How Is Math Used in the Field of Medicine?
Professionals in the medical field use math to determine proper doses for patients’ medicine, read results from CAT scans, MRIs and X-rays and to evaluate body mass index. Physicians, nurses and others in the medical industry use mathematics on a daily basis in hospitals and offices and when performing research. Math plays a crucial role in health, as it allows for the safe administration of painkillers and antibiotics and ensures appropriate treatment and diagnoses.
Physicians and nurses use math daily to write prescriptions for medication and determine proper dosage. Most doctors recommend doses of medicine based on patients’ body weight. Sometimes, doctors must convert weight from pounds into kilograms and convert medicine into milligrams per kilogram. Doctors then determine how long patients must continue taking medicines and how long the medicines will stay in the body. In turn, they use math to determine frequency and duration of dosage. In the areas of research, medical professionals draw charts, analyze graphs and study statistical trends to understand societal ailments, such as the prevalence of chronic illnesses and diseases. When reading results from CAT scans and X-rays, doctors use math to convert the two-dimensional images on the screens into three-dimensional body parts. They determine abnormalities by looking at body parts from many different angles.
