Health Care Professional Role

The primary health care team normally consists of the physician, nurse, social worker, medical technologist, physiotherapy, nutrition, dentistry, health education, and communication. These professionals play an important part in health care. The active professional intervention is vital to positive outcome of the patient’s treatment.

Radiographers use the x-rays to create images of body parts and organs for diagnostic functions. Their roles vary depending on the type of x-ray that a patient needs. They detect disease and broken bones. The different types of images include: fluoroscopy, MRI, x-ray and ultrasound. A computed tomography (CT) is used by radiographers to create 3D images showing the internal part of the body. The computer then splits the images into slices to show much more tiny details about the body. The scans from CT aid the doctors in diagnosing cancer and other serious diseases.

The X-rays that pass through are captured by a detector which gives a 2D illustration of all the structures. Treatment involving the use of radiation is called radiotherapy.

Radiographers use the magnetic resonance imaging machine (MRI) to develop a 3D map of body tissues. The machines usually build a 2D or 3D map of the different types of the tissues in the body which radiographers use to determine if a tissue is either normal or abnormal. The use of ultrasound machine is to check circulation in the human body. It is used to examine organs such as the heart. It involves the use of high frequency sound waves in order to produce pictures of the internal part of the body. The ultrasound machine is very important to radiographers because they can use it to observe the health of an unborn child.

Mammography is the X-ray examination of soft tissues like breasts. It has been used by women to screen for breast cancer, and in viewing male's breasts. The radiation in mammography is softer than that used for harder tissues. Dental radiation involves the use of a small radiation with a high penetration because teeth are relatively dense. As such, a dentist can use X-ray equipments to examine teeth and gum.

Radiologic technology is the science, involving the use of x-rays for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. The radiographer performs the examination which creates the images needed for diagnosis. Radiography needs scientific knowledge and the technical skills to provide quality patient care and to get important diagnostic information. Radiographers must understanding human anatomy, pathology and physiology, and the medical terms. Radiographers link patients and radiologists. They should remain sensitive to both physical and emotional needs of the patient. They should also involve ethical judgment and critical thinking while at work. The provision of customer service and quality improvement allows radiographers to become an accountable part of the health care team by assessing professional performance.

Radiography is a profession that changes due to technological advances and demand for change driven by shortages in personnel within the healthcare system. Some radiographers have utilized their skill and expertise so as to increase the expertise available to patients, thus improving the health care of patients. The role of radiographers expands, and so does the potential for risks. As such, they must care for patients appropriately and comply with code of professional conduct. Each health professional is still accountable and responsible for their actions legally. Threats that could arise through radiographers' role expanding include medico-legal.

The importance of professionalism in health care

Professionalism can be divided into three different sections. These are professional parameters, professional behaviours and values, and professional responsibilities.

Professional parameters is relating to the principles of ethical and lawful matters. Professional behaviours and values are relating to the area of knowledge and abilities, and also bonds with patients and team members. Professional responsibilities include personal, employers, patients and social responsibilities.

Behaviours mean attitudes. Values mean beliefs of one’s self. Professional behaviours and values could be broken down into altruism, acceptance and non-judgemental attitude, confidentiality, accountability, communication between professional and patient, as well as self-improvement.

Altruism is defined as an unselfish act in response to a goal in offering service to others. This applies when a patient comes to a health care professional for treatment. In this situation, the patient’s needs are crucial to attend to rather than the individual professional’s own needs but this does not mean that the professional must put aside or sacrifice their health or other factors in their life for the sake of the patient. In terms of giving care, compassion and treatment to the patient, a professional must prioritize the patient first rather than himself.

Say for example, a physician finishes his shift for the day and is about to leave his workplace when an emergency accident case of a child comes in. There is a lack of workforce at that period of time as it is the holiday season. Instead of leaving the hospital to attend to an appointment made after work, the physician should attend to the case before leaving.

Altruism can also be associated with genuineness, empathy and compassion while performing a task. When a person is evoked with empathy towards another individual, altruistic motive is created. In other words, empathy gives rise to help being provided to the individual in need. Indirectly, altruism not only enriches the experience of a professional but also matures the professional with in numerous cases handled every day. Professionals with altruism will have good social relationships with patients and colleagues. On the whole, altruism is being passionate about one’s profession.

Another key ingredient in professionalism is acceptance and non-judgemental attitude. Accepting a patient include listening and responding to patient’s feelings with sensitivity, showing sincere concern towards the problem, recognizing others’ opinions and generating respect. Besides that, acceptance is also inclusive of construction of patient’s strengths and recognizing the ability of each patient for transformation to overcome problems.

On the contrary, there are many causes which hinder a professional from practicing these values. Among them are deficiency in psychology knowledge and self-awareness, unfairness, and biasness.

On the other hand, non-judgemental attitude is allied with acceptance. In a smaller picture, non-judgmentalism is defined as free from favouritism and prejudice. A professional is ought to treat a patient with rights rather than taking the patient as an entity. As a matter of fact, patients should be treated and cared for with equality and without judging social class, race, colour or creed.

Another vital cornerstone in professionalism is confidentiality. Confidentiality is the responsibility of not disclosing a patient’s information to colleagues or members of the society. This information is sensitive as they comprise of the patient’s feelings, discussions and feedbacks from the professionals plus medical records. The chief elements are trust, truthfulness and fidelity which must be rooted in both professional and patient. In a patient-professional relationship, patients disclose embarrassing, shameful and agonizing information to the professional with great trust and expectations that the professional will safeguard this information.

Confidentiality is not absolute whereby under a specific situation, revelation of information is required. For example, when a problem is suspected, such as child abuse. In this case, it is the responsibility of the professional to take appropriate actions based on the ethical laws.

Besides that, another requirement of a professional is to be accountable. Accountability means being liable to one’s judgments and being able to give explanations when required. Related to this, professionals must be knowledgeable and experienced in their skills and performance in accordance to their practice. This includes fulfilling the duty to obey by the ethical laws and avoid appalling practices and responsibility towards patients.

Accountability has connection with patient-professional relationship. A helping relationship is formed based on this fundamental relationship. Basically, a helping relationship is whereby a professional addresses solutions and advice to the patient as part of the recovery process. This relationship should be mutual in which the professional acknowledges the views of the patient. Essentially, a professional should be familiar with the faiths and values of the patient as well as to decide what is best for the patient. Not only that, a professional should be able to empower and motivate a patient for an ongoing process of treatment which requires psychological skills. On the other hand, the patient should be informed specifically regarding the medical care received.

Patients approach the professional due to mental and physical ailments. So, the professional should give the best care to the patient. With efficient communication skills and positive nature of the patient’s participation, this relationship will continue to grow with time as long as there is readiness to listen and congruency from both parties.

Another component in professionalism is collegiality. Collegiality is the relationship between colleagues who seek the requirement of respect, mutual trust, acknowledgement of each other’s knowledge and cooperation between team mates. As this relationship can have an adverse effect on a patient’s wellbeing, it is the duty of the professional to maintain healthy relationships with their team mates. This involves critical teamwork skills especially when it comes to referrals, consultations, discussions and diagnoses. When a conflict occurs, team mates should discuss the matter without being affected by personal prejudice and come up with a suitable solution. With this, the patient is guaranteed to receive a standard and holistic care.

From a professional point of view, self-improvement is another key substance in the practice of health care. A professional should evaluate themselves rationally from time to time based on their attitudes, efficiency and interest in their field of practice without presuming that everything is known well to them. With respect to this, a professional is expected to continue education to update their knowledge and skills. Not only that, they should get involved in discussions with other health care professionals, professional training and consultations. The experience obtained will ensure delivery of appropriate treatment with efficiency.

A professional should also seek help from other professionals when required. The willingness to accept critics should also be implanted as this will lead to a better understanding of the level of competency of a professional. It is solely the duty of the professional to ensure that the standards and values practiced are in par with the level of competency required.

In conclusion, the professional behaviours mentioned, if practiced to the utmost interest, will generate a positive impact among health care professionals in order to offer quality service and treatment to the patients. Together with the practice of professional parameters and responsibilities, there will be an indirectly pose on the health care system to be effective in serving the public.

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