What is the study of Preventive Medicine?

Question

I don’t understand why a resident would go into the study, when a patient (or future patient I think) would go see a physician (because of it), or what it is in the medical field really.

Answer 1

It's almost all research based. It mostly investigates the causes of diseases and early detection of diseases.

Some products of preventative medicine include: early intervention programs to counsel high risk patients on STDs, mammogram screening for early cancer dectection reducing chance for late stage cancer onset, blood tests monitoring normal ranges for various substances in your blood.

Preventative medicine exists in all medical fields, but grew to a point where a new field has emerged specifically dealing with preventing diseases.

Answer 2

The question has at least two aspects, perhaps three. Every community physician advises patients on health maintenance and disease prevention by giving immunizations, recommending good health habits, avoid tobacco, proper diet, etc. Taking a family history is preventive medicine of sorts. We're more likely to screen for certain diseases if a family member suffers from it.

Health commissioners and public health officials should ideally have advanced degrees in preventive medicine. They oversee a variety of community health issues such as pollution, water sanitation, restaurant inspection, dairy inspection. They should monitor epidemic diseases in the community and advise community physicians when certain diseases appear.

Then there are the researchers who work to solve problems affecting various populations or areas. Environmental medicine is a closely allied specialty.

Answer 3

The idea of preventative medicine is a good one. With increasing health care costs and the drive towards socialized medicine, the opportunity to decrease your chances of becoming sick is a great one! I think more physicians should work towards treating the patient as opposed to treating the disease. IT helps to lower the cost of health care and people will lead more productive healthier lives.