lectures, textbooks, or supplemental materials.
The guide outlines topics to ensure students have the necessary understanding to pass the final examination.
Designed specifically for the course section and semester listed.
Final Examination Information
Date: May 19th, 2025
Location: LRC 224
Structure: 50 questions (multiple-choice & true/false)
Note:
The exam must be taken in class on a computer.
Students must arrive no later than 10 minutes before the exam starts unless allowed otherwise.
Module 8: Physicians, Surgeons, Podiatrists, Physician Assistant, Nursing
Types of Physicians:
Allopathic Doctor (MD)
Focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases primarily through drugs, surgery, and conventional means (evidence-based "Western medicine").
Osteopathic Doctor (DO)
Emphasizes holistic approaches, interconnections of body systems, and the body's ability to heal itself.
Physician Assistant (PA):
Primary purpose is to provide personal health services to patients, allowing physicians to focus on complex cases.
Must engage in ongoing education to maintain licensure.
Registered Nurses (RNs):
Key personal qualities for success include care, responsibility, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
Some nursing career paths (forensic nursing, infection control nurses, medical writers) may have minimal patient contact, yet require RN licensure.
Module 9: Dentistry, Dietetics, Pharmacy, Optometry
Dental Schools:
Highly selective; award either Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
Graduation from an accredited school and passing written and practical exams required to practice.
Dental Specialties:
Orthodontists
Periodontists
Oral pathologists
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Prosthodontists
Oral and maxillofacial radiologists
Pediatric dentists
Endodontists
Dental public health specialists
Dietetics Roles:
Clinical Dietitian Nutritionist: Provides medical nutrition therapy in healthcare settings.
Community Dietitian Nutritionist: Evaluates nutritional needs and communicates nutrition principles.
Business Dietitian Nutritionist: Develops marketing strategies and wellness programs in corporate settings.
Consultant Dietitian Nutritionist: Offers specialized nutrition advice to individuals and organizations.
Pharmacy Technician Roles:
Increasing involvement in patient care, administrative duties (like answering phones).
Attributes for success: basic math, reading and spelling skills, attention to detail, communication skills.
Optometry Roles:
Dispensing Optician: Manages work orders for lens grinding but doesn’t adjust glasses; this is done by optometrists.
Non-Radiological Diagnostic Tools:
Professions include vascular technologists, cardiac sonographers, cardiographic technicians.
Tools include ECGs, Holter monitors, and stress tests.
Ultrasonography:
Utilizes sound waves for imaging; low-cost, effective diagnostic tool in obstetrics and cardiology.
Module 10: Communication Impairment Professionals, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapy
Communication Impairment Professions:
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): Assesses and treats communication/swallowing disorders in all ages; predominant in educational services.
Audiologist: Diagnoses and treats hearing/balance disorders; consulted in industries like military and music for hearing protection.
Physical Therapy Assistants:
Should be organized, possess physical stamina, detail-oriented, and have strong interpersonal skills.
Occupational Therapy Techniques:
Occupational therapists enable individuals to develop daily living skills and cope with disabilities; assistants help implement rehabilitation plans.
Module 11: Athletic Trainers, Exercise Physiologists, Kinesiotherapists, Chiropractors, Mental Health Professionals
Differences in Roles:
Athletic Trainers: Prevent, diagnose, and treat sports-related injuries.
Exercise Physiologists: Design exercise programs for recovery from diseases.
Kinesiotherapists: Treat movement problems through rehabilitation and education.
Chiropractor Treatments:
Avoid pharmacological/surgical methods; focus on non-invasive techniques.
Treat disorders of musculoskeletal and nervous systems; no evidence for treatment of other systems.
Psychology Definition:
“A scientific approach to analyzing why people act as they do; insight into human behavior and processes.”
Types of Mental Health Professionals:
Substance Abuse Counselors: Develop treatment plans with client input.
Personnel Psychologists: Focus on workplace productivity.
Developmental Psychologists: Study growth and change through the lifespan.
Behavioral Disorder Counselors: Assist individuals with emotional and behavioral issues.
Module 12: Social Workers, Health Care Administration
Social Worker Employment Settings:
Include child welfare agencies, correctional facilities, mental health clinics, and veteran’s clinics.
Social Worker Nomenclature:
Clinical social workers and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) have similar roles.
Types of Social Workers and Their Roles:
Healthcare Social Workers: Assist with patient care planning.
School Social Workers: Address issues affecting students’ academic and emotional well-being.
Geriatric Social Workers: Help older adults navigate aging challenges.
Legal Social Workers: Support clients in legal matters related to child welfare, domestic violence, etc.
Healthcare Administration Hierarchy:
Assistant administrators support chief executives (CEOs) in healthcare facilities.
Clinical Manager Role:
Implements policies/procedures and evaluates quality in clinical care settings.
Future of Healthcare Management:
Healthcare managers must adapt to technological innovations and a complex regulatory environment.
Module 13: Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, Radiation Technology, Respiratory Care Practitioners
Tools for EMTs:
Use specific tools like backboards for suspected spinal injuries during patient transport.
EMTs Transportation Roles:
Transport patients to various medical facilities, including trauma centers and nursing facilities.
Radiation Risks:
Continued radiation exposure can be harmful; federal legislation exists for operator training.
Radiologic Technology Role:
Serves in diagnostics (CT scan, X-ray) and therapeutic treatments like cancer cell elimination.
Respiratory Therapists:
Use equipment like ventilators; assist in providing respiratory therapies; demand increases with an aging population.
Module 14: Clinical Laboratory Personnel, Alternative Therapies, Health Information Personnel, Medical Assistants
Clinical Lab Personnel Professions:
Includes clinical chemists, microbiologists, pathologists, medical lab technicians, and phlebotomists.
Phlebotomist Techniques:
Blood Drawing Methods:
Skin Puncture: For glucose testing;
Venipuncture: For routine lab tests;
Arterial Puncture: For measuring arterial blood gases;
Capillary Puncture: For newborn screenings.
Alternative Therapies:
Definitions and Types:
Focus outside conventional medicine; holistic healing approaches.
Recreational Therapy: Improves well-being via structured activity.
Massage Therapy: Manipulates soft tissues for relief.
Dance Therapy: Uses movement for emotional and cognitive integration.
Art Therapy: Encourages expression for emotional processing.
Health Information Personnel Roles:
Manage health data for accuracy and security; includes privacy officers and clinical documentation specialists.
Non-Licensed Direct Patient Care Positions:
Orderlies, nursing assistants, and geriatric aides assist with basic patient care.
Training and Medical Care in Veterinary Medicine:
Involves training animals for various purposes, including performance and assisting individuals with disabilities.
Veterinarians and veterinary technologists play critical roles in animal healthcare.