Is Medicine a STEM Career?
Is Medicine a STEM Career?
When discussing STEM careers, medical professionals are often overlooked. However, medicine is an integral part of the STEM landscape. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and the field of medicine encompasses significant scientific knowledge and application.
The Role of Science in Medicine
In medicine, the knowledge of science, particularly biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, is a prerequisite. This is because understanding the underlying physiological processes is crucial for diagnosing and treating diseases.
However, modern medicine also relies heavily on technology. Diagnostic tools like MRI and CT scans, for instance, have revolutionized the way doctors make precise and fast diagnoses. These technologies can literally mean the difference between life and death. Furthermore, the mathematical principles are used in research and clinical practice, such as statistics, graphs, and diagnostic calculations.
Undergraduate and Medical School Curriculum
The undergraduate curriculum for aspiring medical professionals is intense and highly specialized. It includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus, complemented by related lab work. Most medical schools accept applicants with a minimum 3.6 science GPA on a 4.0 scale, while some go as high as 3.9 or above. This underscores the importance of a strong science background.
As a medical student, the basic science curriculum includes Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Genetics, Immunology, Histology, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Statistics. There are dedicated departments for basic sciences within medical schools, highlighting the depth of scientific knowledge required in the field.
Continuing education for physicians includes understanding scientific research methods, crucial for evaluating emerging practices and off-label prescriptions. The practice of medicine has a scientific backbone, with evidence-based medicine being the dominant approach. This scientific rigor is comparable to that found in engineering and other STEM fields.
The Intersection of Science and Humanities in Medicine
While the practice of medicine involves both science and the arts, the scientific components are more prominent. Ethical, communication, interpersonal, and empathy skills are integral to the practice, but these are not unique to medicine. They are also important in engineering, for instance, in software team management or sales roles.
People often overlook the significant human component in technology. In medicine, this component is obvious. Physicians not only need scientific knowledge but also the ability to articulate it effectively to patients. For this reason, some argue that medicine is more humanistic than technical, but this perspective is shortsighted. Modern medical education values both scientific and humanistic components.
Regarding the myth that physicians do not make new discoveries, many medical students and even practicing physicians can conduct original research and publish in prestigious journals like Nature Medicine or the New England Journal of Medicine. Similarly, many surgeons create new medical devices or methods without a PhD or postdoc, clearly demonstrating the scientific and technological nature of medical practices.
Conclusion
While the practice of medicine involves both science and the art of communication, it is undoubtedly a STEM career. The scientific knowledge and rigor required in medical practice are a direct reflection of the STEM principles. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize medicine as a thoroughly scientific field and not overlook its place in the STEM category.