Medical treatment is a plan of care that physicians design for their patients. Every treatment has indications and contraindications (reasons to give or not give a particular treatment), and many treatments carry risks and side effects.
The medical treatment that doctors prescribe can range from diet and lifestyle changes to drug therapy and psychiatry. A physician may also refer a patient to a specialist for additional tests or procedures.
Most advanced industrialized countries provide universal health care, which guarantees care for all citizens based on need and ability to pay. In most of these systems, the government provides the insurance coverage or reimburses doctors and hospitals for their services. In addition, private or cooperative health insurance is available to supplement the public system. In some less developed countries, people must purchase their own insurance or pay out-of-pocket for their care.
Generally, there are three levels of medical care: primary care, emergency care and ambulatory or outpatient care. Primary care is the level of medical services that most people receive from their general practitioner or nurse. These services include examinations and tests, treatment of minor illnesses and injury, prevention and health education for all ages and both sexes.
The type of treatment that is prescribed depends on the type and severity of a disease or injury. Various forms of medication are often used as part of the treatment plan, and the use of alternative remedies is becoming increasingly common. A typical course of treatment includes a visit to a doctor or medical professional, an examination and a diagnosis.
Sometimes the most effective form of treatment is rest and relaxation, which can help relieve symptoms and slow the progress of a condition. Other times, physical therapy is recommended. This can be a valuable tool for the treatment of chronic conditions such as arthritis.
In some cases, a procedure can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. For example, endoscopy allows a doctor to see inside the body with a viewing tube and to take a small sample of tissue for later testing in a laboratory. In some cases, a doctor can remove a diseased organ through the same endoscopic procedure.
Clinical trials are designed to test new medications or other medical devices in a controlled environment, before they are released for widespread use. Typically, these studies are sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, Federal offices and agencies (such as the National Institutes of Health or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) or by universities, medical centers, clinics and other Federally or industry-funded research sites.
The most important factor in selecting participants for a clinical trial is to choose people who will benefit the most from the research. This is why it’s important to include a wide range of ages, races, ethnicities and genders in a study. The FDA works to increase the diversity of those who participate in clinical trials.