What does "-iatric" refer to in a medical context?

The suffix "-iatric" in a medical context pertains specifically to medical treatment and patient care. It derives from the Greek word "iatros," which means physician or healer. This suffix is commonly used in various medical terms to indicate a branch of medicine that deals with treatment methods or the medical discipline that focuses on the management and care of diseases or conditions.

For instance, terms like "pediatric" refer to the medical treatment of children, while "geriatric" pertains to the medical treatment of the elderly. The focus of these terms emphasizes the care and treatment aspects rather than diagnosis, therapy modalities, or emergency interventions. Thus, the association with medical treatment is what makes this answer accurate in this context.