Training for Medieval Doctors Flashcards

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Where did most medieval physicians receive their training?

Most trained at universities, such as Oxford or Cambridge, which were often set up by the Church.

They listened to lectures and read books, rather than treating real patients or doing much hands-on work.

They mainly used the works of Hippocrates, Galen and the Islamic doctor Avicenna.

Training often lasted at least seven years before a student could qualify as a physician.

The Church ran many universities and chose the books, so students learned ideas that agreed with Christian beliefs.

The Church often limited dissections, and many people saw cutting open bodies as wrong or disrespectful.

They learned about the Four Humours, astrology, urine charts and the theories of Galen and Hippocrates.

Most surgeons trained as apprentices to a working surgeon or barber-surgeon and learned by watching and practice.

Apothecaries trained through apprenticeships, learning to mix herbal remedies and prepare medicines.

Women were not allowed to study medicine at university, so they could not qualify as physicians.

Students were expected to copy old texts, not test new ideas, so Galen’s theories were rarely challenged.

University training was long, in Latin and very expensive, so only rich men could afford to study.