The study and practice of medicine is one of the oldest science disciplines, dating back to ancient Babylonian medicine, ancient Egyptian medicine, Ayurvedic medicine (from India), and classical Chinese medicine. Modern medical science is extremely diverse, with many different specialties and sub-disciplines. Medicine is the scientific discipline concerned with human health and disease; it has numerous sub-disciplines including pathology (the cause, process, development and resolution of disease), pharmacology (the study of drugs), photobiology (the interaction between non-ionizing radiation and living organisms) and radiobiology (the interaction between ionizing radiation and living organisms).
The field of medicine is continually evolving and progressing. New technological advances are revolutionizing healthcare for the better and aiding in medical research, diagnosis and treatment. Some examples of medical technologies include implantable brain chips such as those recently developed by Elon Musk at Neuralink that monitor neural activity, wearable devices that upload data to a physician like heart rate or blood sugar readings, and smartphones with built-in telemedicine software.
Medical writing is a specific type of academic writing that is underpinned by ethical guidelines and regulations. These safeguards are vital for the integrity of medical research and ensuring patient safety. Medical writing must be clear and concise, with an emphasis on a logical flow of information. It should avoid ambiguity and exaggeration and be free of bias.
There are strict qualifications for becoming a medical doctor in most countries, which ensures that doctors are qualified to treat patients and provide evidence-based care. These requirements are meant to protect the public from charlatans and other unqualified practitioners that would use their status to commit unethical or fraudulent activities.