Have you heard about Hippocrates and the Hippocratic oath? Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician (or healer), who is frequently called “the father of medicine”. His knowledge and empathy for his patients were legendary. He didn’t write the  Hippocratic oath, but it was named after him. It is a set of ethical guidelines for doctors, with the most famous rule: “First, do no harm”.

If a person feels unwell, they should consult their GP first. Then, if it’s necessary, the GP will refer the patient to a specialist. A doctor’s job is to diagnose a patient and treat the illness. He or she must be knowledgeable, open‑minded and patient. It helps if they also have a good bedside manner, as people who are sick need someone kind and sympathetic to take care of them. 

When an illness or injury requires a surgical intervention, a surgeon is called to perform an operation. Being a good surgeon means making quick decisions, keeping calm in stressful situations, and, of course, being strong enough to operate for long hours.

A nurse must learn a lot before he or she can start caring for patients. Some of the things nurses do are, e.g. giving medicine to patients, taking their temperature, giving injections, and so on. These activities might seem basic but they are very important in the process of curing an illness.

Call 911! There’s been an accident! A paramedic or an EMT is usually the first medical professional at the scene of an accident or an emergency. It’s important for an EMT to be resilient, have the ability to make quick decisions and to be able to communicate effectively.

If a woman is expecting a child, then a midwife provides support to her and her family. This professional will assist during and after pregnancy and labour. If a new mother needs advice on caring for her baby, the midwife is there to help and support her.

Any patient who has physical problems because of an illness, injury, disability, or aging may make an appointment with a physiotherapist. This medical professional will then use a variety of techniques to help the patient recover or at least feel better.

Have a minor health problem? A cold maybe? Then a pharmacist may be able to help. This professional not only sells medicine but he or she knows everything about the drug your doctor prescribed for you, so you may ask their advice on the dosage and intake of medicines.

If a patient suffers from a food‑related health problem, such as an allergy or an eating disorder, he or she should see a dietitian. A dietitian’s job is to promote healthy eating habits and help patients whose illness is caused by the food they eat.