Ch. 1: Professions for the Twenty-First Century

Question 1

Today you need:

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2.

3.

Answer 1

1. state-of-the-art clinical skills
2. positive workplace skills
3. professional foresight

Question 2

6 challenges we face:

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6.

Answer 2

1. changing demographics
2. national economy
3. new medical models
4. transforming education
5. technology
6. globalization

Question 3

Changing Demographics- population getting older and more diverse

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Answer 3

1. Aging
2. Diversity
3. Poverty
4. National Economy
5. New Med. Models
6. Transforming Edu.
7. Technology
8. Globalization

Question 4

Aging

Answer 4

• Proportion of elderly will increase from around 13% 2009 to 20% by 2030. See increase in very old not just older population.
• Decrease in fertility and mortality rates.
• Number of elderly increasing to 19 million 85+ by 2050
• More women than men
• Older will need more and different health services
• Elderly more diverse, see more older Hispanic and Asian in US
• 50 to 64 yr olds most affected by financial crisis of 2008- loss of retirement, may have to be in workforce longer
• Poverty affects women more than men, Hispanics and African Americans more than Caucasians
• Increase in functional limitations and chronic conditions among older
• 20% of elderly live in multigenerational families

Question 5

Diversity

Answer 5

• Increase in # and % of racial, ethnic and linguistic minorities
• 2007 minorities comprised over 1/3 of US population
• Greatest growth in minorities will be Hispanics. Also see growth in Asians, American Indians, and Alaska Natives and those who consider themselves as being of 2 or more races.
• Current population is 44% minorities and will grow to 62% by 2050.
• 22% of US have a disability, of that 38% elderly, 12 – 30 % minorities.

Question 6

Poverty

Answer 6

• 43.6 US population live in poverty
• Rates higher among elderly, women, minorities
• Becoming an older society with special needs
• Need justify to elderly, 3rd parties, health care providers value of providing for elderly needs

Question 7

National Economy

Answer 7

• Has effect on our delivery of services and business practices
• Pts and 3rd parties want best-quality service for economical investment
• Cutting spending may reduce benefit programs like Medicare and Medicaid
• 3rd party may reduce coverage but health care costs may increase especially with elderly
• Must show our services will increase quality of life

Question 8

New Med. Models

Answer 8

• Patient-centered medical homes. Pts has personal MD that leads team of professionals to care for pt. Uses EBP and clinical decision support tools guides to make decisions
• Retail clinics. Not traditional clinic, freestanding walk-in clinic, may be at drugstore or discount chain store. Staffed by nurse practitioner, focus on common illness and prevention.
• Health care technology (HIT). Core of new technology. Enhances pt care management through secure use of Electronic Health Records (HER), reduce errors and costs, improve quality of care. Allows professionals to use HER systems to record pt visits, results, and recommendations. Face ethical issues in transfer of information across Internet.
• Customer Service. Importance of “customer service” and quality of care linked to how satisfied the pt is, satisfied pt tells 5-7 other pt how pleased they are, dissatisfied pt tells 20 other pts, must educate others about the need for our services.

Question 9

Transforming Edu.

Answer 9

• Create learning environment that produces students with high-level thinking skills, who can use technology, interact with coworkers.

Question 10

Technology

Answer 10

• Key to having competitive advantage in workplace
• Medical environment fast changing, faster transfer of information between professional, provide immediate feedback, consult with others
• Telepractice can treat and communicate with pt in home
• Pts can google and will be more knowledgeable

Question 11

Globalization

Answer 11

• Defined as “process where geographic distance becomes less a factor in establishment and maintenance of cross-border economic, political, and socio-economic relations”.
• Interact across different countries, exchange information, and use technology to do so.

Question 12

Skills needed tomorrow:

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Answer 12

1. Problem-solving abilities
2. Creative reasoning
3. Use resources available at work- learn how to acquire
4. new info
5. Work effectively team members
6. Communicate effectively written and oral mode
7. Be able to communicate with older, diverse groups
8. Have positive attitude at work