Medical theory

Medical Theory

Medical theory (pronunciation: /ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈθɪəri/) is a term that refers to the principles and ideas which explain the practice and application of medicine.

Etymology

The term "medical" is derived from the Latin word "medicus," which means "physician." The word "theory," on the other hand, comes from the Greek word "theoria," which means "contemplation or speculation."

Definition

Medical theory is a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena. In the context of medicine, these phenomena are usually related to human health and disease.

Related Terms

• Medical Model: A model of health which suggests that disease is detected and diagnosed using healthcare professionals, with treatment often involving medication.
• Pathophysiology: The study of the disordered physiological processes that cause, result from, or are otherwise associated with a disease or injury.
• Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
• Biomedicine: A branch of medical science that applies biological and physiological principles to clinical practice.
• Healthcare: The maintenance or improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people.

See Also

• Medical Research
• Medical Ethics
• Medical Sociology
• Medical Anthropology

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