What is Healthcare Science?

Healthcare Science is a distinct profession that utilises scientific, engineering and technological skills to improve the quality of care and health outcomes of patients. It is fundamental to the effective and safe delivery of healthcare and improved outcomes for patients. It is continually evolving and will continue to be critical to the delivery of health services in the future, as Scotland, and the rest of the world, responds to the need to reshape the way in which patient care is delivered.

Healthcare Scientists lead clinical services in over 30 distinct specialisms which cover all areas of the patient pathway – from primary prevention through to rehabilitation services – with the workforce having an impact on 75% of the clinical decisions made throughout the patient journey and contributing to over 80% of all diagnostics. The specialisms can be broadly categorised within five professional groupings, as illustrated and detailed below:

 

Engineering Sciences
Use scientific knowledge, research, processes and equipment to deliver safe and effective medical devices, custom solutions and equipment which are used in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients.

Health Informatic Sciences
Use scientific knowledge, research and equipment to investigate, interrogate and manipulate scientific data and information to improve the health of the patient and wider population.

Laboratory Sciences
Use scientific knowledge, research and equipment to process, analyse, monitor and interpret biological samples, to support patient diagnosis and treatment.

Physical & Imaging Sciences
Use scientific knowledge, research and equipment to support patient diagnosis and treatment and to develop new technologies.

Physiological Sciences
Use scientific knowledge, research and equipment to carry out a range of specialist investigations of physiological systems to diagnose, monitor and treat patients.
 

75 years of Healthcare Science within NHS Scotland

The following video was originally published in July 2023 as part of the celebrations marking 75 years of NHS Scotland. It identifies the extraordinary achievements and innovations by Healthcare Scientists which have helped produce world-leading developments in treatments: