Healthcare is the medical practice concerned with the care of individual patients or groups of individuals as a result of sickness or injuries. Healthcare includes a wide variety of activities that are performed to promote health: prevention of diseases, diagnosis and treatment of disease, recovery of patients, and the prevention of death or serious disability. Health care involves direct patient care, services provided by nurses and doctors, and the provision of preventive and curative care.
Healthcare is the management or regulation of health through the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, cure, or rehabilitation of illness, disease, injury, and psychological and physical disabilities in the public. Healthcare includes a wide variety of activities that are performed by healthcare professionals and related health disciplines. Professional healthcare professionals include physicians, surgeons, nurses, and technicians. Some of the more prominent and popular healthcare degrees are the Master of Science in Health Administration, Associate of Science in Public Health Administration, Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration, Master of Science in Global Health Management, and Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Healthcare occupations are growing rapidly as a result of an aging population and childbirth. A large number of individuals are now calling on health care professions to meet their needs. Some careers within the healthcare industry are life support, clinical nurse specialist, dentist, pediatrician, physician assistant, nurse, and psychiatrist. There are also certificate, diploma, associate, and bachelor degree programs available. Careers within the healthcare field offer higher wages and a better outlook for future success.
An Associate of Science in Health Administration degree is a program which prepares students to work in the healthcare system from entry level to full-time positions. An Associate of Science in Physical Therapy (ASPT) provides a thorough education in all areas related to physical therapy. The programs are specialized to meet the needs of individuals, including the need for certification and continuing education, in the healthcare system. Some of the areas of focus include anatomy and physiology, diagnostic and clinical procedures, medical terminology, pharmacology, physiology, psychology, and business skills.
A Bachelor of Science in Radiology is a four year program which can lead to a career in several places in the healthcare industry. Careers within the radiology field include mammography, x-ray technician, nuclear medicine technologist, medical sonographer, and radiation oncologist. Many of the jobs involve working with existing healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, outpatient clinics, hospices, and nursing homes. Some of the roles include coordinating imaging tests and helping to interpret the results; training and preparing the patient for follow-up visits; and assisting the physician or radiologist in administrative duties. A few of the specializations include cardiac and vascular imaging, catheterization, ultrasound, tomography, and ultrasound technology.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing are popular degrees that lead to careers as healthcare specialists, including managers and executives, in long-term care facilities, acute care clinics and hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics and offices, and hospices. Some positions require additional schooling after a person has received their associate degree. In the past several years, many patients have been returning to school because of the importance of patient care and healthcare.