Lesson 13: The United States Healthcare System Flashcards
what is allopathic medicine
mainstream medical care in US, method of using drugs and surgery to treat disease
what is alternative/complementary medicine
healthcare practices that are not considered part of mainstream medical treatment; may include acupuncture, herbal remedies, homeopathy, etc
what is the difference between a resident and an attending physician
a resident is a person who has received a medical degree and is practicing medicine, normally under a supervisor
an attending physician is a doctor who has finished their education and training and have the primary responsibility for patients
what is a teaching hospital
a hospital where medical students see patients under supervision of attending physician
if a patient is told that they are being seen by a medical student or resident, can they ask to see the attending physician?
yes, in student hospitals and elsewhere, patients has the right to be seen by the attending physician
what is the education pathway and residency that a doctor/dentist must follow
- 4 years of college for a bachelor’s degree
- 4 years of medical/dental school
- students are called med/dental students - students receive their MD, DO, DDS, or DMD degree
- 1-5 years of residency depending on the students’ medical specialty, dentists can have 2-3 yrs for specialized (optional)
- 3-7 years of specialization via a fellowship
- attending physicians are doctors that finished their residency and/or fellowship which supervise residents
what does a primary care provider (PCP) do
a person that a patient may see first for general checkups and health problems; PCP is a general health provider
what is a generalist
an MD/DO that specialize in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics, instead of a specific disease or body system
what is a medical doctor (MD)
An MD evaluates and teats illness; receive 12-20 yrs of training after high school and can specialize in a certain type of medicine or be a generalist
what is an osteopath/doctor of osteopathy (DO)
a DO evaluates and treats illness just as an MD would, but with a “whole person” approach, including manipulative treatment of bones and muscles
what is a physician assistant (PA)
provides healthcare services under supervision of physician like history taking, physical exam, and diagnosis; education varies but involves a bachelor’s degree +2 yrs of PA program
what is a registered nurse
a person who graduated from nursing program, passed a state board exam and are licensed by the state
what is a nurse practitioner
registered nurse with graduate training that serves as a primary care provider; can prescribe medicine and work with/without doctor supervision depending on state laws
what is an advanced practice nurse
a person who has education and experience beyond basic training and licensure required of all RNs
what is a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
a CNS has specialized training in a field such as cardiac, psychiatric, or community health
what is a certified nurse midwife (CNM)
an RN with specific training in women’s healthcare including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postnatal care
what is a certified registered nurse anesthetist
a person who has training in field of anesthesia
what is a licensed practical nurse (LPN)
works in medical setting, but is less advanced than an RN; do not have degree in nursing, but have state licensure plus training
what is a certified nursing assistant (CNA)
a CNA has training and certification but not a nursing degree
what is a dentist (DDS/DMD)
a person who evaluates and treats tooth and/or gun problems
what is a dental assistant
person who assists dentists and performs some dental procedures according to state laws
what is a dental hygenist
someone who cleans teeth and may assist dentists with dental procedures
what is a licensed pharmacist
someone who holds graduate degree from college of pharmacy; they may prepare and process drug prescriptions from a health care provider
what is a pharmacy technician
a person who dispenses medication in a pharmacy under supervision of a pharmacist
