Understanding Medical Concepts
Medical is a branch of knowledge that deals with health and disease. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines such as medicine, surgery, pharmacology, pathology, anatomy, physiology, radiology and biomedical engineering. Whether you’re an aspiring healthcare professional or just interested in staying healthy, understanding medical concepts can help.
The practice of medicine involves both art (creativity and skill) and science. The sciences that are involved in medicine include cellular biology, microbiology, immunology, cell physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Pathology is the scientific study of diseases – their causes, progression and resolution. The art of medicine includes diagnosis and treatment using a variety of tools and techniques, such as history taking, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging studies, invasive and non-invasive procedures and medications.
Modern medical science is constantly evolving and changing. Many of today’s medicines are targeted to specific physiological processes and cellular mechanisms. The discoveries of human genetics and evolution are influencing medical theory, technology and practice. Surgical techniques are improving all the time – from the use of lasers in cataract removal to the development of new instruments that make minimally invasive surgery easier and safer for patients.
Some of the earliest medical advances were the result of religious and philosophical beliefs. Hippocrates, who is considered the father of medicine, established the Hippocratic Oath for physicians and introduced a more scientific approach to treating illness. He classified illnesses into acute, chronic, endemic and epidemic and used terms such as crisis, paroxysm, relapse and resolution. Other famous ancient Greek doctors, such as Galen and Vesalius, further developed and improved upon earlier theories of anatomy, chemistry and physics.
The discipline of medicine is now divided into specialties based on the age of patients, organs and diseases being treated. Pediatrics is devoted to the care of infants, children and adolescents. Internal medicine covers the care of adults. There are also several sub-specialties of internal medicine, each focusing on certain organ systems, diseases or types of care delivery.
To become a doctor in the field of medicine, one must first complete an accredited undergraduate degree. After graduation, one must complete an internship and residency program. These programs vary in length and can last up to seven years. Some medical doctors choose to further specialize through a fellowship. Many advanced industrial countries have national or universal health care systems that provide affordable access to healthcare. In other countries, individuals purchase private health insurance to cover preventive care, hospitalization and treatment of illnesses and accidents. The aging population is driving the need for more healthcare professionals in all areas of medicine. Those who wish to pursue careers in medicine should have good critical thinking and communication skills, as well as strong math and science abilities. They should also be creative, adaptable and flexible. A strong work ethic is important as well. Many medical jobs require long hours of shift work. Having a passion for helping people is also desirable. Taking a medical terminology course is a great way to prepare for a career in the field of medicine.
Medical is a branch of knowledge that deals with health and disease. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines such as medicine, surgery, pharmacology, pathology, anatomy, physiology, radiology and biomedical engineering. Whether you’re an aspiring healthcare professional or just interested in staying healthy, understanding medical concepts can help. The practice of medicine involves both art (creativity and skill) and science. The sciences that are involved in medicine include cellular biology, microbiology, immunology, cell physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Pathology is the scientific study of diseases – their causes, progression and resolution. The art of medicine includes diagnosis and treatment using a variety of tools and techniques, such as history taking, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging studies, invasive and non-invasive procedures and medications. Modern medical science is constantly evolving and changing. Many of today’s medicines are targeted to specific physiological processes and cellular mechanisms. The discoveries of human genetics and evolution are influencing medical theory, technology and practice. Surgical techniques are improving all the time – from the use of lasers in cataract removal to the development of new instruments that make minimally invasive surgery easier and safer for patients. Some of the earliest medical advances were the result of religious and philosophical beliefs. Hippocrates, who is considered the father of medicine, established the Hippocratic Oath for physicians and introduced a more scientific approach to treating illness. He classified illnesses into acute, chronic, endemic and epidemic and used terms such as crisis, paroxysm, relapse and resolution. Other famous ancient Greek doctors, such as Galen and Vesalius, further developed and improved upon earlier theories of anatomy, chemistry and physics. The discipline of medicine is now divided into specialties based on the age of patients, organs and diseases being treated. Pediatrics is devoted to the care of infants, children and adolescents. Internal medicine covers the care of adults. There are also several sub-specialties of internal medicine, each focusing on certain organ systems, diseases or types of care delivery. To become a doctor in the field of medicine, one must first complete an accredited undergraduate degree. After graduation, one must complete an internship and residency program. These programs vary in length and can last up to seven years. Some medical doctors choose to further specialize through a fellowship. Many advanced industrial countries have national or universal health care systems that provide affordable access to healthcare. In other countries, individuals purchase private health insurance to cover preventive care, hospitalization and treatment of illnesses and accidents. The aging population is driving the need for more healthcare professionals in all areas of medicine. Those who wish to pursue careers in medicine should have good critical thinking and communication skills, as well as strong math and science abilities. They should also be creative, adaptable and flexible. A strong work ethic is important as well. Many medical jobs require long hours of shift work. Having a passion for helping people is also desirable. Taking a medical terminology course is a great way to prepare for a career in the field of medicine.