Complete the chart by identifying six actions that decrease the risk of infection and strengthen the body’s immune system. In the second column, describe how the action reduces the risk of infection and strengthens the body’s immune system.
- Action
- How action reduces risk or strengthens immunity
- Immunization
- The body develops an immunity to the inactive pathogen as it is introduced and once a real infection occurs, the body already has defenses in reserve to combat them.
- Avoid Smoking
- Since smoking reduces levels of certain immune cells within the body, the avoidance of this will enable the body to retain optimal levels of immune cells.
- Exercise regularly
- Regular exercise helps to strengthen the body, making it more resistant to infections. However, exercise should not be done when sick, because this would weaken the body’s defenses.
- Eating healthy and balanced foods
- The nutrients within certain food aid in the strengthening of the immune system. Therefore, balancing one’s diet ensures the intake of these immune-
- boosting foods, leading to a stronger immune system.
- Get enough sleep
- When the body is tired, the immune system is weakened. Getting enough rest ensures that the immune system is at its optimal levels of functioning. This makes it more capable of fighting off infections
- When ill, allow oneself time to recover
- When the immune system is compromised through illness, it becomes necessary for the individual to remain rested in order that it might regain its full strength. When a person is ill, the likelihood of acquiring other illnesses increases because of the state of the immune system. Therefore getting rest and remaining away from the public will discourage exposure to further pathogens and give the immune system adequate time to recover
What does it mean when a physician is Board Certified?
ABMS Board certification of a physician occurs at the specialty level and grants a Gold Star status demonstrating the excellence of the physician in a specialty area. Once a physician has completed study leading up to the M.D., he or she must then complete a period of residency within an area of specialization. This activity is overseen by an ABMS specialty board and grants him/her permission to operate legally within a given area of specialty.
Explain the difference between a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a Doctor of Medical Dentistry.
According to the chapter, the Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Medical Dentistry are identical degrees awarded to those who specialize in oral and dental care after completing four years of dental studies. The difference lies simply in the organizations awarding the degree
Explain the difference between an allopathic and osteopathic physician.
Osteopathic physicians undergo training that focuses on the musculoskeletal system and the methods of manipulating these as a means of therapy. Allopathic physicians (MDs) tend to be more focused on the application of medication in the treatment of patients than are osteopathic physicians. While, both types are fully trained and empowered in the prescription of medication, osteopathic physicians are encouraged to adopt a holistic approach to their methods of therapy.
Complete the chart. For each provider category briefly describe the education and licensing requirements for practice in the state in which you reside. Then, in the scope of care column, describe the type of care the provider can and cannot legally provide in the state in which you reside.
- Provider Category
- Education required
- License Required
- Scope of Care
- Can the provider write prescriptions?
- Ophthalmologist
- M.D. plus specialization
- American Board of Ophthalmology
- All care including surgery
- Yes
- Optometrist
- Doctor of Optometry
- State
- Use of drugs for diagnosing and minor treatment
- Yes
- Orthopedic Surgeon
- M.D. plus specialization
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
- All care includes drugs for diagnostics and treatment, plus surgery.
- Yes
- Podiatrist
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
- National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
- All care including invasive surgery
- Yes
- Chiropractor
- Doctor of Chiropractic
- National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
- No invasive surgery or oral drugs. Musculoskeletal (including spinal) manipulation,
- No
- Bachelor of Physical Therapy
American Physical Therapy Association
- Massage and manipulation of the patient body; giving advice on ambulatory procedures; no drug administration; no surgery
- No
- Physician’s Assistant
- Certificate; 40 weeks of clinical training
- National Commission on Certification of Physician’s Assistants
- Diagnostic procedures including imaging tests and drug administration.
- Yes
- Nurse Practitioner
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- Administer (not prescribe) medication.
- No
- Dentist
- DDS or DMD
- Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
- Treatment of oral conditions including surgery
- Yes
- Psychologist
- Ph.D.
- Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
- No prescription drugs; no invasive therapy
- No
- Psychiatrist
- M.D. plus specialization
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Administration of drugs;
- Yes
- Hypnosis Practitioner
- Diploma certification
- American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists
- No prescription drugs; no invasive therapy
- No
- Reiki Therapist
- No state info available
- No state info available
- No state info available
- No state info available
- Radiologist
- M.D. Residency in Radiology
- American Board of Radiology
- Use of ionizing/nonionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes
- Yes
- Pharmacist
- PharmD
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
- Dispensing of drugs; recommendation of medication, dosages and methods of administration; giving information about side-effects.
No
Explain the decision-making process you use when deciding whether or not to seek medical care for the types of symptoms listed in the chart. Provide an example for each of the five symptom categories; one example of when you would treat the symptom yourself, and one example of when you would seek professional care. Include who you would seek care from in your example.
- Symptom Category
- Decision-making process
- Example for Self-care
- Example for professional care
- Severe
- Seek medical assistance
- Non-prescription medication; ice pack, massage
- Orthopedic manipulation or prescription drugs
- Unusual
- See physician
- Watchful waiting to see if symptoms are progressive
- Blood, stool or urine samples; biopsy; surgery
- Persistent
- Wait, and then see a physician if symptoms take longer to clear up than usual
- Watchful waiting; self-examination
- Prescription drugs; diet change
- Recurrent
- Seek medical attention after first couple of occurrences
- Over-the-counter medication; massage therapy for muscle pain/tightness
- Prescription medication, injections,
- Urgent/Emergency
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Ice-pack, covering wounds with cloth, allergy medicine
- Medication, surgery
Reference
- Ellenbogen, P. H., T. R. Hoffman, B. W. Short & A. Gonzalez. (2007). “The radiologist assistant: what radiologists need to know.” J. Am Coll Radiol. 4: 461-470.
- Insel, P. L. & W. T. Roth. (2008). Core Concepts In Health. McGraw-Hill.
- NYSED. (2008). “Office of the Professions.” New York State Education Department. New York: NYSED Retrieved on October 27, 2008 from http://www.op.nysed.gov
