Public health has been the most important concern of every society for centuries. The study of medicine and related treatment has become an integral part of the specialised curriculum needed to become a licensed physician.
The health sector has been growing exponentially to address the concerns of the communities and prevent diseases and fatalities. A clinical medicine program has been developed by universities to equip the students with the latest knowledge in the medicinal field.
The field of medicine is expanding every day to accommodate new ideas and practices for the public welfare. The branching of the areas of study leads to doubts regarding the various programs. As an aspiring medical student, it is important for you to understand the difference between medicine and clinical medicine. Some of these differences have been discussed below.
What is basic medicine?
Basic medicine focuses on the theoretical aspects of medicine to provide a foundation for the study of clinical medicine. It focuses on the basic functional theories of the human body and diseases and acts as a precursor to developing practical knowledge. A strong framework and understanding of the basic concepts are necessary to develop the essential clinical skills which are provided through basic medicine.
What is Clinical Medicine?
Clinical medicine involves the acquisition of practical experience in medicine. It focuses on developing the skills through practical sessions which include real-life observation of patients and their diseases. Clinical medicine is the process of transforming the theoretical knowledge absorbed from books into experimental knowledge.
Differences between medicine and clinical medicine
- Basic medicine gives you a comprehensive understanding of the human body and its functions whereas clinical medicine further develops this knowledge through practice.
- Basic medicine is purely theoretical and is based on academic texts and sessions. Clinical medicine involves gaining in-hand experience through factual knowledge.
- The study of basic medicine is limited to labs and classes whereas clinical medicine demands your active presence with patients to study, diagnose and treat various diseases.
- A study of basic medicine provides only a foundation for the medicinal career whereas clinical medicine involves residency programs and practical sessions using tools to equip you to become a practising professional.
- Basic medicine is covered during the initial semesters of the program and clinical medicine is taken up towards the final semesters after a thorough knowledge of basic theories has been established.
Basic medicine and clinical medicine co-exist in the completion of the medical curriculum. Either of the areas does not have an independent existence without the other as theory is integral to developing an understanding of concepts and no theory is useful without gaining practical experience. A medical professional should understand his responsibilities toward the society which empowers him to work with integrity. This ethical sense is developed through the completion of the program in clinical medicine.
Basic and clinical medicine is a part of the general medical curriculum to help prepare medical professionals for their careers. Both the areas of study are dependent on one other and are essential to the completion of the program.
