Lecture Medical assisting: Administrative and clinical procedures with anatomy and physiology (4e) – Chapter 2

CHAPTER

2

Types of Medical
Practice

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2-2

Learning Outcomes
2.1 Describe medical specialties and specialists.
2.2 Explain the purpose of the American Board of
Medical Specialties.
2.3 Describe the duties of several types of allied
health professionals with whom medical
assistants may work.
2.4 Name professional associations that may help
advance a medical assistant’s career.

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2-3

Introduction
• Medical assistants are an
integral part of the health-care
team

• A working knowledge of
specialties and allied health
professionals enables the MA
to function better as a member
of the health-care team

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Medical Specialties
• Approximately 22 major
medical specialties exist
• Specialized medical care
is driven by advances in
diagnosing and treating
various diseases

Cardiology

Pediatrics

Adult

Note: Cardiology = specialty
Pediatrics and Adult = subspecialty

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2-5

Physician Education and Licensure
Bachelor’s Degree
Graduate from an Accredited Medical School

Pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam

Complete 2–6 Years of Residency

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2-6

Medical Specialists
Specialist

Functions

Family Practice

 Medical doctors that treat all conditions and age
groups
 Also called general practitioners or primary care
physicians by insurance companies
 Refers patients to specialists for specific
diseases requiring specialized care

Allergist

 Diagnoses and treats people with
hypersensitivity to substances such as drugs,
chemicals, and elements in nature

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Medical Specialists (cont.)
Specialist

Functions

Anesthesiologist

 Administers medications that alter sensation and
feelings during surgery

Bariatrics

 Medical and surgical treatment of obesity

Cardiologist

 Diagnoses and treats diseases of the heart and
blood vessels

Dermatologist

 Diagnoses and treats diseases of the skin, hair,
and nails

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Medical Specialists (cont.)
Specialist

Functions

Doctor of
Osteopathy

 Uses eyes and hands to identify structural
problems and promote natural healing
 Uses osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM)
techniques

Emergency
Medicine
Physician

 Works in hospital emergency rooms
 Diagnoses and treats medical crises and
accidents

Endocrinologist

 Diagnoses and treats disorders of the endocrine
system, which regulates many body functions

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Medical Specialists (cont.)
Specialist

Functions

Gastroenterologist

 Diagnoses and treats disorders related
to the stomach, intestines, and other
organs

Gerontologist

 Diagnoses and treats problems and
diseases affecting older adults

Gynecologist

 Diagnoses and treats diseases of the

female reproductive system

Internist

 Diagnoses and treats problems related
to internal organs

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Medical Specialists (cont.)
Specialist

Functions

Nephrologist

 Studies, manages, and diagnoses
diseases of the kidney

Neurologist

 Diagnoses and treats disorders and
diseases of the nervous system

Obstetrician

 Studies pregnancy, labor and delivery,

and postpartum

Oncologist

 Identifies and treats patients with
cancer

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Medical Specialists (cont.)
Specialist

Function

Ophthalmologist

 Diagnoses and treats diseases and
disorders of the eye

Orthopedist

 Diagnoses and treats diseases and
disorders of muscles and bones

Otorhinolaryngologist

 Diagnoses and treats ear, nose,

and throat disorders

Pathologist

 Studies bodily changes produced
by disease processes

Pediatrician/
Adolescent Medicine

 Diagnoses and treats childhood diseases

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Medical Specialists (cont.)
Specialist

Function

Physiatrist

 Diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders
with physical therapy

Podiatrist

 Treats disorders of the foot

Plastic Surgeon

 Performs reconstruction, correction, and
improvement of body structures

Proctologist

 Treats disorders of the anus, rectum, and
intestines

Radiologist/
Nuclear Medicine

 Uses x-rays and radioactive substances to
diagnose and treat diseases
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Medical Specialists (cont.)
Specialist

Function

Sports Medicine

 Subspecialty of medicine dealing with
treatment and preventative care of

athletes

Surgeon

 Uses hands and instruments to
diagnose, correct, and treat injuries,
diseases, and deformities

Urologist

 Diagnoses and treats diseases of the
kidneys, bladder, and urinary system

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Apply Your Knowledge
Name the medical specialists who would be
involved in the care of a 6-month-old infant with
massive burns over 90% of the body and
indicate how each specialist would contribute to
the care for this situation.
ANSWER: The following specialists would be involved in the care of this
patient:
• Pediatrician because of the age of the infant
• Plastic surgeon to perform skin grafting

Correct!

• Dermatologist for skin, hair, and nail repair
• Emergency medicine for treatment during medical crisis

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Health-Care Team
Doctors

Nurses
PATIENT

Medical Assistants

Specialists

Knowing the duties of other health-care team members will
help you be a more effective team member.
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Allied Health Professionals
Discipline
Acupuncturist

Function
 Treats pain or discomfort by
inserting thin, hollow needles
under the skin to balance the
opposing forces of yin and yang
 Based on Chinese beliefs

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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline
Chiropractor

Function
 Treats disorders without drugs or
surgery by making adjustments to
realign the vertebrae in the spine
 Is an independent practitioner

Electroencephalographic  Electroencephalography is the study
and recording of the brain’s electrical
(EEG) Technologist /
activity
Technician
 EEG technicians work in hospitals,
physicians’ offices, and clinics

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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline
Electrocardiograph
(ECG) Technician

Function
 ECG technicians operate
electrocardiograph machines that
record the heart’s electrical
impulses
 ECG technicians work in hospitals

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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline

Function

Massage
Therapist

 Promotes muscle and full body
relaxation; increases circulation and
lymph flow
 One of the oldest methods to promote
healing

Medical
Administrative
Assistant

 Provides administrative support to
medical, professional, and technical
personnel
 Transcribing dictation
 Composing correspondence

 Works in hospitals, clinics, etc.
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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline

Function

Medical Billing  Extraction and coding of medical information from
patient records
and Coding

 Preparation of insurance claims to maximize
reimbursement and ensure ethical standards in the
profession

Medical
Records
Technologist

 Organizes, analyzes, and evaluates medical
records
 Compiles administrative and health statistics, code
symptoms, and inputs and retrieves computerized
health data
 Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
and Accredited Health Information Technician
(RHIT)
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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline

Function

Medical Office  Manages the practice of a physician or a group
Administrator / practice
 Coordinates records and filing

Manager

 Oversees office staff
 May also greet patients, make appointments, and
perform general secretarial tasks
 Requires knowledge of
 Computer application software
 Advanced document processing skills
 Accounting

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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline

Function

Medical Technology – includes:
Clinical
Laboratory
Technician
(CLT)

 Performs lab tests under supervision of
physicians or medical technologists
 1- or 2-year degree
 Works in hospital labs, clinics, etc.

Medical
Technologist

 Performs lab tests and procedures such as
examining body fluids and tissues
 Has a 4-year degree
 Works in clinics, industry, hospitals, research,
etc.

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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline

Function

 Translates a physician’s dictation into
Medical
comprehensive, typed records
Transcriptionist

 Works in attorney offices, insurance companies,
hospitals, physician offices, clinics, and
laboratories

Mental Health

Technician
(Psychiatric Aide
or Counselor)

 Participates in supervising group therapy and
counseling sessions
 Works with emotionally disturbed and mentally
challenged patients
 Work settings include psychiatric clinics, crisis
centers and shelters, hospital psychiatric units,
and specialized nursing home settings

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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline
Nuclear
Medicine
Technologist

Function
 Completes either a 2-year or 4-year
program
 Works in hospitals, physician offices, or
public health institutions
 Duties include:
 Overseeing quality control

 Preparing and administering radioactive drugs
 Operating radiation detection instruments
 Positioning patients
 Performing imaging procedures

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Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline
Occupational
Therapist

Function
 Helps patients attain maximum physical
and mental health through the use of
educational, vocational, and rehabilitation
activities
 Has a 4-year degree plus 9- to 12-month
internship at an accredited hospital
 Work settings include:
 Hospital
 Government agency
 Rehabilitation hospital

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