Medical assisting Administrative and clinical procedures (5e) Chapter 2 Healthcare and the healthcare team

CHAPTER

2

Healthcare and the
Healthcare Team
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2-2

Learning Outcomes
2.1 Discuss healthcare and healthcare trends and
their relationship to medical assistant practice.
2.2 Identify medical specialties and specialists
certified by the American Board of Medical
Specialties (ABMS).
2.3 Recognize the duties of various allied health
professionals with whom medical assistants
may work.
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2-3

Learning Outcomes
2.4 Compare specialty careers that a medical
assistant may choose for advancement.
2.5 Differentiate professional associations that

relate to healthcare and their relationship to the
medical assisting profession.

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2-4

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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2-5

Healthcare and Facilities
• Healthcare continuously evolving
• Trends
– Technology
– Preventative care and wellness

– Aging population
– Ambulatory care

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2-6

Healthcare Facilities
• Ambulatory care
– Physician’s office
– Clinics
– Urgent care centers
– Hospitals
• Long-term care
• Hospice care

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2-7

Apply Your Knowledge
What are two trends in healthcare and how might
they affect your practice as a medical assistant?
ANSWER: (any two of the following)
Technology – MA must have a working knowledge of computers
and electronic equipment

Preventive care & wellness – must be able to guide patients to
better practices
Aging population – medical assistants are most likely to care for
older adults
Ambulatory care – more positions becoming available in
outpatient centers
Correct!
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2-8

Medical Specialties
• Approximately 24 major
medical specialties exist
• Driven by advances in
diagnosing and treating
various diseases
• American Board of
Medical Specialties
(ABMS)

Cardiology

Pediatric
Cardiology

Adult
Cardiology

Cardiology = specialty
Pediatrics and Adult = subspecialties

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2-9

Medical Specialties
Specialist

Function

Family
Practice

 Family practitioner, general practitioner,
primary care physician (PCP)
 Diagnosis and treatment of all conditions
and age groups
 Management of patients’ long-term
healthcare

Allergy

 Allergist
 Diagnosis and treatment of people with
hypersensitivity to substances such as

drugs, chemicals, and elements in nature

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2-10

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Anesthesiology  Anesthesiologist; certified registered
nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
 Use of medications that alter sensation
and feelings before, during, and after
surgery
Bariatrics

 Medical and surgical treatment of
obesity

Cardiology

 Cardiologist
 Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of
the heart and blood vessels

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2-11

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Dermatology

 Dermatologist
 Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the
skin, hair, and nails

Osteopathy

 Doctor of osteopathy
 Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM)
 Whole-person approach to healthcare

Emergency
Medicine

 Physicians work in hospital emergency
rooms and outpatient emergency care
centers
 Diagnosis and treatment of conditions
resulting from unexpected medical crises

and accidents
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2-12

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty
Endocrinology

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

Gastroenterology  Gastroenterologist
 Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of
the stomach, intestines, and other
organs
Gerontology

 Gerentologist / geriatrician
 Diagnosis and treatment of problems
and diseases affecting older adults
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2-13

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Gynecology

 Gynecologist
 Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of
the female reproductive system

Internal
Medicine

 Internist / doctor of internal medicine
 Diagnoses and treats problems related to
internal organs

Nephrology

 Nephrologist
 Study, management, and diagnosis of
diseases of the kidney

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in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

2-14

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Neurology

 Neurologist
 Diagnosis and treatment of disorders and
diseases of the nervous system

Nuclear
Medicine

 Use of a small amount of radiation to
diagnose and treat diseases

Obstetrics

 Obstetrician
 Manages pregnancy, labor and delivery,
and postpartum

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2-15

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Oncology




Oncologist
Diagnosis and treatment of patients with
cancer

Ophthalmology

 Ophthalmologist
 Diagnosis and treatment of diseases
and disorders of the eye

Orthopedics

 Orthopedist
 Diagnosis and treatment of diseases
and disorders of bones and muscles

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2-16

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Otorhinolaryngology  Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT)
 Diagnoses and treats ear, nose,
and throat disorders
Pathology




Pathologist
Study of disease

Pediatrics/
Adolescent
Medicine




Pediatrician
Diagnosis and treatment of
childhood diseases

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2-17

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Physical Medicine  Physical medicine specialists
(physiatrists)
 Diagnosis and treatment of diseases
and disorders with physical therapy
Podiatry

 Doctor of podiatric medicine;
podiatrists
 Study and treatment of disorders of
the foot

Plastic Surgery

 Plastic surgeon
 Surgical reconstruction,

correction,
and improvement of body structures

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2-18

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Proctology

 Proctologist
 Diagnosis and

Radiology

 Radiologist
 Use of x-rays

treatment of disorders of
the anus, rectum, and intestines
and radioactive
substances to diagnose and treat
diseases

Sports Medicine  Interdisciplinary subspecialty of
medicine dealing with treatment and
preventative care of athletes

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2-19

Medical Specialties (cont.)
Specialty

Specialist and Function

Surgery

 Surgeon
 Use of hands and instruments to
diagnose, correct, and treat injuries and
diseases

Urology

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

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2-20

Apply Your Knowledge
Name the medical specialists who would be involved in
the care of a 6-month-old infant with massive burns
over 30% of the body and indicate how each specialist
would contribute to the care for this situation.
ANSWER: The following specialists could be involved in the
care of this patient:
• Pediatrician because of the age of the infant
• Plastic surgeon to perform skin grafting
• Dermatologist for skin, hair, and nail repair
• Emergency medicine for treatment during medical crisis
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2-21

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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2-22

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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2-23

Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline
Chiropractor

Function
 Treats disorders without drugs or
surgery by making adjustments to
realign the vertebrae and restore

function of spinal nerves
 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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in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.


2-24

Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline
Massage
Therapist

Function
 One of the oldest methods to promote
healing
 Promotes muscle and full body relaxation;
increases circulation and lymph flow
 Uses pressure, kneading, stroking,
vibration, and tapping

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2-25

Allied Health Professionals (cont.)
Discipline

Function

Medical Technology – includes:
 Performs lab tests under supervision of
Clinical
Laboratory
physicians or medical technologists
Technician (CLT)  1- or 2-year degree
Medical
Technologist

 Examines specimens of human body
tissues and fluids, analyze blood
factors, and culture bacteria
 4-year degree
 May specialize in blood banking,
microbiology, or chemistry
© 2014 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution
in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.