When a patient visits the doctor for a first visit, they typically have a chief complaint, also known as the presenting complaint or chief concern. A medical history records the patient’s current and past illnesses. In addition to a chronological listing of symptoms, the medical history also includes the medications, activities, and allergies. The physician then evaluates this information and makes a decision based on these data. Medical decisions are often made during a patient’s initial visit, but they may be abbreviated at subsequent visits or may involve referrals to specialists.
The study of the human body includes numerous fields, including anatomy, cytology, and histology. Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within living systems. Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems, and biomechanics involves the use of mechanical principles to study human health. Biological statistics are used in biostatistics, which is the application of mathematics to the study of biological systems. Similarly, biophysics uses the methods of physics to study biological systems.
Some subfields within medical science are endocrinology, which studies hormones and diseases in populations, and microbiology, which involves studying tissues and their cells under a microscope. Another branch is neuroscience, which studies the human nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. Neuroscientists also study the development and function of these systems, and investigate various diseases that can affect the nervous system. And finally, lifestyle medicine is another area of study within the medical field.
In addition to medical insurance, Medicare Part D also covers the cost of prescription drugs. Medicare Part D can include doctors, facilities, and medical suppliers. This network may include a primary care physician, a chiropractor, or a nursing home. Medical services may also be covered under Medicaid, a federal health care program that provides free or low-cost medical coverage for low-income people and individuals with disabilities. The term “medical diagnosis” refers to the identification of an illness, and may be a result of an annual physical exam or a sudden onset of disease or injury.
The training for medical specialists generally falls into two categories. The first is medicine, which includes operative and non-operative medicine. While most subspecialties within medicine require training in general surgery and Internal Medicine, some are specialized in a specific branch. The latter category is also referred to as a subspecialty, such as dermatology. The latter includes the study of skin diseases. A medical specialist may choose to specialize in emergency medicine, which is concerned with the treatment of life-threatening conditions.
The other divisions of medical science are clinical neurophysiology, which involves testing the nervous system. Specifically, clinical neurophysiology studies the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems. These tests are commonly divided into two categories: stimulus-evoked responses and spontaneous electrical activity. The different types of clinical neurophysiology tests include electroencephalography, electromyography, and polysomnography. While these tests are used to diagnose various conditions, they are not intended to replace or supplement a member’s policy.