The industry focused on maintaining or improving the health of patients and the general population. Healthcare practitioners include doctors, nurses, surgeons, dentists and others. Whatever their role, healthcare professionals must be excellent communicators who can reassure patients, listen to their symptoms and worries, and relay information to upset loved ones when necessary. Medical doctors diagnose and implement treatments for different illnesses, making sure that patients understand their conditions and treatment options.

There are many roles in healthcare, and many responsibilities. For example, hospital nurses liaise with doctors, carry out necessary tests, and administer prescribed treatments where appropriate. Community nurses may visit patients at home or deliver sessions to educate people about staying healthy. Dentists look after teeth and oral health, and they will treat any problems and give advice to help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Patients need to have total confidence in their healthcare professionals to feel more at ease in difficult circumstances. Healthcare professionals may need to operate machines for different tests and treatments, so they must be confident with using technology.

Most healthcare professions require people to have a degree in their specialty. A prospective healthcare professional would need a good grade point average and show good written and verbal communication skills to be accepted onto a degree course. Course lengths vary depending on the specialty. Trainee doctors will need to complete a four-year undergraduate degree in a science-related subject, then four years at medical school, followed by a residency program lasting three to seven years. For example, registered nurses require a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing or a diploma program in a hospital. Most new nurses complete nursing degrees rather than the diploma. After graduating, nurses must complete a national exam to become fully licensed for practice.