Do you want to have a career in medicine? Why it always has to be a doctor or nurse? You can become a paramedical sciences or allied health sciences professional. Though the terms can be new to you, the roles aren’t. Have you visited the hospital and seen laboratory technicians, physical therapists, dieticians, etc.? Well, they are those professionals.
In this blog, let’s discuss the difference between paramedical sciences And allied health sciences.
All You Need To Know About Healthcare Professions
Healthcare professions focus on one thing in common, promoting, maintaining and improving individuals’ and communities’ health and well-being. They are broadly classified into many groups. Here’re a few for your reference.
- Medical doctors
- Surgeons
- Nurses
- Allied health professionals
- Paramedical professionals
- Pharmacists
- Dentists
- Psychologists and counsellors
- Public health professionals
- Healthcare administrators and managers
In one or the other way, everyone contributes to diagnosing, treating, and preventing illness, injuries and diseases. They have their unique responsibilities to patient care.
Takshashila University explains everything you need about allied health and paramedical professionals below.
Difference Between Paramedical Sciences and Allied Health Sciences
When both of these professions form crucial components of the healthcare industry, they differ in a few aspects. Here’s the difference between paramedical sciences & healthcare sciences given in a tabular column for your reference.
| Aspect | Paramedical Sciences | Allied Health Sciences |
| Definition and focus | Paramedical sciences focus on offering emergency medical services and pre-hospital care. | – Allied health sciences support medical practitioners in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions. – They do not necessarily work in emergency or pre-hospital settings. |
| Education and training | – Paramedical sciences programmes require shorter duration and prepare individuals for immediate emergency deployment. – It could be diplomas or certificates. | – Allied health sciences require extensive education, such as bachelor’s or associate’s degrees. – It is to develop complete knowledge and skills on the subject. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Candidates should have completed 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognised board in the science stream. | Candidates should have completed 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognised board in the science stream. |
| Scope of practice | Paramedical professionals provide immediate medical care and transportation of patients to medical facilities. | Allied health professionals have diverse roles, from diagnostic services to therapeutic services. |
| Workplace settings | Paramedical professionals work in ambulances, in emergency departments of hospitals, and at accident sites. | Allied health workers operate in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres, and community health centres. |
| Level of autonomy | – Paramedical professionals act according to the protocols and medical direction. – But still, they make significant decisions in emergencies. | Allied health professionals work under the supervision of medical doctors and healthcare practitioners. |
| Specialisations | Paramedical professionals have specialisations in critical care, flight medicine and tactical medicine. | Allied health professionals have various fields to specialise in, like radiography, speech-language pathology, etc. |
| Role in the patient care continuum | Paramedical professionals are first responders and provide initial patient care before reaching hospitals. | Allied health professionals contribute to different stages of patient care, from diagnosis to rehabilitation. |
| Interdisciplinary collaboration | During emergencies, paramedical professionals work closely with emergency physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. | Allied health professionals collaborate with various medical specialists and be a part of comprehensive patient care. |
| Licensing and certification | Paramedical professionals need national or state-level certification and license to practise. | Allied health professionals require certification and a license in their respective fields to practise. |
| Work hours | – Since emergency services are of a 24*7 nature, paramedical professionals work in shifts. – It could be night, day, weekends, or holidays. | Allied health professionals follow standard schedules. And it may differ from one healthcare setting to the other. |
| Technology and equipment | When the situation demands, paramedics use medical equipment, such as defibrillators, airway management tools, and splints. | Allied health professionals use medical devices and technologies like MRI, ultrasound, etc. |
| Mobility and deployment | During emergencies, paramedics get deployed in various locations, including disaster zones or remote areas, requiring frequent mobility. | Allied health professionals work in established healthcare settings and do not require frequent mobility. |
| Typical duties | Paramedical professionals assess and stabilise patients, provide emergency treatments, administer medications, and transport patients to medical facilities. | Allied health professionals’ duties vary according to their specialisation, from conducting diagnostic tests, administering therapies to providing patient care. |
| Continuing education | Paramedical professionals keep themselves updated on emergency medical protocols and procedures. | Allied health professionals stay-up-date with the advancements in their specific fields. |
| Emergency care | Paramedical professionals get involved in emergency medical care, trauma management, and rescue operations. | Allied health professionals work in clinical settings. They provide support services to patients, like therapy, etc. |
Courses In Paramedical Sciences And Allied Health Sciences
| Paramedical Sciences Courses | Allied Health Sciences Courses |
|---|---|
| Here Are Some Paramedical Sciences Courses – Diploma in Paramedical Sciences – Diploma in Emergency Medical Technician – Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology – Diploma in Radiology Technology – Diploma in Cardiac Care Technology – Diploma in X-ray Technology – Diploma in Optometry – Diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics – Diploma in ECG Technology – Diploma in Medical Radiation Technology | Here Are Some Allied Health Sciences Courses – B.Sc. Medical Lab Technology – B.Sc. Cardiology Technology – B.Sc. Cardiac Perfusion Technology – B.Sc. Operation Theatre And Anaesthesia – B.Sc. Radiography and Imaging Technology – B.Sc. Physician Assitant – B.Sc. Radiology Technology – B.Sc. Optometry Technology – B.Sc. Physiotherapy – B.Sc. Occupational Therapy |
Career Prospects of Paramedical And Allied Health Sciences
Paramedical and allied health sciences professionals can get employed in healthcare settings and emergency departments. They get competitive salaries and benefits with experience. Takshashila University’s expert faculties list the career prospects.
| Roles For Paramedical Graduates | Roles For Allied Health Sciences Graduates |
|---|---|
| Here’re some roles for paramedical graduates. – Paramedics – Emergency Medical Technicians – Critical Care Paramedics – Tactical Medics – Industrial Paramedics – Ambulance Officers – Emergency Medical Dispatchers – Clinical Research Paramedics – Disaster Response Team Members – Emergency Medical Services Administrators | Here’re some roles for allied health sciences graduates. – Medical Laboratory Technologists – Radiologic Technologists – Respiratory Therapists – Speech-Language Pathologists – Audiologists – Dieticians – Medical Imaging Technologists – Rehabilitation Counsellors – Health Educators – Phlebotomists |
Why Choose Takshashila University’s School of Allied Health Sciences?
Takshashila University, the prominent Indian educational institution, should be your first pick for Allied Health Sciences degrees. The wide range of courses and the excellent infrastructure make it an ideal place to start your career.
The university’s departments are engineering, arts and sciences, allied health sciences, hotel management, physiotherapy, and agricultural sciences. It includes 64 disciplines and covers 150 acres of land. Its academic and athletic scholarships allow students to achieve their dreams despite financial constraints.
The institution has partnered with businesses to ensure that all graduates get placed. Hands-on learning equips students with transferable skills that allow them to shine in interviews and get recruited by potential employers.
Experienced faculty members teach students to deal with real-world situations by developing leadership and problem-solving skills.
Conclusion
Though there are differences between paramedical science & allied health sciences, their goal of improving the health and well-being of individuals is the same. By understanding the distinctions between these two domains, you can drive excellence in the healthcare industry, benefiting society as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is NEET necessary for allied health sciences?
No. NEET is not needed for admission to most allied health sciences in India.
2. Which paramedical course is best?
Some popular paramedical courses include Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), and Radiologic Technologist (RT).
3. Which allied health sciences in best?
Some popular allied health sciences courses include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Medical Laboratory Technology.
4. What is the scope of allied health sciences?
The scope of allied health sciences is rewarding and promising. They are in demand since they work alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
5. Is there scope for paramedical sciences?
Paramedical professionals are indispensable in the healthcare industry, and there is always a demand for them. Since there is advancement in medical technology, the need for paramedics is expected to grow in the future.
