Medical treatment refers to any form of medical intervention used to alleviate a health problem or treat a disease. It includes both surgical and non-surgical procedures, medications, and other treatments that are prescribed by physicians or other healthcare professionals. Regardless of the specific treatment, each has indications and contraindications that must be followed by physicians and patients to ensure the right use and safety of the therapy.
Specialties and subspecialties within medicine include internal medicine, pediatrics (paediatrics), obstetrics & gynecology, surgery, psychiatry, preventive medicine, aerospace medicine, addiction medicine, and biomedical engineering. Generally, a medical professional may become a specialist in one of these disciplines by completing extensive training and passing examinations.
Modern medical care is based on information and communication. It is often delivered by highly trained health professionals who work together as an interdisciplinary team. These professionals can be nurses, emergency medical technicians or paramedics, laboratory scientists, podiatrists, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, radiographers, dietitians and bioengineers.
Many medical procedures, including X-rays and ultrasounds, require specialized equipment that must be kept in stock. In addition, some medical procedures are required to be done under anesthesia.
In some countries, laws limit the ability of medical professionals to practice without a license. This is intended to protect the public from unethical or inadequate practices by ensuring that physicians are trained and qualified by national standards.
The practice of medicine is a complex and dynamic process, involving scientific discovery and experimentation. It also involves socialization and a commitment to patient care. It is an integral part of modern society, as the health of a population depends on it.
Physicians and other medical professionals are licensed or registered to provide treatment in most countries. This usually entails graduating from a university and passing an exam. In most countries, this qualification is limited to physicians that have been trained in a particular “evidence based” paradigm of medical practice, although the practice of medicine has influenced other health paradigms and practices throughout history.
A patient’s medical record contains a detailed history of the present illness and symptoms, along with their duration, including their chronological order. The records are used for research, diagnosis, and treatment planning. They also contain information about the patient’s current activity and medication.