CHAPTER 5 PATIENT CARE INTRODUCTION Twentieth century advances in the medical and technological  sciences  have  made  a  significant  im- pact on the methods of marketing health care serv- ices.  The  numbers  and  kinds  of  health  care providers have expanded greatly. The consumers have become more informed regarding both their health care needs and expectations. Additionally, the  consumers  has  become  more  vocal,  seeking answers for both the whats and whys of the en- tire  spectrum  of  health  care  services. The  goal  of  this  chapter  is  to  provide  the hospital  corpsman  with  a  limited  amount  of theory  concerning  the  multidisciplinary  aspects  of patient care. It is an introduction to some of the more  critical  basic  concepts  applicable  to  pro- viding   care   to   individuals   whose   physical   or psychological needs have motivated them to seek some  kind  of  health  care  service. Personnel seeking information concerning the how  and  what  to  do  regarding  a  specific  procedure will find step-by-step instructions in the Nursing Procedures  Manual,   NAVMED   P-5066-A, January  1985  edition.  Use  of  both  the  Nursing Procedures  Manual  and the Hospital  Corpsman 3 & 2 Rate Training Manual will not only assist the  hospital  corpsman  in  advancing  in  rate  but more importantly will prepare him or her to pro- vide  safe  and  effective  health  care  services.  An additional  and  very  important  reference  is  the Navy  Customer  Service  Manual,   NAVEDTRA 10119-B. It presents the importance of proper at- titude and its effect on everyday performances and stresses  the  need  for  developing  positive  attitudes in  interpersonal  relationships.  The  concepts  in  the Navy Customer Service Manual  integrate  closely with  the  patient  contact  point  program. HEALTH  AND  ILLNESS To intelligently and skillfully discharge your duties as a member of the Navy Medical Depart- ment health care team, it is critical that you first understand  the  concepts  of  health  and  illness. The  concept  of  health  includes  the  physical, mental,   and   emotional   condition   of   a   human being  that  provides  for  the  normal  and  proper performance  of  one’s  vital  functions.  Not  only is health the absence of disease or disability, but health  is  also  a  state  of  soundness  of  the  body, mind,  and  spirit. On the other hand, the concept of illness in- cludes   those   conditions   often   accompanied   by pain  or  discomfort  that  inhibit  a  human  being’s ability  to  physically,  mentally,  or  emotionally  per- form  in  a  normal  and  proper  manner. In most cultures when people need assistance in maintaining their health, dealing with illness, or coping with problems related to health and ill- ness,  they  seek  assistance  from  personnel  spe- cialized  in  the  fields  of  health  care. In chapter 1, the concepts of the health care team  were  briefly  introduced.  Although  physi- cians,  nurses,  and  hospital  corpsmen  are  fre- quently  referred  to  as  the  core  team,  all  health and  allied  health  personnel  comprise  the  total health care team. Obviously, each member of the team uses his or her skills differently, depending upon  their  personal,  professional,  and  technical preparation  and  experience.  Nevertheless,  despite the  differences  in  clinical  expertise,  they  all  share one common objective; that is, to respond to the consumer’s health needs. The overall goal of this response is to assist the consumer to maintain, sus- tain, restore, or rehabilitate a physical or psycho- logical   function. THE  PATIENT No discussion about health care or the health care  team  would  be  complete  without  including the patient, often referred to as the consumer. A patient may be defined as a human being under the  care  of  one  or  more  of  the  health  care  pro- viders.  The  patient  may  or  may  not  be  hospi- talized. However, regardless of their health care needs or environmental disposition, they are the most  important  part  of  the  health  care  team. Without the patient, the health care team has lit- tle,  if  any,  reason  for  existence. As a hospital corpsman, you are tasked to pro- vide every patient committed to your charge with the best care possible. This care must reflect your belief in the value and dignity of every personas 5-1