iatrics

Iatrics is a linguistic and medical umbrella term used to describe the medical sciences and clinical practices associated with care for specific population groups or areas of health, most notably the fields whose names end with -iatrics, such as pediatrics and geriatrics. In common usage, iatrics is not a single standalone specialty but a combining form that denotes particular branches of medicine focused on certain cohorts.

Etymology and usage: The root derives from Greek iatros, meaning physician, combined with suffixes that indicate a field of study or practice. Words like pediatrics and geriatrics reflect this pattern, signaling medicine organized around the needs of children or the elderly. The term iatrics thus signals the study and provision of medical care for defined groups, rather than a single disease domain.

Scope and examples: The most familiar iatrical fields are pediatrics (care of children from birth through adolescence) and geriatrics (care of older adults, often emphasizing multimorbidity, functional status, and age-related changes). Other uses exist in the naming of medical subspecialties that target specific populations or life stages, though pediatrics and geriatrics remain the core examples commonly recognized in education, research, and clinical practice.

Education and practice: Physicians specializing in iatrical fields complete relevant residency or fellowship training in pediatrics or geriatrics, guided by professional boards and guidelines. The broader concept of iatrics also informs interdisciplinary care models, preventive strategies, and the design of age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate health services and policies.

See also: iatro- prefixes and related terms such as iatrogenesis and iatrotherapy, which refer to medical treatment and its effects rather than the population-focused aspects captured by iatrics.