Medical treatment is the care that doctors and other health professionals give people with illnesses or injuries. It includes medication, surgery, physical therapy, psychotherapy, and many other specialized approaches. Its goal is to manage symptoms, cure diseases, and improve quality of life. A major element of effective medical treatment is accurate diagnosis, which is the first step in delivering the right treatment at the right time.
A diagnosis is a summary of the results of all the information available about a patient’s condition. It includes a description of the illness, its cause, and its symptoms. A doctor uses a variety of diagnostic tools to obtain this information, from laboratory tests and imaging to physical examinations. A precise diagnosis allows doctors to tailor specific treatments to patients’ needs and maximize their chances of success.
Modern medicine has dramatically expanded the range of conditions that can be treated. Before 1900, there was no good treatment for most cancers, diabetes, heart disease, or infections such as rabies or smallpox. Even after the introduction of antibiotics, some diseases were not curable. Doctors were able to control some symptoms, such as rabies and syphilis, but they could not eliminate them.
Increasingly, medical treatment is aimed at preventing or slowing the progression of chronic illnesses rather than curing them. This change has contributed to the growing burden on healthcare systems, as these illnesses often have significant consequences for a person’s quality of life and long-term survival. In addition, there are many ‘halfway’ technologies that extend life, such as renal dialysis for kidney failure and antiretroviral medications for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
The line between first aid and medical treatment can be blurry. For example, using nonprescription drugs at prescription strength and applying wound closure devices to treat skin abrasions that occur to greater than full skin depth are medical treatment. The use of whirlpool treatments for soaking imbedded foreign objects, additional cleaning, and follow-up visits to the wound that require a physician are also considered medical treatment, as is giving a tetanus booster shot.
Surgical procedures and other medical treatments can be very dangerous, so health professionals must weigh the benefits against the risks. They must also take into account a patient’s individual circumstances and make decisions that are appropriate for their own level of skill, training, and experience. For example, a person with dementia may not be able to understand the risks of an operation. When a person is unable to make decisions for themselves, a physician can ask the next of kin or holder of a power of attorney to help with the decision making.
Medical treatment can be delivered by health professionals including physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. In addition, a growing number of services are now provided by nonphysician health workers such as nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. In some cases, these nonphysician providers can be more effective in providing care for certain populations, especially those with chronic illnesses.