Medicine is the science and practice of caring for patients, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness. Contemporary medicine applies biomedical sciences, biomedical research, genetics, and medical technology to diagnose, treat, and prevent injury and disease, typically through pharmaceuticals or surgery, but also through therapies as diverse as psychotherapy, external splints and traction, medical devices, biologics, and ionizing radiation, amongst others.

वैद्यकशास्त्र ही आरोग्यविज्ञानाची शाखा आहे. याचा संबंध मानव शरीर निरोगी राखण्यासाठी होतो. यात असलेल्या औषधी पद्धतींचे ढोबळमानाने वर्गीकरण होऊ शकते.

• पाश्च्यात्य वैद्यकशास्त्र अ‍ॅलोपॅथी
• आयुर्वेद वैद्यकशास्त्र
• समवैद्यकशास्त्र (होमिओपॅथी)
• यूनानी वैद्यकशास्त्र