An excellent introductory guide for healthcare students, this book begins by exploring the current environment of health care and its component parts (professionals, disciplines, organizations, and systems) and proceeds to the concept of "professionalism" examined from its historic roots to the present day. Morals, ethics, and legal duties are defined, and selected healthcare codes of ethics are presented and contrasted. Core ethical values are discussed, through both real-life and hypothetical case examples. Next, the nature of the health care disciplinary team is explored within the context of patient-centered care; areas of potential interpersonal disputes and conflict development, intervention and resolution are examined; and job search strategies and tactics are discussed, including samples of resumes and cover letters. The book also includes a discussion of career changes, with a presentation of personal inventories for readers to use in examining their own career paths.

Each chapter includes key words, objectives, summaries, case examples, and end-of-chapter review questions.