Why You Need To Be Good At Math To Work In Healthcare
Interested in pursuing a career in healthcare? Besides the right education, many applicants wonder if they need to excel at math. Fortunately, there are healthcare roles that only require basic arithmetic skills. Learn more about the use of numbers in healthcare and the different job options available to those with average math abilities.
Math Is Used In Health Care
Healthcare professionals need numerical literacy to analyze data and provide proper treatment to patients. Here are some situations where math skills are utilized:
Calculate Medication Dosage
Pharmacists and doctors must understand the metric system and be able to calculate fractions and ratios to determine medication dosages based on a patient’s body weight.
Learn The Probability Of An Event Occurring
Medical professionals use probability to make healthcare recommendations with the least possible risks. For example, they might use data to predict the success rate of a surgery.
Monitor Patient’s Health
Health professionals use quantified treatment plans to track a patient’s progress and understand if their health is improving or declining. They also use numbers to monitor vital signs during surgical procedures.
Predicting Risks For Illnesses
Doctors use numerical values to interpret a patient’s health and assess the severity of their condition. For instance, specific cholesterol levels can indicate an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
Math-Intensive Healthcare Professions
Some healthcare roles involve critical thinking and demand advanced mathematical skills. Here are a few examples:
Pharmacology
Pharmacists must accurately calculate medication dosages and infusion rates, making it crucial for them to possess advanced math skills to avoid errors.
Epidemiology
This field requires the use of various mathematical techniques to understand and interpret data related to diseases and their impact on different age groups.
Cognitive abilities are essential for these professions, but these skills can be developed over time through education and practical experience.
Professions With Basic Math Requirements
Not all healthcare careers require advanced math skills. Here are a couple of examples:
Nursing
Nurses primarily focus on patient care and communication, requiring only basic arithmetic skills to measure vital signs and interpret them.
Physical Therapy
Math plays a minimal role in this field, with basic skills being sufficient to assess and track a patient’s progress.
Although these roles only require basic math skills, continuous learning can benefit individuals and improve collaboration within the healthcare team.
Math Skills Are Useful In Health Care
While not all healthcare roles demand advanced math skills, having a standard knowledge of math can be beneficial. For those pursuing careers that require advanced math skills, ongoing training and experience can help develop these abilities.
