ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

1. Meet With Patients

It is the duty of all health care providers to meet with patients and assess their needs. This involves speaking with the patient or a relative to ascertain the problem. A physical examination will then take place. If the health care provider can conclusively diagnose the ailment, she will advise the patient on what course of action to take. If further testing is required, it is the duty of the health care provider to arrange these tests.

2.     Follow Professional Standards

All health care providers must follow the accepted professional standards for their specific profession. These include directions on how to conduct interviews with patients, the keeping of records and how to make decisions. The American Medical Association (AMA) is the professional body for doctors and physicians and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is the professional body for nurses. Failure to follow professional standards can result in legal cases of negligence against the health care provider instigated by the patient or the professional body itself.

3.     Direct Patient To Specialist

It is the duty of the health care provider to direct the patient to the appropriate specialist if his is unable to provide care. The health care provider will explain to the patient the extent of his condition, outline why he cannot continue to treat them--whether it is lack of knowledge, equipment or time--and outline several specialists that can carry on the patient’s treatment.

4.     Liaise With Other Health Care Providers

In a hospital or care home environment it is the duty of the health care providers to work together to provide a coherent approach to the care of a patient. Keeping records up to date and making sure that all staff know about the condition of the patient is important. Nurses often deal with the daily care of the patient, monitoring health and improvement. They pass any concerns along a doctor who will decide the best course of action and refer the patient to a specialist for treatment. Health care providers working in a hospital also work with health care providers outside the hospital to provide further care as needed by the patient.

5.     Providing Critical and General Information

It is the legal responsibility of a provider to draw attention to critical aspects of drug side effects or risks involved in particular surgeries or long-term usage of specific medications. No health care provider has the right to skip critical details that could adversely affect a patient's outcomes. In addition, it is the health care provider's moral and legal obligation to inform a patient about his chances for survival or lack of improvement in certain situations. For example, a patient in Stage IV lung cancer might need to write a will or get his affairs in order.