Medical is the discipline of healthcare that focuses on human health and disease. The practice of medicine involves the medical sciences – biology, chemistry and physics – as well as the social sciences such as sociology and psychology. Modern medical practitioners work as part of a team with other health professionals such as nurses, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, radiographers and dietitians.
Historically, many physical and mental disorders were seen as caused by a variety of factors such as familial traits, diet, taboos, the stars and weather. Today, scientific advances make it possible to understand some of the underlying biological causes of illness. These include anatomy, the study of the structure of the body; biochemistry, which investigates chemical components; cytology, which studies cells; microbiology, studying microorganisms; and medical physics, the application of physics principles to medicine.
Medicine has been responsible for the prevention and cure of many diseases affecting mankind, such as polio and smallpox. It has also contributed to a better understanding of how diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke develop. Future medical research will contribute to the development of newer medicines that can target specific diseases or groups of people more effectively.
As well as being responsible for saving lives, the field of medicine has a moral responsibility to be socially conscious. A lot of illnesses – especially those that affect the poorest in society – are the result of social issues such as poverty, overcrowding and unemployment.
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