 Medicine
This Merit Badge requires 2 sessions to complete.
The Pathways to Eagle preparation work items for the Medicine merit badge are: 7a, 8, 9, 10
- Items in RED - MUST be completed before the session starts to make it possible to complete the merit badge at Pathways to Eagle. Bring proof of completion (item, written work, note, photo, etc.)
- Items in GREEN - Can be completed before the session starts or done during merit badge session.
- Items in BLACK - MUST be ready to demonstrate your knowledge of these requirements during the merit badge session.
Scouts are strongly encouraged to use a Merit Badge worksheet to show that they have done the preparation work for the merit badge.
Download the workbook for the
Medicine Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from the U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
Scouts MUST be able to discuss any items completed as preparation works or as written work.
Note: Some requirements contain items that fall into more that one category and are listed as the higher category.
NOTE: The counselor has indicated that items #8 & #9 MUST be writen to turn in at start of session. |
1. |
Discuss with your counselor the influence that EIGHT of the following people had on the history of medicine: |
| c. |
Antonie van Leewenhoek |
| k. |
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen |
| l. |
Marie and Pierre Curie |
| r. |
James Watson and Francis Crick |
2. |
Explain the Hippocratic Oath to your counselor, and compare to the original version to a more modern one. Discuss to whom those subscribing to the original version of the oath owe the greatest allegiance. |
3. |
Discuss the health-care provider-patient relationship with your counselor, and the importance of such a relationship in the delivery of quality care to the patient. Describe the role of confidentiality in this relationship. |
| a. |
Describe the roles the following people play in the delivery of health care in your state. (Note: Not all may exist in your state.) |
| 3. |
Emergency medical technician |
| 4. |
Licensed practical/vocational nurse |
| 6. |
Medical laboratory technologist |
| 9. |
Occupational therapist |
| 11. |
Osteopathic Physician |
| 17. |
Radiologic technologist |
| 19. |
Respiratory therapist |
| b. |
Describe the educational and licensing
requirements for FIVE of those in 4a - other than
4a(1) - practicing health care in your state. |
| a. |
Tell what is meant by the term "primary care" with
regard to a medical specialty. Briefly describe
the types of work done by physicians in the
following "core" specialties: |
| 3. |
Obstetrics/gynecology* |
| b. |
Describe the additional educational requirements for these specialties. |
| a. |
Briefly describe the types of work performed by physicians in FIVE of the following specialties or subspecialties: |
| 4. |
Colon and rectal surgery |
| 18. |
Otolaryngology/head and neck surgery |
| 20. |
Physical medicine and rehabilitation |
| 21. |
Plastic, reconstructive, and maxillofacial surgery |
| 25. |
Thoracic/cardiothoracic surgery |
| b. |
Describe the additional educational requirements
for the FIVE specialties or subspecialties you
chose in 6a. |
| a. |
Visit a physician's office,** preferably one who delivers "primary care." (This may be that of your counselor.) Discuss the components of a medical history and physical examination (an official BSA health form may be used to guide this discussion), and become familiar with the instruments used. |
| b. |
Describe the characteristics of a good diagnostic
test to screen for disease (e.g. routine blood
pressure measurement). Explain briefly why
diagnostic tests are not "perfect". |
| c. |
Show how to take a blood pressure reading and a pulse reading. |
| a. |
Discuss the roles medical societies, employers, the insurance industry, and the government play in influencing the practice of medicine in the United States. |
| b. |
Briefly tell how your state monitors the quality of health care within its borders, and how it provides care to those who do not have health insurance. |
9. |
Discuss with your counselor the health-care
delivery systems in the United States, Sweden, and
China. |
10. |
Serve as a volunteer at a health-related event or facility in your community (e.g. blood drive, "health fair", blood pressure screening, etc.) approved by your counselor. |
* Primary care specialties
** If this cannot be
arranged, demonstrate to your counselor that you
understand the components of a medical history and
physical, and discuss the instruments involved. |
|
The requirements listed on this web site are believed to be correct.
The official requirements can be found in the current edition of
"Boy Scout Requirements Book 2026"
Download the workbook for the
Medicine Merit Badge
in Adobe PDF format from, The U.S. Scouting Service Project website.
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