A health care provider can treat a disease, injury, or condition by using medicine, therapy, surgery, or other techniques to control the problem, lessen symptoms, or cure it. Treatments may also include counseling, support, education, or referrals to other health care providers and services.
Medical Treatment versus First Aid
A patient’s medical treatment includes any care that a physician, nurse practitioner, or other health professional provides to a sick or injured person in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or other setting. The term “medical treatment” usually covers a variety of procedures, including examinations, X-rays, blood tests, and physical therapies.
The difference between treatment and a cure is an important one to understand. A cure means that a medical problem is gone for good.
First aid is the immediate and routine care that a medical professional must provide to an injured or sick person. These interventions include cleaning the wound, removing any foreign objects with tweezers or other simple tools, applying antiseptic and nonprescription medications and bandaging on the initial visit, and follow-up visits for observation.
In some situations, a medical professional can provide life-sustaining treatment without consent if it is believed the patient will die within a short period of time if the patient does not receive the medical treatment or procedure. This treatment is called cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Other situations where health care providers can give emergency medical treatment without patient consent involve situations in which a healthy person suddenly loses capacity, or the ability to make decisions, such as during an accident. In these cases, the person who is the decision maker must be someone who has been designated on a surrogate list by the patient. If the designated person is not willing to be a surrogate, another person on the list can be selected.
When it comes to treatment, the best thing patients can do is ask questions. That way, they can be sure that their health care provider is providing them with the best possible care.
What should I do if my doctor says something that makes me uncomfortable?
The doctor should always take the time to explain everything to a patient. He or she is the person who knows the patient best and should be able to answer all of their questions in a clear, truthful way.
If the doctor is not comfortable talking to you about your health, then it’s likely that they are not the right person to help you with your care. If you are having trouble talking with your doctor, talk to a friend or family member who is more knowledgeable and can ask the right questions.
Is there any way to avoid getting a bill for a high-cost medical treatment?
A recent survey shows that a majority of American adults are worried about being able to afford to pay for medical bills in case they become ill or injured. This is especially true of Hispanic Americans, who are twice as likely as other racial and ethnic groups to say they are worried about being able to afford care in the event of an illness or injury.