What Are the Different Branches of Medicine?
The different branches of medicine include basic sciences, medical specialties and interdisciplinary fields. Two subsets under the medical specialties branch are diagnostic specialties and clinical specialties. Each branch offers a number of disciplines to attract potential doctor candidates.
The basic sciences include such areas as anatomy, biochemistry and endocrinology. Neuroscience, or the study of the nervous system, also falls under the basic sciences. Immunology, epidemiology and cytology are also areas of study considered within the realm of the basic sciences. Physiology, or the study of living organisms, is considered a basic science as well. Even nutrition, genetics and molecular biology fall under the category of basic sciences.
Researchers focus on diagnostic specialties within a lab setting. Nephrology, nuclear medicine, angiology and allergology are all examples of diagnostic specialties. Clinical specialties include emergency medicine, dermatology, anesthesiology and obstetrics. Palliative care, or the treatment of chronic illness, is also a clinical specialty.
Interdisciplinary fields involve the melding of medicine and other industries. Sports medicine, aviation medicine and bioethics are all part of the interdisciplinary branch of medicine. Medical informatics deal with medical computers and technology that helps in the treatment of disease. Forensic medicine uses science to help solve crimes and resolve legal disputes.
