The optimum utilization and appropriate responsibilities of allied health professionals

Abstract

A number of issues related to the optimum utilization and appropriate responsibilities of allied health professionals are raised based upon the perspective of the experience of the U.S. in recent years. Various definitions and concepts related to these issues are presented in order to assess the state of both training and use of allied health professionals in diverse settings. It is suggested that idiosyncratic needs and solutions in specific cultural contexts do not allow a generalizable conclusion to be drawn, although several principles can be put forward. The experience in the development and training of allied health professionals in the U.S. is analyzed using a variety of frameworks, including structural-organizational models as well as an historical approach. An empirical example of the extent and level of responsibilities of a variety of types of allied health professionals is offered, and the role of associated practice characteristics is observed to impinge upon role performance, giving an insight into the problems and potentials of these manpower resources. Finally, a discussion of the western model as a paradigm for allied health professional training and utilization in the global context is considered, and various strategies and suggestions for the future are offered.