22 Health Professionals

Medical doctors (physicians) study, diagnose, treat and prevent illness, disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments in humans through the application of the principles and procedures of modern medicine. They plan, supervise and evaluate the implementation of care and treatment plans by other health care providers, and conduct medical education and research activities. Tasks performed usually include: conducting physical examinations of patients and interviewing them and their families to determine their health status; ordering diagnostic tests and analysing findings; prescribing and administering curative treatments and preventive measures; performing surgery and other clinical procedures; monitoring patients’ progress and response to treatment; advising on health, nutrition and lifestyle behaviours which aid prevention or treatment of disease and disorders; identifying and managing complications before, during and after childbirth; planning, managing and implementing referral plans for patients in need of specialized, long-term or other types of health care services; exchanging medical information with other health professionals to ensure continuing and comprehensive care; reporting births, deaths and notifiable diseases to government authorities; conducting research into human disorders and illnesses and preventive or curative methods. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 2211 Generalist Medical Practitioners 2212 Specialist Medical Practitioners.

Nursing and midwifery professionals provide treatment and care services for people who are physically or mentally ill, disabled or infirm, and others in need of care due to potential risks to health including before, during and after childbirth. They assume responsibility for the planning, management and evaluation of the care of patients, including the supervision of other health care workers, working autonomously or in teams with medical doctors and others in the practical application of preventive and curative measures. Tasks performed usually include: assessing, planning, providing and evaluating nursing and midwifery care for patients according to the practice and standards of modern nursing and midwifery; coordinating the care of patients in consultation with other health professionals and members of health teams; developing and implementing care plans, treatments and therapies, including administering medications; monitoring and alleviating pain and discomfort experienced by patients using a variety of therapies, including the use of painkilling drugs; monitoring patients’ health condition, including progress of pregnancy and responses to curative treatment; providing information to patients, families and communities about a range of health issues, including prevention of illness, treatment and care, pregnancy and childbirth and other topics; supervising and coordinating the work of other health care workers; conducting research on nursing and midwifery practice and preparing scientific papers and reports. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 2221 Nursing Professionals 2222 Midwifery Professionals Note The distinctions between nursing and midwifery professionals and associate professionals should be made on the basis of the nature of the work performed in relation to the tasks specified in this definition and in the relevant unit group definitions. The qualifications held by individuals or that predominate in the country are not the main factor in making this distinction, as training arrangements for nurses and midwives vary widely between countries and have varied over time within countries.

Traditional and complementary medicine professionals examine patients; prevent and treat illness, disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments; and maintain general health in humans by applying knowledge, skills and practices acquired through extensive study of the theories, beliefs and experiences originating in specific cultures. Tasks performed usually include: conducting physical examinations of patients and interviewing them and their families to determine their health status; developing and implementing treatment plans for physical, mental and psychosocial ailments using applications such as acupuncture, ayurvedic, homoeopathic and herbal medicine; evaluating and documenting patients’ progress through treatment plans; providing health, nutrition and lifestyle advice to individuals, families and communities; prescribing and preparing traditional medicines, such as herbal, plant, mineral and animal extracts, to stimulate the body’s capacity for self-healing; exchanging information about patients with other health care workers as needed to ensure continuing and comprehensive health care; conducting research into traditional and complementary medicines and treatments and disseminating findings such as through scientific papers and reports. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit group: 2230 Traditional and Complementary Medicine Professionals.

Paramedical practitioners provide advisory, diagnostic, curative and preventive medical services more limited in scope and complexity than those carried out by medical doctors. They work autonomously or with limited supervision of medical doctors, and apply advanced clinical procedures for treating and preventing diseases, injuries and other physical or mental impairments common to specific communities. Tasks performed usually include: conducting physical examinations of patients and interviewing them and their families to determine their health status and recording patients’ medical information; performing basic or more routine medical and surgical procedures, including prescribing and administering treatments, medications and other preventive or curative measures, especially for common diseases and disorders; administering or ordering diagnostic tests, such as X-ray, electrocardiogram and laboratory tests; performing therapeutic procedures such as injections, immunizations, suturing and wound care, and infection management; assisting medical doctors with complex surgical procedures; monitoring patients’ progress and response to treatment, and identifying signs and symptoms requiring referral to medical doctors; advising patients and families on diet, exercise and other habits which aid prevention or treatment of disease and disorders; identifying and referring complex or unusual cases to medical doctors, hospitals or other places for specialized care; reporting births, deaths and notifiable diseases to government authorities to meet legal and professional reporting requirements. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit group: 2240 Paramedical Practitioners.

Veterinarians diagnose, prevent and treat diseases, injuries and dysfunctions of animals. They may provide care to a wide range of animals; specialize in the treatment of a particular animal group or in a particular area of specialization; or provide professional services to commercial firms producing biological and pharmaceutical products. Tasks performed usually include: determining the presence and nature of abnormal conditions by physical examination, laboratory testing and through diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound; treating animals medically and surgically, and administering and prescribing drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics; performing surgery, dressing wounds and setting broken bones; rendering obstetric services to animals; participating in programmes designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases; inoculating animals against, and testing for, infectious diseases and notifying authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases; performing autopsies to determine cause of death; advising clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 2250 Veterinarians.

Other health professionals provide health services related to dentistry, pharmacy, environmental health and hygiene, occupational health and safety, physiotherapy, nutrition, hearing, speech, vision and rehabilitation therapies. This minor group includes all human health professionals except doctors, traditional and complementary medicine practitioners, nurses, midwives and paramedical professionals. Tasks performed may include: assessing patients or clients to determine the nature of the disorder, illness or problem; developing and implementing treatment plans and evaluating and documenting patients’ progress; diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries and malformations of the teeth, mouth, jaws and associated tissues; storing, preserving, compounding,testing and dispensing medicinal products and counselling on their proper use and adverse effects; assessing, planning and implementing programmes to recognize, monitor and control environmental factors that can potentially affect human health, to improve or restore human motor functions, maximize movement ability, relieve pain syndromes, or to enhance the impact of food and nutrition on human health; diagnosing, managing and treating physical disorders affecting human hearing, communication or swallowing, or disorders of the eyes and visual system; advising clients about continued treatment and care and providing or arranging rehabilitation services; referring clients to or conferring with other health professionals or associate professionals if required. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 2261 Dentists 2262 Pharmacists 2263 Environmental and Occupational Health and Hygiene Professionals 2264 Physiotherapists 2265 Dieticians and Nutritionists 2266 Audiologists and Speech Therapists 2267 Optometrists and Ophthalmic Opticians 2269 Health Professionals Not Elsewhere Classified.