Medical Encyclopedia

 

Medical Encyclopedia

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Types of health care providers

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Types of health care providers
Types of health care providers

Alternative Names    Return to top

Physicians; Nurses; Health care providers; Doctors; Pharmacists

Information    Return to top

This article describes health professionals who provide primary care, nursing care, and specialty care. This is just one way of organizing the many types of health care providers.

PRIMARY CARE

A primary care provider (PCP) is a person you may see first for checkups and health problems. If you have a health care plan, find out what type of practitioner can serve as your PCP.

NURSING CARE

DRUG THERAPY

Licensed pharmacists have graduate training from a college of pharmacy.

Your pharmacist prepares and processes drug prescriptions that were written by your primary or specialty care provider. Pharmacists provide information to patients about medications, while also consulting with health care providers about dosages, interactions, and side effects of medicines.

Your pharmacist may also follow your progress to check the safe and effective use of your medication.

SPECIALTY CARE

Your primary care provider may refer you to professionals in various specialties when necessary, such as:

Update Date: 7/22/2008

Updated by: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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