MBBS VS ALLIED MEDICAL COURSES.

The insinuation that a nurse is less important than a doctor is a common one. The accolades given to medical doctors, surgeons or physicians from the field of medicine and surgery especially in Nigeria varies starkly from that given to a nurse or radiologist. Why is this so?

The truth is all medical practices are important in their own way. Medical professionals ranging from the medical doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists, radiologist, laboratory scientists, nurses, dentists and pharmacologists are all vital to the healthcare system and all require unique sets of skills and knowledge. No single medical career is “more important” than the other!

Let’s consider NURSING for our first case study. Nursing is a very diverse field with various career paths to choose from. The nurses provide direct patient care, diagnose and treat patients and in some cases even prescribe medication. To fulfill these tasks, nurses are required to have excellent communication skills, critical thinking and decision-making skills. They have to be able to work well under pressure, multi-task and manage situations with patients. In addition, they need strong organizational skills and time management skills. Does this seem so easy to you?

Moving forward, let’s ruminate on PHYSIOTHERAPY. Physiotherapists help patients of all ages who are recovering from injuries to improve their mobility and function. Physical therapists need to be skilled in both communication and physical assessment, as well as in the use of various techniques and equipment. They also need to have patience, be compassionate and be able to motivate their patients. Knowing this, the importance of physiotherapists is quite glaring.

Another medical practice is RADIOGRAPHY. The radiographers use imaging technology such as X-rays and CIT scans to diagnose and treat patients. They need vast knowledge in the area of equipment use, as well as patient positioning and radiation safety. They also require interpersonal skills to interact with patients and put them at ease during procedures. This practice requires critical thinking, communication and great team work. Radiographers are of great importance to healthcare.

 The relevance of PHARMACISTS ranges from regular drug prescription to detailed symptom analyzing. Pharmacists are the experts on medication, responsible for dispensing and managing medications. They provide advice and other health care professionals on what medication a patient should use. They need to be detail-oriented, patient, empathetic and great at communicating with people from diverse places. Multi-tasking is also needed when working with multiple patients and prescriptions at once. The pharmacists are no doubt amazing and necessary professionals.

PHARMACOLOGY is also a medical practice in line with medication, but are known as the brains behind medications. They study medications and their effects on the human body. Pharmacologists research and develop new medications. They are required to have a great background in math, biology and chemistry for starters. They are also required to be able to work independently or as a part of a team, also to communicate effectively with other scientists and researchers. Without pharmacologists, drugs are non-existent!

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE is also an integral part of the health-care system. These scientists play a critical role by performing a variety of lab tests, where they analyze samples of blood, urine and other body fluids to diagnose and treat diseases and monitor treatment. These professionals are required to be highly accurate in their work as well as proficient in the use of laboratory equipment. They also need to be able to handle stressful situations and communicate effectively with other doctors and other health-care professionals. These set of medical practitioners are responsible for 70% of medical decisions made by doctors!

We also have DENTISTRY, a medical practice concerned with oral health. The dentists diagnose, treat and educate their patients on how to maintain good oral health. A dentist needs to have a strong manual dexterity, as they work in small spaces and perform delicate procedures. They also need to be able to communicate efficiently with patients that may be nervous or in pain. Having a designated medical practice for oral health alone speaks of its significance in the health-care system.

Rounding it off with the well-known Physicians who specialize in MEDICINE and SURGERY. These professionals diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions, communicate effectively with patients as well as other health-care professionals. In addition to their clinical skills, they are required to think critically and make decisions under pressure, staying calm and focused in stressful situations. They often work long hours and also need to be great at managing their practices and dealing with the business side of medicine. They are the first line of health-care service for patients.

 As you can see, each of these health-care careers is essential in its own way and they all play a role in providing patients with the best possible care. Each patient is different and these professionals has their unique set of skills and knowledge to offer. DOCTORS ARE NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONALS. No doctor can work effectively without the help of other health-care professionals.

Enjoyed writing this. 

Hope you enjoyed reading, thank you.