[Where are the boundaries of science in medicine?].
Medicine in general can be described as science and praxis. A central aspect of every science is the formation of theories and the testing of these theories and hypotheses with methods accepted by the scientific community as the adequate way to do it. Modern medicine defined as science is based on knowledge from natural sciences as well as the humanities. Medicine, defined as practice or in some instances as art, is not science. Medical practice can be described as the application and integration of scientific knowledge in the process of medical decision making and thereby the care of patients and the prevention of illnesses. The main problem in modern medicine is the lack of a "theory of medicine", elucidating the relation between science and practice.
Steurer
J
J
Horten Zentrum für praxisorientierte Forschung und Wissenstransfer, Universität Zürich. johann-steurer@evimed.ch
D019091:Critical Pathways; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D012586:Science; D013812:Therapeutics