Medical – The Area of Human Medicine Dealing With the Diagnosis, Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Disease
Medical is the area of human medicine dealing with the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of disease. It is an applied science, using evidence-based medicine. The care of patients is delivered by a range of health professionals, including physicians, nurses, clinical laboratory scientists, pharmacists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and social workers. Other allied health professionals include radiographers, dietitians and bioengineers. Modern medicine is largely based on the principles of evidence-based practice, and its practitioners are often guided by ethical codes. These codes typically emphasize respect for the individual patient, empathy, communication skills and shared decision-making.
The scientific study of biology, anatomy and physiology began with the work of such figures as Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo and was greatly accelerated by advances in physics and mathematics such as calculus, Newton’s laws of motion, and the development of microscopes and telescopes. Medical practice was also revolutionized during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries by the spread of the Black Death, as physicians such as Vesalius challenged and improved upon the ideas of previous medical practitioners (similar to Copernicus challenging Ptolemy’s astronomical theories).
In addition to medical treatments, which may include medicines, casts and stitches, other forms of healthcare are provided for patients with chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma or arthritis, or who have undergone surgery, including follow-up visits for monitoring or further treatment. These are known as tertiary care services, and are usually provided by specialists in hospitals.
Primary and secondary care services are the first and second tiers of the medical profession’s triad, with tertiary care services providing the third. Tertiary care involves hospitals and regional centers that offer more specialized diagnoses and treatments, such as burn treatment, organ transplantation, high-risk pregnancy and neonatology. These facilities are equipped with sophisticated medical technologies that may be less commonly available at local hospitals, and often cater to a smaller number of patients than the higher-level specialist facilities.
Regulatory bodies oversee the licensing of doctors of medicine, and many countries have legalized the practice of medicine only with the proper licence. Doctors must continually update their knowledge by studying the results of scientific research and attending conferences to stay abreast of developments in their fields. Those who are negligent in their practice can be found guilty of malpractice and face civil, criminal or professional sanctions.
Medical writing is the translation of technical or complex information into a form accessible to a lay audience. The process requires a thorough understanding of medical concepts and terminology, and the ability to write in a clear and concise manner. Medical writers can find employment in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or public health agencies. They can also choose to freelance as independent authors or consultants. Some medical journals create “departments” for articles with specific requirements or subject matter, such as image-focused articles or those examining the latest in healthcare policy. These articles are known as commentaries or perspectives. They often contain more editorialization or opinion than other journal content.
Medical is the area of human medicine dealing with the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of disease. It is an applied science, using evidence-based medicine. The care of patients is delivered by a range of health professionals, including physicians, nurses, clinical laboratory scientists, pharmacists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and social workers. Other allied health professionals include radiographers, dietitians and bioengineers. Modern medicine is largely based on the principles of evidence-based practice, and its practitioners are often guided by ethical codes. These codes typically emphasize respect for the individual patient, empathy, communication skills and shared decision-making. The scientific study of biology, anatomy and physiology began with the work of such figures as Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo and was greatly accelerated by advances in physics and mathematics such as calculus, Newton’s laws of motion, and the development of microscopes and telescopes. Medical practice was also revolutionized during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries by the spread of the Black Death, as physicians such as Vesalius challenged and improved upon the ideas of previous medical practitioners (similar to Copernicus challenging Ptolemy’s astronomical theories). In addition to medical treatments, which may include medicines, casts and stitches, other forms of healthcare are provided for patients with chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma or arthritis, or who have undergone surgery, including follow-up visits for monitoring or further treatment. These are known as tertiary care services, and are usually provided by specialists in hospitals. Primary and secondary care services are the first and second tiers of the medical profession’s triad, with tertiary care services providing the third. Tertiary care involves hospitals and regional centers that offer more specialized diagnoses and treatments, such as burn treatment, organ transplantation, high-risk pregnancy and neonatology. These facilities are equipped with sophisticated medical technologies that may be less commonly available at local hospitals, and often cater to a smaller number of patients than the higher-level specialist facilities. Regulatory bodies oversee the licensing of doctors of medicine, and many countries have legalized the practice of medicine only with the proper licence. Doctors must continually update their knowledge by studying the results of scientific research and attending conferences to stay abreast of developments in their fields. Those who are negligent in their practice can be found guilty of malpractice and face civil, criminal or professional sanctions. Medical writing is the translation of technical or complex information into a form accessible to a lay audience. The process requires a thorough understanding of medical concepts and terminology, and the ability to write in a clear and concise manner. Medical writers can find employment in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or public health agencies. They can also choose to freelance as independent authors or consultants. Some medical journals create “departments” for articles with specific requirements or subject matter, such as image-focused articles or those examining the latest in healthcare policy. These articles are known as commentaries or perspectives. They often contain more editorialization or opinion than other journal content.