A Brief Overview of the Allied Health Sector

In the past few years, there has been a drastic increase in the demand for the allied health workforce in the healthcare sector. It has been found that there are more than 2,00,000 allied health practitioners in Australia as of September 2021. The numbers are expected to increase further in the next few years. Allied health professionals are usually responsible for providing a wide range of services to the elderly or those with physical disabilities or mental health disorders. Allied health professionals provide direct health services to these patients, in addition to technical, diagnostic, and therapeutic services. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the concept of allied health and what it entails.

Allied health – definition

Allied health is generally concerned with a wide range of careers in the healthcare industry. Allied health professionals support the healthcare system in different kinds of settings. Although the allied health workers are part of the healthcare industry, their roles are different from doctors, nurses, and others involved in medicine and pharmacy. Most times, the duties of the allied health professionals are related to health promotion, diet, nutrition, and the analysis of disorders and diseases in a patient. Some allied health workers also provide help in the rehabilitation of patients and the management of the health system.

Since allied health is a relatively new concept, a universally accepted definition for the term has not been formulated yet. There is also no set criteria for categorizing allied health careers. Different health service providers, government departments, health insurers, and education providers include various professions under allied health. However, there is an agreement on one determiner – all the healthcare professions that are not a part of the medical, nursing, or dental professions form the allied health professions. They consist of healthcare practitioners who hold a relevant university degree, specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide variety of illnesses and conditions.

Allied health workers usually work in multidisciplinary healthcare, and they help provide specialized support according to the needs of the patients. The organization of Allied Health Professions Australia has provided a working definition for the profession. It describes allied health professionals as–

● Someone who is involved in the role of direct patient care. Their role can be applied to the health outcomes of the general public as well.

● Someone whose profession is a part of a professional organization, whether national or international. The organization should have clearly defined requirements for membership and a proper code of conduct and ethics.

● A professional who has qualified a health sciences course (except medicine, nursing, and dental) from a University. The system should be accredited by the national accreditation body and AQF Level 7 or higher.

● A profession with a well-defined scope of practice and robust regulatory mechanisms that are enforceable.

● The profession should have been clearly articulated in the competency standards at the entry level.

In addition to these, here are some additional features that describe allied health professionals-

● Allied health professionals are autonomous practitioners.

● They use the internationally accepted knowledge to practice in an evidence-based paradigm. They work towards protecting, restoring, and maintaining the patients’ optimal sensory, physical, cognitive, psychological, cultural, and social functions.

● They might work as technicians, assistants, and support workers.

What are some allied health professions?

According to a study, around 60 percent of healthcare workers are part of the allied health professions. So it is quite evident that the list of all allied health professions would be quite long. Here are some of the careers included in the allied health sector –

1. Chiropractors – These allied health professionals are involved in diagnosing and treating mechanical and physiological disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

2. Audiologists – They assess and treat hearing disorders and prevent balance issues.

3. Exercise Physiologists – These allied health professionals focus on rehabilitation and providing therapy for injuries, chronic disease, and disabilities through exercise.

4. Dietitians – They advise the patients on nutrition, weight, health management, or medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid, etc.

5. Medical Imaging Workers – The professionals employed in this profession consist of radiographers, radiologists, and sonographers.

6. Osteopaths – These allied health professionals manipulate the musculoskeletal system to treat injuries and prevent escalation.

7. Occupational Therapists – They assist patients with a variety of illnesses. They also help people with disabilities keep up with daily living skills and work.

8. Perfusionists – They are usually involved in operating the machinery during surgery to monitor the physiological status.

9. Orthotists – They prescribe braces and other devices to people with mobility and rehabilitation needs. They also help in correcting deformities and relieving discomfort.

10. Pharmacists – They are usually involved in the preparation and dispensation. Medicines. They often advise people how to use the medication. Some pharmacists also work in research.

11. Podiatrists – These allied health professionals treat feet and lower limbs-related conditions.

12. Psychologists study, treat and evaluate behavioral and mental processes.

13. Physiotherapists – They focus on diagnosing and managing movement disorders and injuries.

14. Social Workers – They help people deal with issues related to personal and social life. They assist with counseling, community engagement, and advocacy.

Besides these professions, dental assistants, medical assistants, healthcare administrators, and surgical, radiological, and cardiovascular technologists also come in the allied health professions.

Qualities required to work in allied health

For pursuing a career as an allied health professional, a person should possess some necessary traits and qualities. Following is a brief overview of some of them –

●       Congenial Personality: If you are working in the allied health sector, the chances are that you will be interacting with many patients daily. Although this largely depends on your field, you need to have an amiable personality to put the patients to ease. The patients coming into the healthcare organization could be nervous, and when you talk to them gently and help them, they would feel more comfortable. A good professional should try to create a positive environment for the patient.

●       Communication Skills: There can be many situations where an allied health worker can be forced to work with complex medical information. It is important for an allied health worker to have the necessary cognitive and communication skills to understand and communicate complex information to others. They should be able to do so both in writing and verbally. An allied health worker with good communication skills will simplify terms and concepts so that the patients understand them easily. In addition to that, they should use the proper medical words with co-workers and other personnel.

●       Team Player: Another important skill an allied health professional must possess is being a team player. The common goal of all healthcare professionals is to serve the patients and provide them with the best quality care. Professionals need to work together and help each other achieve these common goals.

Conclusion

From this article, it is amply evident what allied health is and the duties of allied health professionals. The allied health professionals work in sensitive environments, and there are a lot of risks that can present themselves in various situations. Whether it is a professional indemnity claim or a public liability claim, allied health insurance can prove to be quite useful for all allied health professionals. A small mistake can come with huge consequences in the allied health sector, so you can consider getting allied health insurance coverage. 

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