Outline of medicine

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The Rod of Asclepius, a symbol commonly associated with medicine

An Arabic manuscript, dated 1200 CE, titled Anatomy of the Eye, authored by al-Mutadibih.

The field of Medicine is an intricate and vast domain dedicated to the holistic well-being of individuals. As a science dedicated to healing, it combines a series of practices, methods, and techniques that have been cultivated over centuries. These practices revolve around ensuring health, prevention, and treatment of illnesses and conditions.

Definition of Medicine

Medicine can be comprehensively described as the systematic science and art of maintaining health, preventing disease, and treating physical and mental illnesses through the application of scientific and empirical knowledge.

Branches of Medicine

The world of medicine branches out into various specialized fields, each dedicated to specific aspects of human health and disease:

• Anesthesiology: Concerned with the relief of pain and overall care of patients undergoing surgery.
• Cardiology: Deals with conditions and disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
• Critical care medicine: Focuses on life-saving techniques and intensive care for critically ill patients.
• Dentistry: A specialized domain treating diseases of the oral cavity.
• Dermatology: Concerned with conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.
• Emergency medicine: Immediate care provided in emergency situations, primarily in the emergency department.
• Endocrinology: Treats disorders of the endocrine system.
• Epidemiology: Studies the causes, spread, and control of diseases within populations.
• First aid: Immediate assistance rendered for sudden injuries or illnesses, aiming to sustain life and prevent conditions from deteriorating.
• Gastroenterology: Focuses on the health and diseases of the digestive system.
• General practice: Also known as family medicine, this field specializes in primary care and is often the first point of contact for patients.
• Geriatrics: Concentrates on the health and diseases of the elderly population.
• Gynaecology: Pertains to the female reproductive system and its disorders.
• Hematology: Focuses on the blood and circulatory system.
• Hepatology: Deals with conditions of the liver, gallbladder, and biliary system.
• Infectious disease: Concerned with identifying and managing infectious diseases, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
• Internal medicine: Primarily associated with adult diseases and their treatments.
• Neurology: Deals with the brain and the entire nervous system.
• Nephrology: Focuses on diseases and conditions of the kidneys.
• Obstetrics: Concerned with care during and after pregnancy.
• Oncology: Studies and treats different types of cancer.
• Ophthalmology: Dedicated to the health and disorders of the eyes.
• Optometry: Involves examining eyes for vision issues, prescribing corrective lenses, and detecting diseases.
• Orthopaedics: Concerned with the musculoskeletal system and its disorders.
• Otorhinolaryngology: Focuses on disorders of the ear, nose, and throat.
• Pathology: The study of disease causes and their pathways, known as pathogenesis.
• Pediatrics: Concentrates on the health and diseases of children and, in certain regions, young adults.
• Preventive medicine: Emphasizes disease prevention rather than treatment.
• Psychiatry: Specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.
• Pulmonology: Concerned with the respiratory system and its diseases.
• Radiology: Uses medical imaging for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• Sports medicine: Dedicated to the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.
• Rheumatology: Focuses on rheumatic diseases that affect joints, muscles, and bones.
• Surgery: Involves operative procedures to treat diseases, injuries, or cosmetic concerns.
• Urology: Pertains to the urinary system and the male reproductive system.

Illness (Diseases and Disorders)

Diseases are vast in variety, with some being common, while others are rare. Various categories of diseases are outlined in the following lists:

• List of genetic disorders
• List of infectious diseases
• List of neurological disorders
• List of notifiable diseases
• List of systemic diseases with ocular manifestations

Medical Practice

Medicine is not just about understanding diseases, but also about the approach, treatment, and care given to patients. The practice of medicine encompasses:

Practice of medicine

• Physical examination
• Diagnosis
• Surgery
• Medication

Drugs

Drugs play a pivotal role in the treatment of diseases and conditions. Here are some categories and lists of drugs:

• Drugs
• List of schedules of controlled substances (USA)

Medical Equipment

Essential for diagnostics, treatments, and monitoring, medical equipment ranges from simple tools to intricate machines.

Medical equipment

Medical Facilities

Medical facilities are establishments that offer healthcare services to patients. These can range from small clinics to large hospitals:

• Clinic
• Hospice
  • List of hospice programs

Hospital

• • List of hospitals in the US
  • List of hospitals in Canada
  • List of hospitals in India
• Trauma Centers in the US
• Sanatorium
• Medical school
  • List of medical schools in the US

Medical Research and Ethics

The pursuit of new knowledge, better treatments, and understanding is ever ongoing in the field of medicine. This pursuit, however, must be guided by principles that ensure the safety and dignity of individuals:

Medical research

• • Clinical trial
  • Medical case report

Medical ethics

History of Medicine

Medicine, as a field, has evolved over the millennia from rudimentary practices to advanced scientific endeavors. Its history is a testament to humanity's quest to understand and improve health.

• History of medicine

Related Fields

Medicine has many overlapping fields that help further its goals, such as:

• Pharmacy
• Biology
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Medical sociology
• Public health

See also

• Medical terminology, Medical procedure, Medical journal

External links

World Health Organization (WHO) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Mayo Clinic

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