MedEd Connect Blog: Exploring Medicine Based Careers

  Featured Writer (1) :  Serene Inulia Kong Kwai Yan   , Malaysia Oncology Oncology is a medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and research of cancer. Its history traces back to ancient times, with early documentation of cancer by the Egyptians, evolving through Hippocrates' humorism, to Sidney Farber’s chemotherapy, then to modern advancements in molecular biology, targeted therapies, and precision medicine. Sidney Farber - father of modern chemotherapy Diagnosing cancer involves identifying its type and location in the body. Information can be gathered through clerking, performing physical exams, and conducting tests, for example blood tests, pap smears, mammograms and genetic tests. Following that, cancer treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy are offered depending on cancer type, severity and the patient’s age. Most are associated with significant side effects, placing financial and psychological burden on patients ...

  Featured Writer (1) : Ishan Paduvagere  , California, USA Gene editing is changing the face of agriculture and could hold the key to solving one of the world's biggest challenges: hunger. Scientists have used gene-editing tools like CRISPR to create crops that grow faster, resist diseases, and survive treacherous weather-a particular concern since, in broad areas, climate change is making it increasingly hard to farm. Scientists have edited genes that allow rice to survive floodwater and wheat resistant to drought. These, in turn, allow farmers to produce even in conditions not quite hospitable for farming. Food could be produced more nutritious with gene editing. There is "golden rice," with added vitamin A, which may stop the widespread malnutrition in many countries. A problem however, gene-edited foods, on most occasions, have been very expensive to develop, and small-scale farmers, most of all, cannot afford them. People doubt the safety of gene-edited crops. Some ...

  Featured Writer (1) : Gargi Dhariya , Texas, USA Orthopedic care is essential in order to gain mobility and reduce pain. Yet, two-thirds of the world’s population lack access to orthopedic care and some lack access to even the most basic care. From chronic joint pain to untreated fractures, these differences in treatments eventually lead to disabilities that affect underdeveloped and developing countries. As the demand for orthopedic attention rises, the pressing need for fair and legitimate treatments grows to be clear.  Many times, orthopedic care is often inaccessible in developing countries due to poor infrastructure, limited numbers of trained professionals, and shortage of medical facilities. For example, many injuries are overlooked and left untreated in rural areas which results in chronic complications. On the other hand, in developed nations, oftentimes low-income families struggle to get fair and timely treatment. The access to advanced technologies can be helpful...

Featured Writer (1) : Madison Olivia , South Africa   Challenges faced in the specialty of Internal Medicine: The internal medicine specialty is incredibly important and is essential in the development of the medical field. It is known as the backbone of the medical field as it includes various treatments, medical research, disease prevention , diagnosis and much more. The astounding innovative technologies, impactful medical research and in depth knowledge of the connections to the human body encapsulate the understanding needed by internal medicine physicians. Nevertheless, as with many medical specialties, there are challenges and issues that come along with the practice of internal medicine.  Let's take a deeper dive into the obstacles that occur when pursuing the field of medicine and specifically, internal medicine.  After about 11 years of studying and getting into residency, internists face an enormous amount of emotional strain and stress due to the wide range of...