What Is Medical?
Medical is a wide field that encompasses the study of human health and diseases, medical procedures and treatments, and underlying sciences such as anatomy, chemistry, and biology. There are also specialized fields, such as pharmacology and radiology, that deal with specific parts of the body or aspects of disease and treatment. Generally, medical professionals focus on one or more of these areas.
Modern medicine is based on scientific research, but it also relies on traditional knowledge and common sense. It is a field that constantly evolves, with new discoveries and improvements in technology driving changes. This is especially true of the molecular and genetic aspects of medicine, which have radically altered the way diseases are viewed and treated.
Throughout history, people have found medicinal properties in plants and used them to cure illnesses. This initial trial-and-error approach to healing eventually evolved into purposeful scientific study of medicines and conditions. The rise of the 19th century brought many new advancements to healthcare, including anesthesia, syringes, antiseptics, x-rays, and penicillin. This led to the development of modern medical practices and procedures, as well as the emergence of medical insurance and administration.
A medical history — also known as an anamnesis — is a series of health-related questions that a physician or nurse asks a patient during a visit. The goal of a medical history is to collect reliable and objective information that will lead to a medical diagnosis and effective medical treatments.
Medical terminology is the language that medical professionals use to describe anatomical structures, processes, and conditions. Although it may seem intimidating at first, medical terminology is surprisingly easy to learn. Like most languages, it adheres to a simple structure of word parts, such as prefix, root, suffix, and combining vowel, that allow physicians and nurses to build up a vocabulary of thousands of terms.
Root words are intuitive for most, such as “cardiovascular,” which relates to the heart and arteries; or “dermatologic,” which describes the skin. Suffixes, which are added to the end of a root word, are often derived from Latin or Greek and indicate location, direction, or type.
A basic understanding of medical terms is critical for many different careers in the healthcare industry. This includes aspiring doctors, nurses, physician assistants, physical or occupational therapists, and veterinary technicians. It is also important for medical receptionists and health insurance agents. A knowledge of medical terminology is also helpful for anyone who has to interact with these medical professionals, as it allows them to communicate clearly and effectively. Medical courses are available at most colleges and universities, as well as through continuing education programs, trade schools, and adult education programs. The University of San Diego, for example, offers an online Medical Terminology course that students can take at their own pace and work through in six months. The course is a great way to earn continuing education credits, too.
Medical is a wide field that encompasses the study of human health and diseases, medical procedures and treatments, and underlying sciences such as anatomy, chemistry, and biology. There are also specialized fields, such as pharmacology and radiology, that deal with specific parts of the body or aspects of disease and treatment. Generally, medical professionals focus on one or more of these areas. Modern medicine is based on scientific research, but it also relies on traditional knowledge and common sense. It is a field that constantly evolves, with new discoveries and improvements in technology driving changes. This is especially true of the molecular and genetic aspects of medicine, which have radically altered the way diseases are viewed and treated. Throughout history, people have found medicinal properties in plants and used them to cure illnesses. This initial trial-and-error approach to healing eventually evolved into purposeful scientific study of medicines and conditions. The rise of the 19th century brought many new advancements to healthcare, including anesthesia, syringes, antiseptics, x-rays, and penicillin. This led to the development of modern medical practices and procedures, as well as the emergence of medical insurance and administration. A medical history — also known as an anamnesis — is a series of health-related questions that a physician or nurse asks a patient during a visit. The goal of a medical history is to collect reliable and objective information that will lead to a medical diagnosis and effective medical treatments. Medical terminology is the language that medical professionals use to describe anatomical structures, processes, and conditions. Although it may seem intimidating at first, medical terminology is surprisingly easy to learn. Like most languages, it adheres to a simple structure of word parts, such as prefix, root, suffix, and combining vowel, that allow physicians and nurses to build up a vocabulary of thousands of terms. Root words are intuitive for most, such as “cardiovascular,” which relates to the heart and arteries; or “dermatologic,” which describes the skin. Suffixes, which are added to the end of a root word, are often derived from Latin or Greek and indicate location, direction, or type. A basic understanding of medical terms is critical for many different careers in the healthcare industry. This includes aspiring doctors, nurses, physician assistants, physical or occupational therapists, and veterinary technicians. It is also important for medical receptionists and health insurance agents. A knowledge of medical terminology is also helpful for anyone who has to interact with these medical professionals, as it allows them to communicate clearly and effectively. Medical courses are available at most colleges and universities, as well as through continuing education programs, trade schools, and adult education programs. The University of San Diego, for example, offers an online Medical Terminology course that students can take at their own pace and work through in six months. The course is a great way to earn continuing education credits, too.