Allied health professions are clinical healthcare professions distinct from medicine, dentistry, and nursing. They work in a healthcare team to make the healthcare system function.^[1][2]

Contents 1 Professions 2 Recognized allied health professions 2.1 Allied health professions in Australia 2.2 Allied health professions in the UK 3 History 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Professions

Depending on the country and local healthcare system, a limited subset of the following professions (professional areas) may be represented, and may be regulated:

• Audiology
• Bioengineering
• Biomedical science
• Clinical Psychology
• Diagnostic medical sonography
• Paramedic
• Exercise physiology
• Kinesiotherapy
• Medical Dosimetry (Dosimetrist)
• Medical physics
• Medical Laboratory Scientist
• Medical radiation scientist (Australian title for medical/cardiac sonographers, radiographers (x-ray, MR, CT, Nuclear Medicine), and radiation therapists)
• Nuclear medicine technology
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Occupational therapy
• Operating Department Practitioners
• Optometry
• Orthotics and prosthetics
• Orthoptist
• Perfusionist
• Pharmacy
• Physical therapy and physiotherapy
• Public health
• Radiation therapy
• Radiography
• Rehabilitation counseling
• Respiratory therapy
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Surgical Technologist
• Social work
• Ultrasound

All professionals/professional areas ascribed before belong to the ever growing group of allied health professionals and their subspecialties. The precise titles and roles in the allied health professions may vary considerably from country to country.

Because their job descriptions become more specialized, they must adhere to national training and education standards, their professional scope of practice, and often prove their skills through diplomas, certified credentials, and continuing education. Members of the allied health professions must be proficient in the use of many skills. Some of which are medical terminology, acronym and spelling, basics of medical law and ethics, understanding of human relations, interpersonal communication skills, counseling skills, computer literacy, ability to document healthcare information, interviewing skills, and proficiency in word processing, database management and electronic dictation.^[2]

[edit] Recognized allied health professions

[edit] Allied health professions in Australia

Queensland Health employs more than 5000 allied health professionals across the following disciplines:^[3]

• Audiology
• Clinical measurement science
• Exercise physiology
• Music therapy
• Nuclear medicine technology
• Dietetics
• Occupational therapy
• Optometry
• Orthotics and prosthetics
• Pharmacy
• Physiotherapy
• Podiatry
• Psychology
• Radiation therapy
• Radiography / medical imaging
• Social work
• Sonography
• Speech pathology

[edit] Allied health professions in the UK

• Arts therapies (art therapists, drama and music therapists)
• Chiropody/Podiatry
• Dietetics
• Orthoptics
• Occupational Therapy
• Paramedics
• Physiotherapy
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Radiography
• Speech and Language Therapy

^{[2] [4]}

[edit] History

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008)

The explosion of scientific knowledge that followed World War II brought increasingly sophisticated and complex medical diagnostic and treatment procedures. In addition, increasing medical and healthcare costs provoked a trend away from treating patients in hospitals toward the provision of care in physician's private and group practices, and ambulatory medical and emergency clinics. What followed was an increase in the need for expertly trained healthcare delivery personnel.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Allied health careers
• Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP)
• NHS Careers - UK

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