Running head: HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS 1
Healthcare Providers and Professionals
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS 2
Healthcare Providers and Professionals
Introduction
A career in the healthcare field involves a commitment to promote wellbeing and prevent
disease. Medical doctors and nursing practitioners embrace the perspectives of service,
teamwork, compassion, safety, knowledge, and flexibility. The U.S healthcare system comprises
diverse medical professionals and providers, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and
dentists (Shi & Singh, 2010). Physicians diagnose and administer treatment to patients while
nurses serve the mental, emotional and physical needs of patients. Dentists offer a diagnosis and
treatment of dental problems that relate to gums, teeth and mouth tissues. Pharmacists are
responsible for dispensing medicines (Sochalski, 2002). These healthcare professionals work
collaboratively in practice settings to ensure patients obtain valuable and quality care that meets
their expectations.
5Compare and Contrast Two of the Major Types of Health Services Professionals
Physicians play a crucial role in diagnosing diseases and treating patients (Cooper, 1994).
They commence practice upon licensure whose requirements encompass qualification from a
recognized school of medicine that awards a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or Doctor of
Medicine (MD) degree (Shi & Singh, 2010). The successful completion of the examination
involving licensing as well as the completion of a residency program or supervised internship
that guarantees the qualifications of a physician. Physicians practice in various settings in the
United States and one is compelled to choose between a DO and MD. MDs practice with a close
focus on diagnosing illnesses and administering treatment using radiation, surgery, or drugs
(Starfield & Simpson, 1993). DOs offer a holistic approach towards treatment and involves extra
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS 3
training in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. Both MDs and DOs select a specialty, perform
surgeries, prescribe medications and can practice in any location in the United States after state-
based credentialing and licensing.
A majority of physicians work in offices as either group or lone practitioners, outpatient
settings such as diagnostic imaging centers, managed care organizations, migrant health centers,
public health clinics, and hospitals (Sochalski, 2002). Nurses are medical professionals that work
collaboratively with physicians in healthcare settings. They are the foremost caregivers of the
injured and the sick by meeting their emotional, mental, and physical requirements (Cooper,
1994). The states necessitate the licensing of nurses to practice as registered nurses (RNs). The
necessities for license entail qualification from ratified nursing programs that award an
associated degree (ADN), bachelor’s degree (BSN) alongside the accomplishment of a national
examination (Shi & Singh, 2010). Nurses work in various settings such as nursing homes,
hospitals, private practices, migrant health centers, worksites, private and government agencies,
rehabilitation centers, surgical centers, and patient homes.
Physicians have a lengthy education period compared to nurses that follow fundamental
baccalaureate scheme to commence practice in paid work (Starfield & Simpson, 1993). The
length of education determines and influences the salary of each profession. As such, physicians
earn higher salaries compared to nurses. Physicians have a huge responsibility in decision-
making processes. The licensing of both physicians and nurses differs as a result of specialty
(Rosenblatt, 1992). Nurses have diverse specialties while physicians are trained to have a single
path towards the intended specialization. A nurse’s license is diverse despite the specialty
because of the different roles they play in healthcare settings. Nurses give prescriptions, perform
procedures, make a diagnosis, and maintain a patient’s steady progress based on the specialty.
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS 4
However, physicians have a larger role than that of nurses despite that their shortage places
nurses in their positions to serve patient needs (Schroeder, 1992). The physician role remains
superior to that of nurses as they can overrule the actions and judgment of nurses. Nurses
develop a closer and intimate relationship with patients compared to physicians. Physicians
barely have time to sit beside patients and interact as the case of nurses who are always with the
patient from admission up to discharge.
5The Interrelationship between Medical Providers and Professionals in Serving Patients
Healthcare professionals and providers develop interrelationships when working
collaboratively in healthcare settings. Primary care is distinguished from specialty care as a result
of the focus, scope, and time that services are delivered to patients. Primary care physicians
develop an initial contact of care with patients so that specialty care follows (Shi & Singh, 2010).
The scope of primary care when addressing patient needs involves the whole person while
specialty care is focused on organ systems and diseases. Primary care encompasses disease
prevention, counseling, diagnosis, treatment, patient education, health maintenance along with
chronic and acute illnesses. Specialty care involves a limited scope of service when addressing
patient needs (Rosenblatt, 1992). Allied healthcare professionals comprise assistants or
technicians and technologists or therapists. Technicians and assistants entail certified
occupational therapy assistants, physical therapy assistants, radiologic technicians, respiratory
therapy technicians, and medical laboratory technicians (Shi & Singh, 2010). Therapists and
technologists comprise occupational therapists, social workers, speech-language pathologists,
medical dietetics, and physical therapists. These healthcare professionals play an integral role in
the delivery of healthcare services to patients by complementing the nursing and physician
workforce.
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS 5
Health service administrators deliver health services at different levels of the practice
setting. They play roles ranging from planning and coordinating functions, providing strategic
and leadership direction alongside overseeing and assisting with operations that are vital for the
continuity of the departmental unit. Psychologists work collaboratively with physicians and
nurses to assess the mental health condition of patients. They are certified and licensed
healthcare professionals whose knowledge and expertise is essential for physicians to diagnose
and treat patients effectively. Nonphysician primary care providers entail physician assistants
(PAs), nurse practitioners (NPs) and certified nurse-midwives (Shi & Singh, 2010). They play a
vital role in providing primary care mainly to underrepresented populations. PAs and NPs
provide care that is correspondent to that which is offered by physicians. As such, patients
express more satisfaction with NPs compared to physicians because of the more time they
commit to addressing their problems (Grossman, 1995). NPS portray greater individual concern
in patients and offer medical care at a lower cost.
HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND PROFESSIONALS 6
References
Cooper, R. A. (1994). Seeking a balanced physician workforce for the 21st
century.5JAMA,5272(9), 680-687.
Grossman, D. (1995). Career guide: APNs: Pioneers in patient care.5The American journal of
nursing, 54-56.
Rosenblatt, R. A. (1992). Specialists or generalists: on whom should we base the American
health care system?5JAMA,5267(12), 1665-1666.
Schroeder, S. A. (1992). Physician supply and the US medical marketplace.5Health
Affairs,511(1), 235-243.
Shi, L., & Singh, D. (2010). Health Care Providers and Professionals.5Essentials of The US
Health Care System. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 1-25.
Sochalski, J. (2002). Nursing shortage redux: Turning the corner on an enduring problem.5Health
Affairs,521(5), 157-164.
Starfield, B., & Simpson, L. (1993). Primary care as part of US health services
reform.5JAMA,5269(24), 3136-3139.
