Health professionals
Health professionals
Health professionals or healthcare professionals are individuals who provide preventive, curative, promotional, or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to people, families, or communities.
Pronunciation
- Health: /hɛlθ/
- Professionals: /prəˈfɛʃənəlz/
Etymology
The term "health" comes from the Old English word "hǣlth", which has the same root as "whole". It means being whole, sound, or well. The term "professional" comes from the Latin "professio", meaning a public declaration with the force of a promise.
Types of Health Professionals
Health professionals can be categorized into two main groups:
- Allied Health Professionals: These are health professionals distinct from nursing, medicine, and pharmacy. They work in health care teams to make the health care system function by providing a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and direct patient care and support services. Examples include Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Dietitians.
- Medical Professionals: These are health professionals who diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and injuries that commonly occur in the general population. They include Doctors, Nurses, and Pharmacists.
Education and Training
Health professionals are highly trained and regulated, with specific education and licensing requirements that vary by country, state, and profession. In most jurisdictions, health professionals are required to obtain a certain level of education, complete a specified amount of continuing education each year, and hold a professional license.
Roles and Responsibilities
Health professionals have many roles and responsibilities, including diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, providing preventive care, conducting research, and educating patients and the public about various health conditions. They also play a critical role in improving access and quality health care services, promoting health equity, and protecting the public's health.
Related Terms
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