CHAPTER Types of Medical Practice © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-4 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-7 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-8 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-9 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-10 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 © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-40 Specialty Career Options (cont.) Specialty Function Dental Assistant Can practice without formal education or training Performs both administrative and lab functions Works in private practice, clinics, schools, local health agencies, and for insurance companies Emergency Medical Technician / Paramedic Referred to as an EMT Trained to triage patients and follow instructions from a physician Works for an ambulance service or in fire department, hospital emergency room, or private industry © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-41 Specialty Career Options (cont.) Specialty Function Occupational Therapist Assistant Supervised by occupational therapists Teaches fine motor skills, occupations, and the arts to patients with mental and physical disabilities Earns a 2-year degree Ophthalmic Assistant Assists ophthalmologists Performs simple vision testing and other procedures Three ophthalmic career levels: Technologist Technician Assistant © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-42 Specialty Career Options (cont.) Specialty Pathologist Assistant Function Supervised by a pathologist Some work with forensic and/or anatomic pathologists Performs laboratory duties and some administrative functions Pediatric Medical Assists the pediatrician with administrative and clinical duties Assistant Works in private practice, hospitals, and clinics © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-43 Specialty Career Options (cont.) Specialty Function Pharmacy Technician Performs routine tasks related to recordkeeping and preparing and dispensing medications Works in hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, and wholesale pharmacies Physical Therapy Assistant Works directly under the physical therapist Performs tests and treatment procedures Observes and documents patient responses to therapy Works in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, etc © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-44 Specialty Career Options (cont.) Specialty Function Radiation Therapy Technologist Assists the radiologist Maintains radiation treatment equipment Completes a 2- or 4-year education program Works in hospitals, labs, clinics, and physicians’ offices Respiratory Therapy Technician Works under supervision of physician and respiratory therapist Performs artificial ventilation and maintains respiratory equipment Works in hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, etc © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-45 Specialty Career Options (cont.) Specialty Function Speech / Language Pathologist Evaluates, diagnoses, and counsels patients with communication problems like stuttering Usually has a Master’s degree Works in schools, hospitals, research settings, or private practice Surgical Technician Completes a 2- or 4-year degree Provides patient services under direct supervision of a surgeon Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures Works primarily in hospitals © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-46 Professional Associations • Involvement in issues and activities relevant to your profession • Opportunities for continuing education © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-47 Professional Associations (cont.) American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) American College of Physicians (ACP) American Hospital Association (AHA) © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-48 Professional Associations (cont.) American Medical Association (AMA) American Medical Technologist (AMT) American Pharmacists Association American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPI) © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-49 TJC • Formerly The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations • Non-profit organization • Goal is to maintain and elevate the standards of health-care delivery by health-care organizations – Evaluation – Accreditation • Accreditation is significant factor in gaining reimbursement from Medicare and managed care organizations © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-50 Council of Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) • Develops policy for the AMA • Addresses timely ethical issues • Maintains and updates the AMA Code of Ethics – Comprehensive ethics guide for physicians © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-51 Apply Your Knowledge Which of the professional organizations listed below are primarily for the role(s) of medical assistants? ANSWER: AMA x AAMA AHA x AMT ASCP x AAMT ACP APhA Right Answer! © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-52 In Summary 2.1 Today there are approximately 22 major medical specialties As new medical advances occur, the demand for more specialty areas will emerge 2.2 The American Board of Medical Specialties is an organization of many different medical specialty boards Its primary purpose is to maintain and improve the quality of medical care and to certify doctors in various specialties © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-53 In Summary (cont.) 2.3 Medical assistants are members of a health-care team that includes doctors, nurses, physical therapists, other allied health professionals, and patients Understanding other health-care professionals’ duties will assist the medical assistant as a professional 2.4 Membership in professional associations enables medical assistants to become involved in activities relevant to their field The American Association of Medical Assistants is a key professional organization for medical assistants © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2-54 End of Chapter They go the extra mile They give their hearts, and lead with great minds —Sharon Hudacek From A Daybook for Nurses: Making a Difference Each Day © 2011 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d [...]... (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... Accounting © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 22 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... Medicine Uses x-rays and radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 13 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.. .2- 11 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. .. 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 © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 20 Allied Health... diseases © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 12 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... 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 © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 24 Allied Health Professionals (cont.) Discipline Nuclear... radiography, or nuclear medicine Works in hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, and medical practices © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 31 Allied Health Professionals (cont.) Discipline Registered Dietitian Function Also called nutritionist Assists patients and family with nutrition planning May prepare and serve food to groups Work settings include: ... treat injuries, diseases, and deformities Urologist Diagnoses and treats diseases of the kidneys, bladder, and urinary system © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 14 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... skin, hair, and nail repair • Emergency medicine for treatment during medical crisis © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 15 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 © 20 11 The McGraw -Hill Com panies, Inc A ll rights reserv e d 2- 16 Allied Health