Healthcare Services Industry Overview

Podiatrists are physicians or surgeons specializing in preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions of lower extremities such as feet and ankle. Podiatrists offer comprehensive care for all situations regarding problems with the skin, muscles, ligaments, nerves and bones of the foot and ankle. Podiatrists may suggest diagnostic tests after evaluating symptoms. Diagnosis of the condition leads to treatment options which include either medication, alternative therapy or surgical procedures. The podiatry services market in this report is segmented by specialty, treatment condition and facility.

Dentists are health practitioners who operate private or group practices in their own premises or in other facilities such as hospitals or health maintenance organization (HMO) medical centers. They provide dental preventive, cosmetic maintenance and/or emergency care. They might also specialize in a single field of dentistry.

Healthcare services deal with medical and remedial care service. Healthcare services also include furnishing medicine, medical or surgical treatment, nursing, hospital service, dental service, optometrical service and other complementary health services.

Home health care refers to wide range of health care services that are provided to individuals at their residence for any illness or injury. Residential nursing care refers to provision of long- or short-term care for individuals who suffer from serious or persistent health issues or need recuperation services.

Hospitals and outpatient centers are medical facilities that provide diagnostic and medical treatment to patients with a wide range of medical conditions. Outpatient care centers offer medical care or treatment that does not require any overnight stay in a hospital or medical facility. Outpatient care may be carried out in a medical office or at hospital. The hospital industry comprises general medical and surgical hospitals, psychiatric and substance abuse services, patient care services and specialty hospitals services providing diagnostic and treatment to inpatients with medical conditions.

Medical and diagnostic laboratories perform tests on clinical specimens in order to gain insights and information on patients' health conditions. Tests performed on the clinical specimens’ aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. These laboratories are distinct from the medical research laboratories involved in development of new drugs and treatments.