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Medicine

University

Introduction to the Medical Career. Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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Definition, history, and purposes of medicine

  • Definition: Health science for prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
  • Professional: Physician (clinical, researcher, educator, or public health).
  • Distinction: Dentistry and clinical psychology are fields different from medicine.
  • Surgery: Independent branch until the mid-19th century.
  • Evolution: Transition from art/religion to a combination of science and art.
  • Egypt: Imhotep (3rd millennium BC), Lahun Papyrus (2000 BC), Edwin Smith Papyrus (1600 BC), Ebers Papyrus (1500 BC).
  • China: Medicine since the Shang Dynasty; Huangdi Neijing text (2nd-3rd century BC).
  • India: Sushruta (plastic surgery) and hospitals in Mihintale.
  • Greece: Hippocrates (Hippocratic Oath, categories of diseases) and Galen.
  • Middle Ages: Hospitals in the Byzantine Empire; Charlemagne's decrees; Schola Medica Salernitana (School of Medicine at Salerno).
  • Goals: Honorability, prudence, sustainability, justice, and respect for human dignity.

Goals, agents, and structure of medical practice

  • Prevention: a core value to avoid damage to health
  • Promotion: the goal of harmony with the environment from the beginning of life
  • Pain relief: an essential duty and traditional goal of medicine
  • Healing: seeking the cause to restore functional normality
  • Caution: listening capacity and connection with support networks
  • Priority goal: preventing premature death and ensuring well-being in old age
  • Erroneous goals: anti-democratic coercion, absolute well-being, and defining the common good
  • Medical tripod: physician (active), patient (passive), and nosological entity (link)
  • System variables: state budget and human resources
  • Medical network insurance: access to a specific network with premium and co-payment
  • Reimbursement insurance: free access to private providers with a percentage of expenses refunded
  • Scientific societies: continuing education and non-profit research
  • Student competencies: scientific interest, organization, manual dexterity, ethics, and critical thinking

Definitions and branches of medical and health sciences

  • Human anatomy: study of macroscopic physical structure.
  • Pathological anatomy: study of morphological alterations caused by disease.
  • Physiology: study of normal functions and regulatory mechanisms.
  • Histology: study of tissues under physiological conditions.
  • Cytology: study of the cell under physiological conditions.
  • Pathology: study of abnormal states (diseases) of known or unknown causes.
  • Medical pathology: study of adult pathologies (e.g., cardiology, nephrology).
  • Surgical pathology: surgical specialties (e.g., urology, plastic surgery, orthopedics).
  • Clinical semiology: study of signs and symptoms through the clinical method for diagnosis.
  • Medical History: record of information obtained during clinical semiology.
  • Cardiology: study of the heart and cardiovascular system.
  • Dermatology: study of the skin and its appendages.
  • Endocrinology: study of the endocrine glands.
  • Gastroenterology: study of the digestive tract and accessory glands.
  • Pulmonology: study of the respiratory system.
  • Neurology: study of the nervous system.
  • Otolaryngology: study of the ears, nose, and throat.
  • Pediatrics: study of diseases in children and adolescents.
  • Medical psychology: study of psychological alterations in disease.
  • Psychiatry: study of mental disorders.
  • Traumatology and orthopedics: study of accidents and the musculoskeletal system.
  • Gynecology and obstetrics: study of women, pregnancy, and their alterations.
  • Biology: science that studies living beings.
  • Molecular biology: study of molecular processes in living beings.
  • Biochemistry: study of chemistry in living organisms.
  • Genetics: study of cellular genetic material.
  • Embryology: study of the early stages of development.
  • Biophysics: study of biology using methods from physics.
  • Bioethics: relationship between biology, science, medicine, and ethics.
  • Biostatistics: application of statistics in the planning and interpretation of medical research.
  • Pharmacology: study of drugs and mechanisms of action.
  • Clinical epidemiology: use of evidence-based medicine in decision-making.
  • History of medicine: study of the historical evolution of medicine.
  • Medical anthropology: study of traditional healings and cultural uses in health.
  • Physiotherapy: prevention and recovery through physical agents (massage, water, heat, electricity).
  • Speech therapy: study and treatment of pathologies of language, voice, hearing, and orofacial functions.
  • Nutrition: study of the relationship between diet and health (diabetes, weight, allergies, neoplasms, etc.).

Medical training, specialties, and controversies in Spain

  • Total duration of medical training: 10 to 12 years
  • Medical degree: 6 years (2 cycles of 3 years)
  • First cycle: Basic sciences and the healthy human body
  • Second cycle: Laboratory, General Pathology, and all specialties
  • Post-graduate requirement: Mandatory professional registration (Colegiación) to practice
  • Limitation: Without a specialty, you cannot work in the National Health System
  • Medical specialties: 50 available
  • Academic level of the degree: 360 credits (equivalent to a master's)
  • MIR: Duration of 4 to 5 years and practical nature
  • MIR score calculation: 10% transcript + 90% exam
  • MIR allocation: Competitive entrance system by score order
  • Iatrogenesis: Concept of harm induced by medicine (Iván Illich)
  • Controversy: Workplace harassment in hospitals for students

Flashcard preview (6 of 20)

  1. 01

    Etymology of medicine: what does the Proto-Indo-European root *med- mean?

    "to measure," "to evaluate," or "to take the right measure."

  2. 02

    In ancient medicine, who is the first physician known by name?

    Imhotep (3rd millennium BC)

  3. 03

    What is the oldest Egyptian medical text (approx. 2000 BC)?

    Lahun Gynecological Papyrus

  4. 04

    In Ancient Greece, who is considered the "father of modern medicine"?

    Hippocrates

  5. 05

    In the Middle Ages, which school became the best in Europe by seeking the teachings of Greek and Arab physicians?

    Salerno Medical School

  6. 06

    In medicine, what is the primary duty regarding longevity?

    To contribute to ensuring that the young reach old age.

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