Physician - GCSE History Definition

A physician is someone who has been trained in medicine and to treat people who are ill or injured. They diagnose illnesses, recommend treatments, and help people stay healthy. In history, particularly during the Middle Ages, physicians played a crucial role in diagnosing and treating wealthy sick people. Their knowledge and understanding was quite limited by today's standards and their understanding of the human body was based on ancient texts rather than clinical observation. Christian beliefs and astrology helped inform medievel physicians to both identify and treat illnesses. Once a person's illness had been diagnosed by a physician, they would often be sent to an apothecary or barber-surgeon for treatment. Understanding the role of physicians helps us appreciate how medical practices and beliefs have evolved over time.