Dr. Herman Rosen at Landmark College: Allied Health is a Growth Industry
By Yehuda Bayme
(L-R) Pres. Peter Eden, Mascot Finn, and Trustee Belle O’Brien at Landmark College
Dr. Herman Rosen, a board certified nephrologist and clinical professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical School, discussed, at a recent lecture at Landmark College in Putney, Vermont, the growing field of allied health professionals (people in the medical field that are not doctors or nurses). He discussed examples of how these workers are in demand and will be in even greater demand in the next few years.
His main example came from his own specialty, nephrology. In end-stage renal disease (kidney disease in which there is no medicine that can be administered to get rid of it) treatment can be either dialysis or transplantation. Dialysis, which is a process of removing waste from the bloodstream, can keep patients alive for many years. Because dialysis is performed on an increasing number of patients three times a week, dialysis technicians are in demand.
Other examples mentioned were EMTs, paramedics, x-ray technicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and physician assistants. Because more people are getting sick due to population growth, increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes, more technology and services are needed and the industry is in growth mode. Dr. Rosen estimates that allied health is poised to grow by 40 percent by the year 2020.
He posited growth opportunities for veterinarian assistants to work as allied health professionals in animal research. He also dealt with issues of patient confidentiality, saying that medical records personnel will be needed more. He answered concerns about safety, workers fatigue and hospital policies towards patient admissions. Dr. Rosen explained that although there are problems working in the health field such as EMTs encountering violence, exposure to infectious organisms, proper training teaches workers to avoid problems.
In conclusion, Dr. Rosen mentioned that although growing, the medical industry is requiring associate or bachelors or higher degrees, so one should plan accordingly. Most important, allied health can be a rewarding profession if one is interested and passionate about helping others.#
