valuemd (Admin) Forum members can debate the role of physics in medicine, including its connection to cardiology, radiology, respiratory function, and medical technology.
miacarter884 (Alumni) Genuine question, not trying to be lazy. Why do we need physics for medicine? I'm not building bridges. I get the MCAT requires it but does a doctor ever actually use physics? Convince me it's not just a hoop.
masonhayes (Alumni) It's more woven in than you'd think. Cardiology runs on fluid dynamics, blood pressure, flow, resistance, that's literally physics. Respiratory function is gas laws and pressure gradients. Radiology is built entirely on physics, X-rays, MRI, ultrasound. You won't do the math as a doctor but understanding the principles helps you interpret what the machines tell you and explain it to patients.
ethancarter (Alumni) masonhayes (Alumni) the cardio/fluid dynamics point is spot on. Once you learn that blood pressure relates to flow and resistance, hypertension stops being a random number and starts being physics happening in a body.
harperl772 (Aspiring student) masonhayes (Alumni) Respiratory physiology is basically applied gas laws. Partial pressures, diffusion, compliance. If you slept through physics that unit hurts.
