Medical is the science or practice of restoring and maintaining human health through diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. Medical professionals are trained to understand the causes of illness and disease, and to treat patients according to established standards of care.
Medicine is a regulated profession in most countries, meaning that doctors must be registered to practise. Doctors may be disciplined for malpractice or breach of ethical standards. In the event of a serious breach, patients are entitled to compensation.
In medical education and practice, a fundamental principle is the scientific method. This involves analysing and interpreting empirical data (evidence) to produce a hypothesis which can then be tested. The process of testing this hypothesis is then repeated in order to obtain more evidence and further refine the hypothesis until a conclusive testable theory can be generated. This process is known as the circle of scientific inquiry and is central to the medical profession.
The field of medical research is highly specialised and must be conducted within strict ethical guidelines to ensure the safety of all participants involved. The medical profession must also uphold a high standard of honesty and transparency when reporting research findings to protect the trust of the general public.
There are many sub-specialties of medicine, most of which fit into one of two broad categories: Medicine and Surgery. Most subspecialties of Medicine require preliminary training in Internal Medicine, which is normally evidenced by passing the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) examination in the UK.
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