High school health science teachers are always on the lookout for resources that prepare their students for careers in healthcare.
Some of the most common instructional materials are health science textbooks.
But with so many options available, how can you sort through them all to find the right one for your program?
Overall, there are four common textbooks used in introduction to health science courses.
The top introduction to health science textbooks (in no particular order) are:
- DHO Health Science
- Health Science: Concepts and Applications
- Health Science Fundamentals: Exploring Career Pathways
- Stanfield’s Introduction to Health Professions
In this blog, we’ll review each textbook to help you decide if one is right for you and your students.
Related Resources:
1. DHO Health Science
- Authors: Louise Simmers, Karen Simmers-Nartker, and Sharon Simmers-Kobelak
- Copyright: 2021
- Retail Price: $202 hardcover, $156 paperback, $33 eBook
Previously known as Diversified Health Occupations, this 9th edition of DHO Health Science is one of the most well-known health sciences textbooks out there. It is broken into two sections.
Part 1 - Basic Health Care Concepts encompasses the first 18 chapters of the book.
This portion of DHO helps teach basic concepts and skills any healthcare professional will need to know. This includes items such as infection control, vital signs, medical terminology, and cultural diversity.
Part 2 - Special Health Care Skills includes the final six chapters of DHO.
These chapters are more focused on specific skills needed in certain professions, such as nurse assisting or physical therapy.
Overall, DHO Health Science is an excellent health textbook to help an introduction to health science teacher cover key healthcare skills and concepts.
2. Health Science: Concepts and Applications
- Authors: Jacquelyn Rhine Marshall and Dr. Sue C. Roe
- Copyright: 2018
- Retail Price: $128 textbook, $30 workbook
Health Science: Concepts and Applications is another health textbook that introduces basic healthcare skills and concepts across 18 chapters.
These chapters are organized into five main units:
- Introduction to Healthcare
- Academic Foundations
- Critical Concepts in the Healthcare World
- Healthcare Skills
- College and Career Readiness
Overall, each chapter within the text highlights a key concept or skill that any healthcare worker will need for success in the field. That makes it one of the most useful health sciences textbooks for any introductory health science class.
3. Health Science Fundamentals, 4th Edition
- Authors: Shirley A Badasch and Doreen S. Cheesbro
- Copyright: 2023
- Retail Price: $95 book, $35 book, $110 teacher edition
Health Science Fundamentals: Exploring Career Pathways is another of the more prominent health science textbooks. It is broken into two parts, across 22 chapters.
Part 1 - Becoming a Health Care Worker includes the first nine chapters of the book.
Each chapter is related to overarching information someone needs to know when working as part of a healthcare team.
These include understanding health care systems, legal obligations, medical ethics, and communication.
Part 2 - Health Care Knowledge and Skills is made up of the final 13 chapters of the textbook.
These chapters are more focused on specific concepts and skills needed for a healthcare career, such as medical math, nutrition, patient safety, and medical assisting skills.
Any introductory health science teacher could find this health textbook useful, but the lack of clear pricing is unusual.
If you want to get detailed pricing information on Health Science Fundamentals: Exploring Career Pathways, you’ll have to contact the publisher directly.
4. Stanfield’s Introduction to Health Professions
- Author: Nanna Cross and Dana McWay
- Published: 2023
- Retail Price: $100
Stanfield’s Introduction to Health Professions is an excellent health textbook when it comes to teaching students about potential future careers. It includes information about more than 75 healthcare careers across five parts:
- The Health Care System in the United States
- Jobs & Careers
- Health Practitioners and Technicians
- Respiratory Care Practitioners
- Health Related Professions
Across the 36 chapters, students will learn about basic healthcare concepts plus more detailed information about careers in healthcare.
If you teach a health science class focused on introducing students to specific healthcare careers, then this would be one of the better health sciences textbooks for you.
Which Introduction to Health Science Textbook Is Right for You?
Though it’s not possible to review every introductory health textbook out there, this article can give you some direction in making a confident decision!
As you learn more, keep in mind that there are more instructional material options than traditional textbooks.
In fact, some health science teachers have found that digital curriculum options or other materials work better for their classrooms than paper textbooks.
Want to find out which type of intro to health science curriculum is the right choice for you?
Check out this article to discover more about each option!
