Health care scientist

AH implantable medical devices ate complex in design, materials, and implementation procedures. The biocompatibiUty, biodurabiUty, and efficacy of medical devices are the subject of extensive research by biomaterials scientists, device manufacturers, and health care professionals. 

Information and knowledge develop on a continuum. Facts and information gained during the years of our formal education represent a thin slice on this continuum. Some of what we learn from the academic curriculum does remain viable unfortunately, much decays and becomes incomplete and inaccurate. Health care professionals and scientists must constantly renew and add to their skills, resources, and knowledge. This is fundamental to the profession. The Millis Commission in 1975 eloquently stated [26] ... 

Most people believe someone is obese if they look fat. This is not true. Health-care professionals and scientists have developed specific definitions for the words overweight and obese. Overweight and obesity are not determined solely by an individual s weight, but are defined in terms of a person s weight relative to his or her height. Doctors and researchers use a special set of measurements and mathematical formulas to determine whether a person is overweight or obese. 

Dr. Lofland s work was supported by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality K-08 00005 Mentored Clinical Scientist Award and a PhRMA Foundation grant. 

Off-label information Scientists and health care professionals may engage in scientific exchange of information not contained in approved labelling, but care must be taken to ensure that no statements are made that might be construed as promoting an off-label use of any approved drug product. These discussions should not occur at the exhibition booth. 

Undeniably, genomics and pharmacogenomics opens up a whole host of legal, ethical, and societal issues that will have implications in patient confidentiality, discrimination, malpractice, and informed consent (135-137). However, as clinicians, scientists, and health care practitioners, we must always remember the unquestionable power of an individual s right to choose, and prospectively fight to ensure patients rights and prevent genomic discrimination. 

One somewhat different, but critical, parameter in animal health sterile products compared with human health care products is the irritation and residue at the injection site. For companion animals, the pain upon injection should be minimal, and any lasting reactions that cause either pain or visual lumps to a pet will not be tolerated by many owners. For food-producing animals such as cattle, pigs, and poultry, the added challenge is that of ensuring the residue levels at the injection site have been depleted adequately by the time the animal is harvested. The formulation scientist thus may need to carefully observe the viscosity and polarity of the vehicle as they can affect residue times. Volumes injected and the route can also have an impact. Oftentimes subcutaneous administration is used instead of intramuscular administration to minimize residues in the tissue and potential damage to meat (i.e., muscle). 

This material is based upon work supported in part by the Office of Research and Development Medical Research Service, US Department of Veterans Affairs, and by the facilities at the Department ofVeterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, and in part by NIH grant DK17046 to the Diabetes Endocrinology Research Center, University of Washington. Dr. Baskin is Senior Research Career Scientist in the Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA. 

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