Chemistry An Introduction for Medical and Health Sciences

Recent years have seen significant changes in the practice, education and training of doctors, medical, nursing and healthcare professionals. Pieces of paper are required to show competency in a wide range of skills. There is also a requirement for continuing professional development in order that people increase their knowledge and skills. The United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting publication Fitness for Practice notes that there will be: ‘greater demands upon nurses and midwives for technical competence and scientific rationality’. The daily use of chemicals in the form of medicines and drugs means that there is a need for a basic understanding of chemistry. Do not be put off by this, as you will not be expected to be a chemical expert, but you will need to have some knowledge of the various chemicals in common medical use. You will not be expected to write complicated formulae or remember the structures of the drugs you administer, but it will be of use to know some of their parameters. Modern healthcare is becoming increasingly scientific, so there is a necessity to have a good introduction to chemical concepts. Scientific and chemical understanding leads to better informed doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.