Define the scope of practice for allied health professionals and discuss the importance of patient-centered care.
Visit the Allied Health Community interactive learning media: http://lc.gcumedia.com/hlt307v/allied-health-community/allied-health-community-v1.1.html.
Read the profiles of each of the allied health providers and select two providers on which to base your assignment. Research the roles and scope of practice of both of the allied health providers you selected.
In a 500-750 word paper, address the following concepts:
1. Describe the professional responsibilities of both allied health providers you selected and discuss their roles in delivering quality patient care. Include a discussion about the education and skills required in both professional roles, and describe the health care settings in which both providers may be found.
2. Define "scope of practice" within an allied health context and discuss the scope of practice for both allied health providers you selected. How is the scope of practice for both providers different from each of their professional roles?
3. Explain how both allied health providers can provide patient-centered care and how their background, education, skills, and health care experience contribute to delivering quality patient outcomes.
Synthesizing Core ConceptsIn parallel with addressing the website issue, I successfully gathered a foundational understanding of the core concepts for this assignment. My research has provided clear definitions of both 'allied health scope of practice' and 'patient-centered care'. I've synthesized information that describes allied health professionals as a broad group distinct from medicine and nursing, involved in diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services. 'Scope of practice' is defined as the limit of a professional's knowledge, skills, and experience, which must be adhered to for safe and effective practice. The concept of 'patient-centered care' is about involving the patient and their family in the decision-making process and respecting their individual preferences and beliefs. It's a collaborative approach that values the patient's emotional, social, and financial well-being.Structuring Deeper ResearchNow that I have a clear understanding of the key terms and have selected the two professions, I am ready to begin the deeper research. My next step will be to search for specific information about the professional responsibilities, educational requirements, skills, and work environments for both a Physical Therapist and a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. This will build a solid foundation for the subsequent analysis of their respective scopes of practice and how they apply patient-centered care principles in their work.
Sample Answer
I'm starting my research to write a paper about allied health professionals, focusing on a few key concepts. The core task is to select two specific allied health roles, research their professional responsibilities, education, and work settings, and then discuss their scope of practice and how they contribute to patient-centered care. The prompt provides a specific website to visit, which is a crucial starting point for selecting the two roles.Initial Research PlanMy approach is to first access the provided interactive learning media to select the two allied health providers. This will inform all my subsequent research. While that's happening, I'll also perform separate searches to establish a foundational understanding of the key concepts: 'scope of practice' and 'patient-centered care'. This will provide a strong conceptual framework before I dive into the specifics of the two selected roles.