what is allied health professionals

Allied health professionals are a group of healthcare professionals who provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and support services in connection with healthcare. They work together with a range of technical and support staff to deliver direct patient care, rehabilitation, treatment, diagnostics, and health improvement interventions to restore and maintain optimal physical, sensory, psychological, cognitive, and social functions. Allied health professionals are concerned with the identification, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of acute and chronic diseases and disorders, provision of dietary and nutrition services, rehabilitation services, and the management and operation of health systems. They apply scientific principles and evidence-based practice to optimize patient or client outcomes. Some examples of allied health professionals include dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, and speech-language pathologists. There are many other careers that fall under the umbrella of allied health professionals, such as anesthesiologist assistants, athletic trainers, audiologists, cardiovascular technologists, cytotechnologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, and more.