ABSTRACT

All health care students must be familiar with the basic concepts of health care in the United States. This introductory textbook presents vital information on health care careers and legal, ethical, financial, and policy issues that will help their future practice. It includes chapters on:

  • careers in the health care profession;
  • the complexity of health care;
  • the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act;
  • professionalism in health;
  • health care for special populations;
  • the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards;
  • research and advancements in health care;
  • the future of health care.

Fundamentals of U.S. Health Care is unique in the way it highlights the important elements of each health career, including job requirements, length of study, and salaries. With the student in mind, this book is accompanied by a website that features detailed PowerPoints and test banks with more than 1,000 review questions.

Well-organized and easily understood, this overview provides a reliable, relevant resource and up-to-date reference. It is essential reading for all allied health students, including nurses, surgical technicians, dental hygienists, radiology technicians, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, physician assistants, and more.

part I|77 pages

Health care today

chapter 1|32 pages

The complexity of health care

chapter 3|22 pages

Legal and ethical aspects of health care

part II|37 pages

Financial management

chapter 5|16 pages

Customer service

part III|70 pages

Professionals and professional practice

chapter 6|46 pages

Careers in the health care profession

chapter 7|22 pages

Professionalism in health care

part IV|94 pages

Patient populations

chapter 8|21 pages

Health care for special populations

chapter 9|20 pages

Introduction to global health issues

chapter 10|26 pages

Global health

Communicable and non-communicable diseases

chapter 11|25 pages

Emergencies

part V|54 pages

Safety in the workplace

chapter 12|20 pages

Infection control

part VI|56 pages

Communication in the health care profession

chapter 14|21 pages

The communication process

chapter 15|19 pages

Computers and technology in health care

chapter 16|14 pages

Record-keeping

part VII|31 pages

Predictions for health care in the United States

chapter 17|16 pages

Research and advancements in health care

chapter 18|13 pages

The future of health care