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Blog Summary
Allied health sciences deal with diagnostic methods like blood analysis, radiography, pathology, and histopathology to support physicians treat patients accurately with proper analysis and diagnosis of the diseases. Get to work as clinical research associates, medical writers, clinical data coordinators, etc. Allied Health course is a system to assess, treat, diagnose and discharge patients. It adopts a holistic approach and deals with prevention and improvement of health to enhance the lifespan of citizens. It offers specializations in art, drama, music, speech and occupational therapy, to name a few. TAU is a pioneer in Zambia offering quality Allied Health Science Programs.
What is Allied Health Science Course?
Everyone passionate about serving in the healthcare industry cannot become a doctor or medical practitioner. Allied Health Science courses provide an opportunity to be a practitioner in challenging ever-evolving spheres of healthcare. It is a field of study in the medical domain that deals with diagnostic methods like blood analysis, radiography, pathology, and histopathology. Also, allied health professionals support the physicians to treat the patients accurately with their proper analysis and diagnosis of the diseases.
Scope of Allied Health Science Programs
Allied Health Science courses or programs train the graduates for developing diversified careers. Here we have identified the scope of Allied Health Science programs from a career perspective.
1. Clinical Research Associates (CRA)
A clinical research associate’s role is to monitor the entire process of clinical trials. A CRA will monitor clinical site activities, review case report forms, visit sites, and liaisons with Clinical research coordinators.
2. Medical Writers
Medical Writers in Allied health Science programs play the role of maintaining clinical trial documents. Such documents help to clearly describe research results, the usefulness of products, and information about all medical information.
3. Clinical Data Coordinators
Their role is to coordinate administrative tasks by handling various information about patients and other official documents. The documents collated are used for validation and clinical studies.
4. Drug Development Associate
Primarily a Drug Development Associate analyzes the risks and benefits of a developed drug in society.
5. Clinical Project Manager
Clinical Research Projects involve complex flow structures. The clinical Project Manager ensures the projects comply with the clinical objectives and protocols.
6. Clinical Research Manager
New Medications or Drugs are developed under the supervision of Clinical Research Managers. The Clinical Research Managers supervise drug development and act as a connecting bridge between research sites and sponsors.
7. Regulatory Affairs Manager
They ensure a company abides by the Regulation Compliance stipulated by the governing bodies. The Regulatory Affairs Managers come up with strategies and also look after complete documentation of the regulatory process.
8. Clinical Data Manager
Clinical Data Managers’ role is to maintain statistics and data of clinical trials accurately. They are also assigned the roles of executing data tests and analysis plans.
9. Analytical Chemist
Analytical chemists play all-encompassing roles in Industry, Academia, and Government services. They develop products, processes; design analytical analysis instruments, and work as Marketers and Law practitioners.
10. Biostatisticians
They are involved in various roles like consulting, teaching, research, analysts, study current literature on pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences.
List of Allied health sciences courses
Allied Health Professionals course is a system to assess, treat, diagnose and discharge patients. It adopts a holistic healthcare approach. These professionals take up the role of prevention and improvement of health to improve the lifespan of citizens.
Internationally 11 types of prominent Allied Health Science Courses are identified. Here is a summary of those specializations:
1. Art Therapists
Art Therapists are basically Psychotherapists exploring various forms of arts to improve individuals suffering from health problems, physical disabilities, life-limiting conditions, neurological problems, or physical illness.
2. Drama therapists
They are stage performers and psychotherapists who employ stage/drama and therapy to heal patients with various psychological disorders.
3. Music therapists
These therapists employ live musical interactions to help individual’s emotional well-being. It enables individuals of all age groups and with physical abilities. Most importantly, it helps to develop better communication and bonding between new-born babies and parents. It also helps individuals receiving end-of-life care.
4. Chiropodists/Podiatrists
Allied Health Professionals who take care of acute foot problems by giving patients with foot-care are Podiatrists. Usually, they handle patients in high-risk categories such as diabetes, cerebral palsy, peripheral arterial disease, and peripheral nerve damage.
5. Dietitians
Dieticians use scientific research methods and advocate suitable diets to individuals or the public to solve nutritional and diet problems.
6. Occupational therapists
They ensure the rehabilitation of individuals who would have withdrawn from society due to psychological ailments. They facilitate individuals to care for themselves, work, learn, play and interact with others.
7. Paramedics
They are veteran ambulance healthcare professionals who operate during accidents or medical emergencies. They will be well trained in handling advanced medical equipment like defibrillators, spinal and traction splints, intravenous drips, and administering oxygen and drugs.
8. Physiotherapists
They help patients with neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory problems to recover by giving physical therapy advice, rehabilitation, health promotional activities, and ensuring behavioral change.
9. Radiographers
They are technicians who use advanced image capturing tools to capture high-quality images for diagnosing diseases. Also, Therapeutic Radiographers play a vital role in treating patients who have cancer.
10. Prosthetists and Orthotists
Prosthetists offer solutions to Limb loss patients. They provide Engineering solutions and Gait analysis to patients.
Orthotists offer Engineering and Gait solutions to patients suffering from problems in neuro, muscular and skeletal systems.
11. Speech and language therapists
These Allied Health Science Professionals help children with speaking and language disabilities to hone their speaking.
Complete details of allied health science courses in Zambia
Today, students are keen on pursuing Allied Health Science courses and often develop the question–which is the best-allied health science course? Texila American University is one of the pioneer educational institutions in Zambia offering quality Allied Health Science Programs. Various programs offered by the university are:
Master of Public Health
It is one of Zambia’s sought-after Health Science courses offered by one of Zambia’s best universities. The course is of 2 Years duration, and students totally study 10 subjects.
Conclusion
An acute shortage of Allied Health Science Professionals is identified in the Zambia National Health Strategic Plan 2011-2016. The country faces the need for more quality Biomedical Scientists, Pharmacists, Radiographers, Prosthetist-Orthotists, and Physiotherapists. Universities like Texila American University and the University of Zambia have developed rigorous Allied Health Science programs.
Moreover, many Universities are competing to offer the best health courses in Zambia. As Allied Health Science Professionals play a significant role in enabling physicians and surgeons to administer the best possible treatment, health science courses are in high demand and provide a sense of contentment as a career.
With many Healthcare universities of Zambia offering Diploma, Bachelors, Masters, and PhD courses in Allied Health Sciences, Zambia is emerging as one of the important human resource providers for the global healthcare sector.
