Concept
Medical Professionals
HE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 / Choices in Medical Care
"Choosing the right medical professional can be difficult and will vary depending on your day-to-day health status. A Primary Care Practitioner (PCP) provides routine care, preventive care, general medical advice, and appropriate referrals. Primary care providers include family practitioners, internists, and pediatricians. Conventional or allopathic medicine, or traditional Western medical practice, is based on scientifically validated methods and procedures and involves the application of the scientific method, including cause and effect. Complementary and alternative medicine refers to unconventional practices used alongside or instead of conventional medicine, including chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal remedies. Other PCPs include osteopaths, who receive training similar to MDs but focus more on the musculoskeletal system; nurse practitioners, who have advanced training and may conduct diagnostic tests and prescribe medications in some states; and physician assistants, who work under the supervision of a physician and are legally permitted to prescribe drugs in all states. Nurses provide patient education, counseling, community health and disease-prevention information, and administration of medications. Registered nurses complete either a four-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a two-year associate degree program, while licensed practical or vocational nurses complete one- to two-year training programs. Nurses may also earn advanced nursing degrees, including a clinical doctor of nursing degree, a doctorate of nursing science, or a research-based doctorate. Ophthalmologists hold medical degrees and can perform surgery, while optometrists evaluate visual problems but are not trained physicians. Podiatrists specialize in care of the foot, have extensive training similar to MDs, and can prescribe and perform surgery. Dentists diagnose and treat diseases of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity; orthodontists specialize in the alignment of teeth; and oral surgeons perform surgical procedures involving the mouth, face, and jaw."
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