RHODEISLAND SENIOR BEAT
RELEASE: Friday,May 28, 2010
CONTACT:Larry Grimaldi 462-0509
WHO’S WHO IN HEALTH CARE
CRANSTON --- There are so many specialists in the medical profession these days, that it is sometimes difficult to determine what doctor or health care professional takes care of what illneses affect seniors. While the doctor in general practice or a geriatrician may be the professional that a senior sees on a regular basis, there are a wide variety of specialists that are trained to diagnose and treat specific illnesses. For this reason, it is important to understand which medical professionals offer care for specific medical conditions.
Primary care physicians (M.D.), or general practitioners, usually treat common illnesses and injuries, prescribe medications, provide preventive care, and do routine medical check-ups. In some cases, they may perform surgeries.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) also provide primary general health care. Their training is similar to that of an M.D. and they may also prescribe medications, administer treatment, or perform surgeries. They may also manipulate muscles and bones to treat specific problems.
Internists (M.D. or O.D.) specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in adults.
Family practitioners are (M.D. or D.O.) health care providers who specialize in providing a full range of health care services for all age groups, including both men and women. These doctors may refer patients to specialists such as cardiologists (heart), dermatologists(skin), endocrinologists(glands and internal secretions, such as diabetes), neurologists (nervous system), oncologists(tumors and cancer), ophthalmologists (eye diseases), or urologists (specialists in male and female urinary systems and male reproductive systems), and gynecologists (female reproductive system).
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Physician Assistants (P.A.) often work in doctors’ offices and hospitals performing some of the duties of physicians. They take medical histories, do physical examinations, carry out diagnostic tests, and develop treatment plans. Their education includes two to four years of college and two years of specialized training. These professionals work under the direction of a licensed physician.
Nurse practitioners (R.N. P.) are nurses who have received training beyond basic nursing education. Nurse practitioners can perform physical examinations, perform diagnostic tests, counsel patients, and develop treatment programs. Nurse practitioners may work independently or be members of the medical professional staff in hospitals or other health care facilities. Registered nurses have at least two or three years of training and education in nursing school and perform bedside nursing duties such as administering medication and treatments, or performing physical assessments, and patient education functions. Very often, the R.N. holds a supervisor or teaching position at acute or long-term care facilities, doctor’s offices, clinics, and other community health agencies. Some R.N. professionals do private duty nursing.
The registered dietitian (R.D.) provides nutritional and dietary information and counseling. For example, the R.D. professional can help diabetics understand the implications of a balanced and specific diet to control their diabetes. They work in a wide variety of health care settings. R.D. professionals have a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree, complete an internship, and pass a licensure certification exam.
Physical therapists (P.T.) help people regain strength and flexibility when a medical condition has impaired these functions. They may use a variety of heat, ice, water therapy and other methods to control pain and improve coordination. The P.T. completes a bachelor’s degree program. Some receive extra training. Physicians and R.P.N.s refer patients to a P.T. professional.
Occupational therapists (O.T.) assist patients with impairments or handicaps to function more independently. Patients are referred to the O.T. by a physician and/or R.P.N. and they possess a bachelor’s degree and go through six months of specialized training.
Ophthalmologists (M.D.) are doctors who diagnose and treat diseases of the eye. They may also prescribe glasses or contact lenses, and they can prescribe drugs and perform eye surgery.
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They are distinguished from optometrists (O.D.) who also have a bachelor’s degree and four years of graduate training at a school of optometry. Optometrists can diagnose eye illnesses and supply and adjust eyeglasses and fit contact lenses. Opticians fit, supply, and adjust eye glasses and contact lenses that are prescribed by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Orthopedists (M.D. or D.O.) are surgeons who operate and treat problems of the bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Podiatrists (D.P.M.) diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and injuries of the foot. They may also perform surgery and make devices to correct or prevent foot problems.They also provide toenail care and prescribe medications.
A psychiatrist (M.D.) treats and counsels persons experiencing emotional difficulties. They can prescribe medication and perform diagnostic tests to determine if physical problems are contributing to the emotional problems of the patient.
Clinical psychologists (Ph.D.) are referred to as doctors because they have doctoral degrees in psychology. They are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medications; they do counsel persons with mental health issues.
Lastly, pharmacists (Pharm.D.) are professionals who study for five or six years to understand the chemical makeup, ingredients, side effects, and proper use of medications. Pharmacists have the legal authority to dispense drugs according to the instructions of various credentialed medical professionals. Pharmacists must also pass a state licensure exam.
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Questions for Rhode Island Senior Beat may be mailed to the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs, JohnO.PastoreCenter, 74 West Road,Cranston, RI 02920. Questions can also be e-mailed to . For a confidential discussion about questions, issues or challenges regarding growing older, call DEA at 462-3000. TTY users should call 462-0740. Seniors, families, and caregivers can also call THE POINT Resource Center at 462-4444. The TTY number for THE POINT is 462-4445.
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