Fields of Medical Practice

1. Chapter 3 Fields of Medical Practice

2. Combining Forms forFields of Medical Practice cardi/o heart cardiology chir/o hand chiropractic crin/o to secrete endocrinology

3. Combining Forms forFields of Medical Practice dent/i teeth dentist dermat/o skin dermatology enter/osmall gastroenterology intestine

4. Combining Forms forFields of Medical Practice esthesi/o sensation anesthesiology gastr/ stomach gastroenterology gen/o origin/ gene production

5. Combining Forms forFields of Medical Practice ger/o old age geriatric gynec/o woman gynecology hemat/oblood hematology

6. Combining Forms forFields of Medical Practice immun/o safe immunology laryng/o voicebox otolaryngology nephr/o kidney nephrology

7. Combining Forms for Fields of Medical Practice neur/o nerve neurologist obstetr/o midwife obstetric onc/o tumor oncology

8. Combining Forms forFields of Medical Practice ophthalm/o eye ophthalmology opt/o eye optometry orth/o straight, orthopedics normal, or correct

9. Combining Forms forFields of Medical Practice ot/o ear otolaryngologist path/o disease pathology ped/o child or foot pediatrics orthopedics

10. Combining Forms forFields of Medical Practice physi/o physical physiatrist plas/o formation plastic surgery pod/o foot podiatry

11. Combining Forms for Fields of Medical Practice psych/o mind psychiatry radio x-ray radiology vascul/o vessel vascular

12. The Evolution of Medicine • Today’s practice of medicine evolved from customs of ancient times • Care for the patient was often given by priests who performed rituals to give homage to mythical gods to appease them in order to rid the body of disease • Hippocrates — Greek physician in 400 B.C. • Known as the “Father of Medicine” • Wrote the Hippocratic Oath • First to separate medicine from myth and write terms

13. Hospitals • Latin term meaning guest house • Early hospitals run by religious orders • Romans had military hospitals • In the 19th century, hospitals became centers for treating all classes of society and operated for both profit and non-profit

14. The Physician • Greek term meaning natural • The term “physician” is interchangeable with the term “medical doctor” • The doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree is earned by successfully completing medical school • The doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) is similar to an M.D. but with an emphasis on the role of musculoskeletal system maintaining function and balance in the body.

15. American Board of Medical Specialists • Established twenty-four (24) individual physician specialty boards specifying standards for training, testing and monitoring • After a physician completes specialty training and passes a specified board examination, he/she is designated as “board certified” and referred to as a “diplomate”

16. The Caduceus Symbols

17. The Caduceus • Staff of Mercury • Two serpents twined around staff • Emblem in Greek mythology • Serpent • Symbol of Wisdom • Object of Worship • Medical symbol of healing because of its long life, annual shedding of skin suggesting renewal of youth/health, and keen eyesight

18. The Caduceus (continued) • Rod of Aesculapius • Earliest caduceus • Single serpent twining around a stick or rod • Aesculapius — god of medicine

19. Other Fields of Medical Practice • Medial specialists who are licensed but do not hold an M.D. or O.D. degree: • D.C. (doctor of chiropractic medicine) • D.D.S. (doctor of dental surgery) • D.P.M. (doctor of podiatric medicine) • O.D. (doctor of optometry) • Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy)