A medical treatment is any health care intervention designed to alleviate a health condition or disease. Medical treatments are prescribed by physicians and usually consist of medication or medical devices. They may be used to treat chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes or autoimmune disorders or acute conditions such as infections and injuries. They can also be used as preventive treatments to reduce the likelihood of diseases and illnesses or to detect them early when they are easier to treat.
Modern medicine has evolved out of traditional practices based on herbalism, the four humors and other pre-modern notions of health. The first truly modern medical practice began in the 17th century with the introduction of the smallpox vaccine, and later with the development of scientific biomedical research, which is based on testable and repeatable results.
The process of medical treatment involves the doctor reviewing a patient’s medical history, conducting a physical exam and then analyzing the results of lab or imaging studies. A diagnosis is then made by combining this information and using the latest medical literature. Often the process is iterative, as new symptoms or laboratory or imaging findings may suggest new diagnostic possibilities. This data is then reviewed by a healthcare team, which might include the patient’s physician, nurse practitioner or clinical pharmacist, or health care providers such as physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists and psychiatric nurses.
Some health problems have no cure, but doctors can treat symptoms to make the patient more comfortable. For example, people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day to control their blood sugar levels. Fortunately, scientists are constantly making new discoveries that may lead to cures in the future.
A person who is undergoing medical treatment might have an illness such as dementia or severe confusion that impairs their ability to understand what is happening to them or make informed decisions. In such cases, the doctor will likely ask the patient’s next of kin or holder of power of attorney to help make treatment decisions.
Most countries have health systems to ensure that their citizens receive adequate medical treatment. These systems might vary in terms of financing, credentialing and regulations, but they generally provide for the delivery of primary, secondary and tertiary medical care. In some cases, the tertiary level of medical care is delivered by university hospitals with advanced medical facilities such as burn centers and specialized neonatal units. Primary care medical services might also be provided by health centers or private practices. In some situations, a health care system might include indigenous health programs and non-governmental organizations such as churches that provide healthcare for their members.