Allied health professional
Allied health professional
Allied health professional (pronunciation: /ˈaɪ.liːd hɛlθ prəˈfɛʃ.ən.əl/) refers to a broad group of health professionals who use scientific principles and evidence-based practice for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic diseases; promote disease prevention and wellness for optimum health, and apply administration and management skills to support health care systems in a variety of settings.
Etymology
The term "allied health" is believed to have been first used in the 1960s to identify a cluster of health professions that were not part of the traditional medical and nursing professions. The "allied" in "allied health" signifies a relationship with the medical profession.
Related Terms
- Healthcare professional: A person who provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to people, families or communities.
- Healthcare science: A multidisciplinary field that applies science to health care to improve human health.
- Healthcare system: The organization of people, institutions, and resources that deliver health care services to meet the health needs of target populations.
- Medical professional: A health professional who works in a hospital, clinic, or private practice, who has completed advanced education and clinical training in a health care field.
Categories of Allied Health Professionals
Allied health professionals can be categorized into two broad groups: therapists/technologists (also known as health science professionals) and technicians (also known as health associate professionals).
- Therapists/Technologists: These professionals operate independently or as part of a health care team to provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and direct patient care and support services. Examples include physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and medical technologists.
- Technicians: These professionals provide support to the process of patient care. They have less comprehensive training than the therapists/technologists but are crucial to the functioning of the health care team. Examples include pharmacy technicians, radiology technicians, and surgical technicians.
Role of Allied Health Professionals
Allied health professionals play a critical role in the health care team. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and homes, and provide a range of services, from diagnostic tests to therapeutic treatments. They also play a key role in health promotion, disease prevention, and health management.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Allied health professional
- Wikipedia's article - Allied health professional
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