Scholars may choose to enroll in Nigerian polytechnics to study medical course for their professional development. Although most medical courses in Nigeria can best be studied in the University, some may take longer time to be completed. These courses are usually offered in diverse fields, allowing scholars to find the particular choice that meets their needs.
What are the medical courses you can study in Nigerian Polytechnics? This essay will introduce you to the toughest medical courses in Polytechnics and the careers opportunities in this area. Most scholars applying for medical courses usually choose medicine, physiology, biochemistry, pathology and so on.
Top 10 Toughest Medical Courses In Polytechnics.
And guess what? there are numerous medical courses you can study in Nigerian polytechnics. See the toughest medical courses in Polytechnics and their careers opportunities below.
1. Dental Nursing
Dental nurses help dentists to treat their patients and do reception work and other tasks in the practice.
Dental Nursing is one the toughest medical courses in Polytechnics. It is study of rendering adequate nursing care to the Dental patient and equally managing some minor dental diseases and care for dental patients admitted to the dental ward. Training includes running oral surgical operations.
Once you are fully qualified, there are a wide range of career opportunities to explore as a dental nursing. With both full-time and part-time positions available in a variety of settings, including general dental practice, hospitals and community settings, it’s down to you to forge the career of your dreams.
You may opt to pursue further training so you can undertake additional responsibilities including oral health education, radiography and conscious sedation.
2. Orthopedic
As one the toughest medical courses in Polytechnics, orthopedics is the medical specialty that cares for the musculoskeletal system. This includes taking care of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves that make the framework of our bodies.
Being involved in the care of the musculoskeletal system does not necessarily mean you have to be an orthopedic surgeon. There are a number of different career opportunities within orthopedics that can allow you the opportunity to participate in the care of the musculoskeletal system.
3. Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and Dietetics is the study of food science of how food and nutrition affects human health. The field of dietetics has a strong emphasis on public health and a commitment to educating all Americans about the importance of making proper dietary choices.
Dietitian nutritionists use nutrition and food science to help people improve their health. Nutrition and dietetic technicians work with dietitian nutritionists to provide care and consultation to patients.
Both dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetic technicians may also provide general nutrition education. Both are nationally credentialed and are an integral part of health care and foodservice management teams.
Professionals in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics often focus their efforts on specific populations, facilities or initiatives, including:
- Designing individual nutritional therapies to address specific health issues, such as unhealthy weight, diabetes or hypertension
- Developing facility-wide nutrition programs for health care, educational, correctional and other institutions
- Increasing public awareness of proper nutritional standards and habits
- Improving the accuracy and comprehension of food labels
- Ensuring the safety of our food supply
- Researching how changes in diet (such as reducing salt intake) affect health (by reducing blood pressure)
- Working with food manufacturers to improve the nutritional quality of prepared foods.
4. Science Laboratory Technology
The programme Science Laboratory Technology is designed to produce Technicians/Technologists capable of carrying out various Laboratory analysts and practical work under minimal supervision. They assist in chemical analysis in laboratories in educational institutions, food and chemical industries, research institutes etc.
Science Laboratory Technology Program focuses on the fundamental principles of the biological and physical sciences and emphasizes analytical laboratory techniques and applications, specifically in the realms of chemistry and biology.
5. Veterinary Laboratory Technology
Veterinary Laboratory Technician falls under the broader career category of Biological Technicians.
Veterinary Laboratory Technician assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.
Veterinary Laboratory Technology equips students with the knowledge of research on various objects (blood, cadavers, organs), along with the study of their properties, composition, structure, and of the chemical and biological processes occurring in them.
6. Medical Imaging Technology
Medical imaging technologists work with patients undergoing interventional procedures (IR), computed tomography (CT), sonography (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These skilled imaging professionals use principles of radiation protection as they determine exposure factors and position patients for a variety of examinations with the use of computerized equipment.
7. Optometry
Optometry as a health care course is one the toughest medical courses in Polytechnics that involves learning the examination of eyes and applicable visual systems for defects or abnormalities as well as the correction of refractive error with glasses or contact lenses and treatment of eye diseases.
An optometrist, is a health care professional who provides Primary Vision Care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye disease such as diabetes and hypertension.
With routine hours, few emergencies, and a good income, ODs enjoy a lifelong career with a satisfying lifestyle. Career opportunities include solo, partnership, or group practice, large clinics and hospitals, part-time or full-time, regular practice or specialization.
Optometrists wishing to practice in Canada must hold a Doctor of Optometry degree as well as meet all the requirements of, and be registered by, the professional board(s) in the provinces and territories where they wish to practice.
8. Dental Therapy
Dental Therapy is the study of the provision of preventive and restorative dental care, for children and adults.
Dental therapists are essential members of the dental team. They carry out routine treatment prescribed by a dentist. These may include:
- tooth restorations on both the primary and permanent dentition
- placement of pre-formed crowns
- pulp therapy treatment on the primary dentition (children)
- primary dentition tooth extractions (children)
- taking radiographs (x-rays) of the teeth and jaws
They complete some of the work that a dentist can do. They are an increasingly important member of the dental team.
Dental therapists also educate patients about their oral and general health, including:
- smoking cessation
- dietary advice
- alcohol brief interventions
9. Dental Technology
Dental Technology is the study of care-giving’s to patients with health issues and the application of devices that include dentures, crowns, bridges, and dental braces to improve patients’ appearance, speech, and ability to chew.
Individuals who want a career in dental technology become dental technicians. The career involves creating dentures, crowns and other dental prosthetics based on molds of people’s teeth.
They work with small hand tools as well as specialized computer software in order to fabricate these appliances. Some dental technicians specialize in orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, complete dentures, partial dentures, implants or ceramics.
10. Community Health
Community health is a branch of public health that focuses on people and their role as determinants of their own and other people’s health in contrast to environmental health, which focuses on the physical environment and its impact on people’s health.
As one the toughest medical courses in Polytechnics, someone who study community health become community health workers, they interact directly with the public to address the health concerns that affect members of diverse populations (e.g., children, elderly, homeless, veterans).
Community health workers also assist medical professionals and educators by engaging in dialog with community members, collecting data, and implementing public health programs. Unlike health care professionals or health educators, Community health workers are laypersons who do not provide direct medical care or training.
