List of Medical Doctor Specialties

Doctors may choose to specialize in a particular field of medicine or they may opt to remain simply in primary care. The term "general practitioner" is a specialty in and of itself. According to the American Medical Association, 32 percent of physicians in patient care were in primary care, but not in a subspecialty. There are more than145 medical subspecialties recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

Internal Medicine

• Internal medicine is concerned with the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases. Cardiovascular disease, critical care medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, gastroenterology, geriatric medicine, hematology, infectious disease, oncology, nephrology, pulmonary disease, rheumatology, and sports medicine are all subspecialties of internal medicine.

Family Medicine/General Practice

• Family medicine or general practice physicians are generalists in their medical practice. They focus on the whole body, adult and pediatric, and often respond to many common diseases and injuries. These doctors treat medical problems as well as help to prevent them through techniques such as vaccinations and patient education.

Pediatrics

• Pediatrics is the area of medicine concerning infants, children and adolescents. Pediatricians follow the development of the youth in addition to treating them as other medical issues, such as chicken pox, occur.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

• Obstetricians and gynecologists are doctors who specialize in women's health issues, specifically reproductive issues and childbirth. A gynecologist sees her patient from her menstrual years through her menopausal years.

Anesthesiology

• Anesthesiologists focus on the relief of pain as well as the total care of surgical patients before, during, and after surgery. The anesthesiologist does so much more than simply "knocking out" patients. Before the surgery, he evaluates the patient's medical history and performs a physical examination focusing on the medical needs of the patient as they pertain to the anticipated surgery. During this time, the anesthesiologist discusses the surgery and what to expect with the patient. He will induce anesthesia and monitor the patient's vital signs, such as respiration rate and blood pressure. After the surgery he will administer pain relief medications, if needed.

Psychiatry

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in psychology and the treatment of mental health issues. Psychiatrists often treat both adult and child patients, though some practitioners choose to focus on child and adolescent psychiatry. In addition to treating patients with counseling sessions and psychotherapy, psychiatrists also prescribe psychotropic medication to treat a variety of conditions, including depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety.

General Surgery

• General surgeons perform operations when a cure cannot be found otherwise. These surgeons focus on the torso and abdominal area and can perform surgery on structures such as the the appendix, gallbladder, and thyroid. They also treat diseases and problems affecting the breast, esophagus, stomach, spleen, skin, and the gastrointestinal system.

Emergency Medicine

• Trauma doctors are examples of those physicians specializing in emergency medicine. Emergency medicine focuses on sudden illnesses and serious injuries. Emergency care includes medical treatment for heart attacks, strokes, car accidents, suicide attempts, and broken bones.

Other Specialists

• Other specialists include chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, physician assistants, podiatrists, registered nurses and veterinarians. Chiropractors work under the belief that the nervous system affects the entire body; thus, manipulation of the spinal cord is their practice. Dentists are concerned with dental issues concerning the mouth area, including teeth and gums. Optometrists are eye doctors. Podiatrists specialize in disorders or diseases or the foot area.