Medical Care

Medical Care is the provision of services by healthcare professionals to patients for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, or restoring health. It encompasses a wide range of services, from preventive care to treatment of acute and chronic illnesses.

Overview

Medical care is provided by professionals in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and other health professions. It includes services provided by hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, as well as services provided in the home or in the community.

Types of Medical Care

There are several types of medical care, including:

• Primary Care: This is the first point of contact for patients with the healthcare system. It is usually provided by general practitioners, family physicians, internists, pediatricians, and other primary care providers.

• Secondary Care: This is care provided by specialists who generally do not have first contact with patients. It includes hospital care, specialist consultations, and outpatient surgeries.

• Tertiary Care: This is specialized consultative care, usually provided on referral from primary or secondary care providers. It includes advanced medical investigation and treatment, such as complex surgeries and procedures, and specialized treatments for conditions like cancer or heart disease.

• Quaternary Care: This is an extension of tertiary care in reference to advanced levels of medicine which are highly specialized and not widely accessed. Experimental medicine and some types of uncommon diagnostic or surgical procedures are considered quaternary care.

Access to Medical Care

Access to medical care varies across countries, groups, and individuals, largely influenced by social and economic conditions as well as the health policies in place. Countries and jurisdictions have different policies and plans in relation to the personal and population-based health care goals within their societies.

See Also

• Healthcare system
• Public health
• Healthcare provider
• Health insurance