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The art of caring for children's health

PEDIATRICS: Pediatrics, a branch of medicine dedicated to comprehensive health care for children and adolescents, is one of the most noble and demanded specialties. Pediatricians are the doctors of the youngest, responsible for ensuring healthy growth and development, from birth to adolescence. ** What are the main functions of a pediatrician? The functions of a pediatrician go beyond simply treating diseases. Among his responsibilities are: * **Prevention of diseases:** Through vaccines, growth and development controls, and recommendations on healthy lifestyles. * Diagnosis:** Early identification of diseases and disorders, both physical and emotional. * Treatment:** Administration of appropriate medical and pharmacological treatments for each patient. * Education:** Guidance to parents and caregivers on issues related to child health, such as food, hygiene, safety and psychosocial development. ** Academic Preparation and Graduate Profile To become a pediatrician...

The art of caring for children's health

PEDIATRICS: Pediatrics, a branch of medicine dedicated to comprehensive health care for children and adolescents, is one of the most noble and demanded specialties. Pediatricians are the doctors of the youngest, responsible for ensuring healthy growth and development, from birth to adolescence. ** What are the main functions of a pediatrician? The functions of a pediatrician go beyond simply treating diseases. Among his responsibilities are: * **Prevention of diseases:** Through vaccines, growth and development controls, and recommendations on healthy lifestyles. * Diagnosis:** Early identification of diseases and disorders, both physical and emotional. * Treatment:** Administration of appropriate medical and pharmacological treatments for each patient. * Education:** Guidance to parents and caregivers on issues related to child health, such as food, hygiene, safety and psychosocial development. ** Academic Preparation and Graduate Profile To become a pediatrician...

GENERAL MEDICINE

**The first contact with health General medicine, also known as family medicine or primary care, is the first level of medical care. It is a specialty that is in charge of the comprehensive health of the individual and his family, addressing a wide range of diseases and medical conditions throughout all stages of life. ** Academic training and graduate profile To become a general practitioner, you need to pursue a university degree in medicine. This training, which usually lasts between 6 and 7 years, provides the student with a solid foundation in basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology, as well as in the main clinical areas: internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, surgery, etc. Once the degree is over, general practitioners usually carry out a medical residency in Family Medicine to delve into the specific knowledge and skills of this specialty. During the residency, the doctors in training gain experience in the diagnosis, treatment an...

BASIC PROTOCOLS OF NURSING AND GENERAL MEDICINE IN HOSPITALIZATION

Nursing protocols and general medicine form the basis of hospitalized patient care. These standardized procedures guarantee the quality and safety of care, while optimizing the use of resources. In this article, we will focus on the most basic and important protocols that are carried out within hospital facilities, emphasizing waiting room care, taking vital signs and biosecurity measures. ** Care in the waiting room The waiting room is the first point of contact of the patient with the health service. Therefore, it is essential to guarantee a comfortable and safe environment. The main functions of the nurse in this space include: * Patient registration:** Verify the identity of the patient and update their data in the system. * Guideline:** Provide clear and concise information on the procedures to be followed and waiting times. * FIRST AID:** IMMEDIATELY attend to any emergency that may arise. * Temperature control:** Maintain a suitable ambient temperature for the ...

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION

** In a comprehensive hospital organization ** Consultation, both internal and external, is a fundamental mechanism in the functioning of a comprehensive hospital organization. Through it, it seeks to obtain information, knowledge and diverse perspectives for decision-making, problem solving and the continuous improvement of services. **Internal Consultation Internal consultation refers to the search for opinions and knowledge within the organization itself. It can involve at different hierarchical levels and functional areas. Its main objectives are: * Generate ideas:** Encourage employee participation in identifying opportunities for improvement and problem solving. * Consolidate knowledge:** Take advantage of the specialized knowledge of health professionals to address complex challenges. * Increase commitment:** Engage employees in decision-making processes, strengthening their sense of belonging and commitment to the organization. **Types of internal consulta...

Social Security and the Pension and Retirement Health System

Social Security (health system), better known as Health Care, is the government-run insurance system that provides financial resources and medical services to people disabled by illness or accident. Social security systems exist in many countries, especially in Western Europe and Latin America. Health systems are often coordinated with other social security mechanisms such as pension programs, unemployment benefits, and workers' compensation. ** HISTORY OF SOCIAL SECURITY ** The first country to establish a national health system was Germany. German Chancellor Prince Otto von Bismarck obtained the enactment of a law on compulsory health insurance in 1883, which was supported by the State. Different types of social security were introduced in the 19th century in other European countries such as Austria-Hungary, Norway in 1909, Sweden in 1910 and Great Britain and Russia in 1911. After World War II, the growth of European health systems was extensive, although the amo...

TYPOLOGY OF MEDICAL FACILITIES

The first hospitals grouped all patients in a single room, regardless of their illness. Notable exceptions were mental nursing homes, quarantine centers and tuberculosis sanatoriums that were established at the end of the 19th century. Although advances in treatments have made most of these special institutions unnecessary, others have appeared dedicated to treating certain types of patients or diseases. Thanks to the advantages of specialized techniques and equipment, there are independent hospitals for women and children and for the treatment of eye diseases and disorders such as cancer. This type of hospital is usually associated with institutions dedicated to research and teaching. Modern general hospitals can consist of an urban medical center with a thousand or more beds, to which several more specialized hospitals are attached; or it can be a small center of 10 to 20 beds, serving a community of a few thousand people, with general medicine, surgery and maternity servi...

Epidemiology: A map to understand diseases

Epidemiology, the science that studies distribution and the determinants of health and disease in human populations, has become an indispensable tool to understand and control diseases. This discipline, in constant evolution, branches into various subdisciplines, each with a specific approach and a set of particular analytical tools. ** CLASSIFICATION OF Epidemiology Sub-Brands The classification of epidemiology sub-branches may vary according to different criteria, but broadly speaking, we can distinguish the following: * Descriptive epidemiology:** It is responsible for describing the distribution of diseases in terms of person, place and time. It seeks to identify patterns and trends that can suggest hypotheses about causal factors. * Analytical Epidemiology:** goes beyond the description, seeking to identify the risk factors associated with the disease. It uses study designs such as clinical trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies. * Experimental Epidem...

Traumatology: An overview of its sub-branchings and its current importance

Traumatology, as a medical specialty, is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its field of action is broad and ranges from fractures and dislocations to degenerative and tumor diseases. Over time, trauma has diversified into various subspecialties, each focused on a specific area of the musculoskeletal system. ** Classification of Traumatology Sub-Brands The classification of trauma sub-branches may vary according to different schools and medical societies. However, some of the most recognized subspecialties are: * SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY:** It is responsible for the injuries that occur during sports, from mild sprains to complex injuries that require surgery. * Traumatology of the foot and ankle:** Focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle pathologies, such as fractures, sprains, tendinitis and deformities. * Hand and Wrist Traumatology:** Specializes in hand and wrist injuries, whi...

Virology: Exploring the world of viruses

VIROLOGY Virology is a branch of biology dedicated to the study of viruses, those tiny infectious agents who, despite their structural simplicity, have had a profound impact on the history of humanity. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, which means they need to infect living cells in order to replicate and cause disease. **What do virologists study?** Virologists investigate a wide range of virus-related aspects, including: * **Viral structure:** They analyze the chemical composition and form of viruses, from the simplest viruses to the most complex. * Classification and evolution:** They classify viruses in groups according to their genetic and structural characteristics, and study how they have evolved over time. * Replication cycle:** They investigate the processes by which viruses adhere to cells, penetrate them, replicate their genetic material and produce new viral particles. * PATHOGENESIS:** They study how viruses cause diseases in host organisms, fr...

Parasitology: Exploring the world of parasites

What is parasitology? ** Parasitology is a branch of biology dedicated to the study of parasite organisms, their relationship with their hosts and the impact they have on ecosystems. A parasite is an organism that lives on or within another organism (host), from which it obtains nutrients and protection, causing it damage to a greater or lesser extent. ** Parasitology sub-branches** Parasitology is divided into several sub-branches, each focused on a specific aspect: * Medical parasitology:** Study the parasites that infect humans and cause diseases such as malaria, amibiasis or schistosomiasis. * Veterinary Parasitology:** Focuses on parasites that affect domestic and wild animals, such as helminths in dogs or protozoa in fish. * Agricultural parasitology:** Investigates parasites that damage crops and farm animals, affecting food production. * Parasite ecology: ** Analyze the relationship between parasites and their hosts in the context of ecosystems, and how the...

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Alternative medicine, also known as complementary and integrative medicine (MCI), encompasses a wide spectrum of practices and approaches that are not part of conventional medicine. These therapies are used to treat or prevent diseases, improve general well-being and complement traditional medical treatments. Types of alternative medicine: The MCI can be classified into various categories, some of the most common are: * Complete Medical Systems:** Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy. * Mind-Body Techniques:** Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi, Mindfulness. * Biology-based practices:** Phytotherapy, nutrition, dietary supplements. * Manipulative therapies:** Chiropractic, osteopathy, therapeutic massage. * Energy therapies:** Reiki, acupuncture, biomagnetism. THE DOCTORS AND NURSES HANDBOOK General Medical and Nursing Practice and Theory for Hospital Staff Paperback version, 7X10 Full 16 Font Objective of alternative medicine in the hospital setting: ...

INTRA-OPERATIVE MONITORING OF THE PATIENT DURING SURGERY

** Monitoring of the Emergency Patient: A Multidisciplinary Approach ** Urgency in the operating room demands a rapid and coordinated response from the entire medical team.** From the moment a patient is classified as an emergency and scheduled for surgery, a rigorous monitoring process begins that involves surgeons, nurses, and other health professionals. ** Preparing the Surgeon for a Surgical Emergency ** Surgeons, as leaders of the surgical team, play a crucial role in the care of emergency patients. Their preparation involves: * Deep knowledge of the pathology: The surgeon must have a thorough knowledge of the medical condition that requires immediate surgery, as well as the possible complications and treatments. * Availability: Surgeons on call must always be ready to respond to emergency calls and arrive at the operating room in the shortest possible time. * Coordination with other teams: They must coordinate closely with anesthesiologists, circulating nurses, a...

EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Emergency medicine stands as a vital medical specialty within the health landscape, acting as the first line of defense in critical situations that threaten the health and life of patients. Its dynamic and multidisciplinary approach makes it a fundamental pillar for comprehensive health care, providing immediate and specialized support in the most challenging moments". Concept and scope of emergency medicine Emergency medicine is defined as the branch of medicine that is responsible for the evaluation, diagnosis and initial treatment of patients who have acute or traumatic pathologies that compromise their health status immediately. Its scope of action ranges from pre-hospital care, provided at the scene of the incident, to the stabilization and management of the patient in the hospital emergency department. THE DOCTORS AND NURSES HANDBOOK General Medical and Nursing Practice and Theory for Hospital Staff Paperback version, 7X10 Full 16 Font Types of medical...

SPORTS MEDICINE

Sports medicine is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on the health care of people involved in physical activities and sports. It encompasses a wide spectrum of services, from preventive health care and injury rehabilitation to optimization of sports performance and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Types of sports medicine Sports medicine can be classified into different subspecialties, each with a specific focus on the needs of athletes: **1. Clinical sports medicine:** Focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries, chronic and acute diseases related to sports. It includes physical evaluations, laboratory tests, x-rays, ultrasounds and other diagnostic techniques. **2. Exercise Physiology:** Study the physiological effects of exercise on the human body, providing valuable information for optimization of sports performance, recovery and injury prevention. **3. Sports Nutrition:** Advises athletes on the appropriate diet to mee...

FORENSIC MEDICINE

Forensic medicine stands as a crucial discipline in the field of social sciences, providing specialized tools and knowledge for the investigation of crimes and the administration of justice. " Its scientific and objective approach makes it possible to elucidate relevant facts in complex scenarios, contributing to clarify the truth and guarantee the proper protection of human rights. Concept and definition: Forensic medicine, also known as legal medicine, is defined as the branch of medicine that applies its knowledge and techniques to the legal field, with the aim of helping justice in the investigation of crimes, the identification of victims, the determination of the causes of death and the evaluation of injuries body. THE DOCTORS AND NURSES HANDBOOK General Medical and Nursing Practice and Theory for Hospital Staff Paperback version, 7X10 Full 16 Font Types or classification: Forensic medicine is subdivided into various specialized areas, each with a sp...

INTERNAL MEDICINE

The field of medicine is divided into various branches and specialties, each with a specific focus and objectives. Among the most important are **internal medicine** and **external medicine**, two areas that, despite sharing the same final objective of preserving the patient's health, differ in their methodology and scope. **Internal Medicine: Deepening complexity** Internal medicine focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases that affect **adults**. Unlike general medicine, which offers comprehensive primary and preventive care, internal medicine specializes in **complex and chronic pathologies**, which often require a multidisciplinary approach. Internist doctors have extensive training in **physiopathology, clinical diagnosis and management of systemic diseases**. Their work is carried out mainly in hospital settings, where they have the opportunity to evaluate and treat patients with conditions that cover a wide range of specialties, such as: * Car...