Medicine as art and science

Abstract

Conceptual understanding of the essence of medical practice is important for many reasons. For example, it is crucial for how doctors interpret their role and effectuate it in practice, to help societies regulate and organize adequate provision of health care, and to enable critique of ongoing practice and identification of improved solutions for the future. Also, it is of importance to the medical profession itself as it helps distinguish medical practice from other healthcare practices as a way of supporting medical professionalism. Accounts of the essence of medical practice have extensively used the terms “art” and “science.” However, the conceptual meanings of these terms are not obvious, and neither is it evident how one should perceive the relation between them. In this entry, various meanings of these terms will be addressed and their suggested internal relations in medical practice described. Finally, some practical and political challenges connected to one of the more comprehensive accounts are pointed out. In this way, the relevance of getting a firmer conceptual grip on the normative essence of medical practice is illustrated.