The Discipline of Medical Science
Medical is the field of science and practice concerned with human health and disease. The medical sciences are broadly divided into the subfields of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and pathology. Medicine also encompasses the medical specialty fields of pharmacology and toxicology, as well as a range of public health disciplines. The study of medicine requires an understanding of human anatomy, chemistry, physics and biology as well as the application of mathematics and statistics. The discipline of medicine is an essential component of modern scientific knowledge and forms the basis of evidence-based medical practice.
In addition to its clinical aspects, the practice of medicine is governed by a variety of regulatory bodies and ethical codes. Physicians must be trained in these codes and regulations before being able to practice independently. Moreover, most modern health care systems are organized under the broader discipline of medical science and have their own credentialing, licensing and funding structures.
Historically, medical practices and beliefs have varied widely from culture to culture. Prehistoric medicine often incorporated plants (herbalism) or animal parts and minerals, often used ritually as magical substances by priests or shamans to achieve specific healing effects. The field of medical anthropology explores the ways in which culture and society are structured around, or impacted by, issues of health and health care.
The scientific approach to medicine arose in the 14th century with the rejection, by scientists such as Galen and Vesalius, of what might be termed the “traditional authority” approach to science – that is, believing that something was true simply because someone famous claimed it or because it had been said in the past. This change in thinking was accompanied by the development of Materia Medica and a move away from magic and superstition to a more scientific methodology.
Modern medical specialties include internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, gastroenterology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonology and oncology. In addition, there are the many allied health care professions such as radiology, laboratory medicine and nursing.
A patient’s medical history, symptoms, physical examination and diagnostic tests are the starting point for a diagnosis. In general, medical decision-making involves the analysis and synthesis of this data to arrive at a list of possible diagnoses that best explain the patient’s condition. The process may require specialist consultations, lab or imaging tests and/or additional information such as family history.
Patients with serious and complex medical conditions frequently require multidisciplinary interventions to manage their condition, resolve acute exacerbations and sustain improvements in their quality of life. This typically requires a system of care that provides for coordinating and delivering medical, social and other services. This approach differs from the purely medical model of illness management described above in that the focus is on improving the individual’s functioning ability rather than eliminating their symptoms or curing them. This is often referred to as the “patient-centered” or “individualised” model of health care.
Medical is the field of science and practice concerned with human health and disease. The medical sciences are broadly divided into the subfields of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and pathology. Medicine also encompasses the medical specialty fields of pharmacology and toxicology, as well as a range of public health disciplines. The study of medicine requires an understanding of human anatomy, chemistry, physics and biology as well as the application of mathematics and statistics. The discipline of medicine is an essential component of modern scientific knowledge and forms the basis of evidence-based medical practice. In addition to its clinical aspects, the practice of medicine is governed by a variety of regulatory bodies and ethical codes. Physicians must be trained in these codes and regulations before being able to practice independently. Moreover, most modern health care systems are organized under the broader discipline of medical science and have their own credentialing, licensing and funding structures. Historically, medical practices and beliefs have varied widely from culture to culture. Prehistoric medicine often incorporated plants (herbalism) or animal parts and minerals, often used ritually as magical substances by priests or shamans to achieve specific healing effects. The field of medical anthropology explores the ways in which culture and society are structured around, or impacted by, issues of health and health care. The scientific approach to medicine arose in the 14th century with the rejection, by scientists such as Galen and Vesalius, of what might be termed the “traditional authority” approach to science – that is, believing that something was true simply because someone famous claimed it or because it had been said in the past. This change in thinking was accompanied by the development of Materia Medica and a move away from magic and superstition to a more scientific methodology. Modern medical specialties include internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, gastroenterology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonology and oncology. In addition, there are the many allied health care professions such as radiology, laboratory medicine and nursing. A patient’s medical history, symptoms, physical examination and diagnostic tests are the starting point for a diagnosis. In general, medical decision-making involves the analysis and synthesis of this data to arrive at a list of possible diagnoses that best explain the patient’s condition. The process may require specialist consultations, lab or imaging tests and/or additional information such as family history. Patients with serious and complex medical conditions frequently require multidisciplinary interventions to manage their condition, resolve acute exacerbations and sustain improvements in their quality of life. This typically requires a system of care that provides for coordinating and delivering medical, social and other services. This approach differs from the purely medical model of illness management described above in that the focus is on improving the individual’s functioning ability rather than eliminating their symptoms or curing them. This is often referred to as the “patient-centered” or “individualised” model of health care.