MedEd Connect Blog: Exploring Medicine Based Careers

  Neonatology: Saving the Tiniest Lives Around the Globe Neonatology is the medical field that focuses on caring for newborn infants, especially those who are premature, ill, or have a condition requiring special medical attention. Globally, neonatologists face significant challenges. Premature birth, infections, and congenital anomalies (birth defects) are major causes of infant mortality. Addressing these issues requires advanced medical care, increased access to healthcare, and culturally appropriate strategies. In developed countries, neonatologists use cutting-edge technologies and treatments to improve outcomes for vulnerable newborns. These include advanced ventilators, incubators, and specialized nutritional support. They also use sophisticated diagnostic tools to identify and treat genetic disorders and other complex conditions. However, these advancements are not universally available. In low-resource settings, where access to basic healthcare is limited, neonatal mortali...

  Cardiothoracic Surgery Abigail Smario Cardiothoracic surgery, which treats diseases of the heart, lungs, and chest, is a vital part of global healthcare, yet it remains shockingly inaccessible in many parts of the world. Around the world, millions suffer from heart disease, lung conditions, or birth defects that require surgical intervention. Yet, according to a study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for 17.5 million deaths each year—80% of which occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the overwhelming need, around 75% of the world lack access to cardiac surgery due to limited infrastructure, trained professionals, and financial coverage (Vervoort et al., 2020).  This lack of access is even more heartbreaking when it comes to children. Congenital heart defects (CHD), which affect over one million newborns annually, go untreated in more than 90% o...

Dermatology Cheri Huang Dermatology is the study, diagnosis and treatment of skin, hair and nail disorders. Such as but are not limited to, skin infections, acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer, and hair loss. Our skin plays a vital role as the body’s largest organ. The skin protects against bacteria, maintains our body temperature and supports the immune system. Dermatologists are trained medical professionals who specialize in over a thousand skin disorders. Dermatologists must complete their undergraduate degree, medical school, a one-year internship and a dermatology residency. The study of dermatology is highly rigorous, lengthy and competitive. Dermatology can be rewarding, with their annual average salary to be $415,329. Our skin is very complex and is important to maintain our well being. Annually or even monthly check ups with a certified dermatologist can ensure our skin and health are staying invigorating. It’s important to check with your dermatologist in unsure spots, cuts...

  Forensic Pathology Olivia Beard Forensic pathology is a specific branch of the medical field that mainly focuses on determining the cause of death by studying a corpse. Forensic pathologists are medical doctors specially trained to perform autopsies, as well as using their knowledge to understand lab tests, medical history, and evidence from a crime scene. They work closely with law enforcement to solve crimes, especially unusual, violent, and/or suspicious deaths. It is an incredible intersection of justice and medicine. On top of determining cause of death, forensic pathologists also identify unknown victims, document injuries, and often will testify in court with their findings.  A major global issue currently affecting the branch of forensic pathology, is the substantial shortage of medically qualified forensic pathologists. This shortage is happening all around the world, especially in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and South Africa, there are not ...

  Straightening Smiles, Uneven Access: The Global Gap in Orthodontic Care By: Krisha Chopra Orthodontics, often associated with straight teeth and shiny metal braces, goes far beyond cosmetic appeal. It plays a vital role in preventing long-term oral health issues such as jaw pain, tooth decay, gum disease, and speech difficulties. Straightening teeth can improve function and mental well-being by boosting self-confidence. Yet around the world, access to orthodontic care remains deeply unequal. In many high-income countries, braces and aligners are common among teenagers, viewed almost as a rite of passage. In the United States alone, about 4 million people wear braces at any given time. However, orthodontic care is often considered a luxury in low- and middle-income regions—unavailable, unaffordable, or misunderstood. According to the World Health Organization, oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people, with orthodontic needs frequently overlooked in public health strategies. ...

Pediatric Surgery Hannah Girling    Pediatric surgery faces critical global healthcare challenges that limit essential healthcare treatment for children worldwide. A major issue is the wide gap in life-saving surgical access between high-income and low-income countries. In low-income regions, children lack access to essential surgical care due to the limited healthcare infrastructure, insufficient medical training, and significant financial constraints. Across the globe, it can be found that at least 5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable, and reliable surgical care, with children in low-resource settings particularly vulnerable.   Additionally, another problem is that pediatric surgeons are lacking in many parts of the world, leading to delays or improper treatment of life-threatening conditions like infections and trauma. Outcomes are often much more complicated due to poor postoperative care, sanitary restrictions, and a lack of proper anesthesia, which inc...

Radiology  Camila Sophia Weitzel  Radiology is a valuable field in healthcare, enabling doctors and specialists to observe the inside of the human body to diagnose and treat diseases. It utilizes various imaging techniques like CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays and these technologies play a key role in detecting everything from broken limbs to tumors, which guides treatment plans and improves the patients overall outcomes. Different imaging methods each have unique strengths, allowing doctors to choose the best approach for each patient's needs.  Radiology is an important part of healthcare, and a significant global issue occurring in the radiology field is the unequal distribution of technological resources. Many periphery countries and low income regions in the world face many shortages of essential equipment like X-ray machines and CT scanners. This unequal disparity leads to delayed diagnoses, inadequate research, and poorer health outcomes for the many living in these...

  Cardiology The domain of Global health is vast and undermined with multifaceted complexities, one example is that of cardiology. Cardiovascular diseases kill more people than anything else: 31% of deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organization. CVDs can develop in numerous ways such as unhealthy lifestyles, rising rates of obesity, limitation of the opportunity for low cost healthcare. Relating to cardiovascular care, those in developing countries are profoundly affected. Disparity, further heart burden causes thousands to go untreated and undiagnosed. Prevention must be the prime focus of any nation in its fight against CVDs which would include lifestyle modification, early detection and affordable treatment. People who have adopted a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and healthy oils have been shown to be healthy and have lower risks of heart disease and stroke by 31% (Preventing Heart Disease). Limiting processed foods, meats and processed sugars...

  Highlighting the Global Healthcare Issues in Pediatric Neurology. Sahniya Rainey Pediatric Neurology is a medical specialty associated with the diagnosing and treating neurological conditions in children, from newborns to adolescents. The research behind pediatric neurology begins with the brain, uncovering the insights into behavior, neurological health, and the impact on everyday life of children. However, despite the various advancements in the field, access to pediatric neurological care remains a significant challenge in many parts of the world.   Neurological conditions such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and autism require early diagnosis and a significant amount of management to ensure the best possible outcome of the diagnosis. In many low- and middle- income countries, such as those in Sub-Saharan Africa, there are fewer than one pediatric neurologist per million children, and access to diagnostic tools like MRIs, EEGs, and various others are quite limited. In...

Plastic Surgery Noemi Margarint Plastic surgery is often associated with luxury and vanity, celebrity culture, nose jobs and facelifts. But globally, plastic surgery plays a critical role. Is often overlooked, and people forget that its role is saving lives, restoring dignity and improving mental health by giving patients confidence . In low and middle income countries, million people suffer daily from untreated burns, traumatic injuries or deformities due to a lack of access to reconstructive plastic surgery. According to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, “5 billion people do not have access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care when needed.” Plastic surgery is an essential part of that need, yet it remains underfunded, overlooked and under prioritized. In places like Southeast Asia or sub-Saharan Africa, there may be only one plastic surgeon for millions of people, or none at all. Also, evidence is also saying that “ Access is worst in low-income and lower-middle-in...

  Highlighting the Global Healthcare Issues in Dermatology Audrina Medina   Dermatology is a branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders. Dermatologists address a variety of skin conditions, from acne and eczema to even more severe conditions like skin cancer. Through physical exams, biopsies and lab tests, they play a vital role in identifying harmful skin conditions and providing tailored care. While dermatology offers individuals an opportunity to improve their comfortability and quality of life, racial disparities within the healthcare system reveal that these benefits are not equally accessible to all.  Dermatological diseases often represent differently across skin tones, making it essential for education materials to be inclusive to all skin types. However, current dermatology education does not adequately show this diversity. A study of commonly used medical textbooks found that darker skin tones are significantly underre...

Pediatric Oncology Aminata Jalloh When it comes to pediatric oncology you are met with a combination of two extremely difficult medical sectors. On one hand pediatrics is the branch of medicine that handles children, and their disease. This is vastly different from any other care because children are still growing, and adapting which can make treating them a way more complex situation to understand. Along with the care of children you also have oncology. On the other hand, oncology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the study, treatment, and prevention of cancer. Now looking at pediatric oncology it is important as cancer is such a complex disease with no cure yet, and it is made even harder to cure when found in developing children. One of the main methods of treatment for cancer is of course chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that slowly kills cancer cell growth will drugs. It works by targeting healthy, and growing cancer cells to stop the condition from w...

  Neuropathology–A Global Crisis Demanding Urgent Action Neuropathology–the study of diseases in the nerves–represents a pressing, yet often unrecognized global health challenge. As stated by the National Library of Medicine , neurological disorders including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, neonatal encephalopathy, and diabetic neuropathy are not only the leading cause of disability, but also the second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the increasing burden, in many developing countries, access to neuropathological expertise and care remain critically limited. According to the World Health Organization , healthcare systems in developing countries often lack sufficient tools, specialists, and infrastructure to properly address neurological diseases. These challenges often hinder early diagnosis and appropriate treatment options–both of which are vital for improving outcomes. As a result, individuals in lower income countries endure complications from conditions that could’ve b...

  Mental illness doesn’t discriminate - but access to psychiatric care does.  Over 970 million individuals worldwide suffer from a mental illness, yet the great majority of them do not receive treatment. More than 75% of people with mental illness in low and middle income nations do not receive any therapy at all. Why? Significant underfunding of healthcare systems, a severe scarcity of mental health experts, and ingrained stigma.  One of the most underserved areas of medicine is still psychiatry, with only one psychiatrist for every million in places like Nigeria and alarmingly high suicide rates in places like South-East Asia, where cultural barriers frequently prevent open discussions about mental health. Disparities still exist even in high-income countries, where marginalized communities frequently face limited access to care, language barriers, or a lack of culturally competent services. For instance, in the United States, Black and Hispanic populations are si...