Ever wondered what all the jargon in reference to different doctors means? The medical field, like in any other industry is made up of doctors specializing in different areas of the medical field. This article will go over what each doctor does. This will allow you to identify the kind of doctor you need to see to treat your ailment.
For those planning to venture into the medical field, you'll be able to identify the area for which you would like to study and specialize in.
Table: Types of Doctors
General Medical Experts | |
|---|---|
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
General physician/ family practitioner | A doctor who offers treatment for mild conditions. |
Internal medical doctor | Deals in Adult medicine, treatment and prevention of adult diseases. |
An emergency doctor | On call 24/7 and specializes with emergency room practice. |
Hospitalist | Cares for hospitalized patients. |
Palliative care specialist | Reduces the suffering and improves the life of patients in pain |
General pediatricians | Treats general medical conditions in infant, adolescents and children. |
Intensive care specialist | Treats life threatening conditions in need of invasive monitoring and organ support |
Geriatrician | Treats geriatrics (old people) related health complications |
Anesthesiologist | Administers and studies anesthesia for surgical procedures |
Surgeons | Performs surgeries that are related to different areas of medicine |
Doctors Treating Heart Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Cardiologist | Diagnoses and treats conditions related to the heart and vessels of the blood |
Pediatric cardiologist | Treats and diagnoses heart complication in infants. |
Vascular medical specialist | Offers treatment for vascular diseases related to arteries, lymphatic system and veins |
Doctors Treating Hormone/Gland Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Hormone doctor/endocrinologist | Diagnoses and treats endocrine system and glands disorders and imbalances |
Pediatric endocrinologist | Treats hormone and gland problems in infants, children and adolescents |
Doctors Treating Stomach/Liver/Bowel/Colon/Kidney Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Urologist | Treats, diagnoses and studies health issues related to the urinary tract, kidney and urinary system |
Gastrologist | Treats and diagnoses medical conditions related to the stomach functions |
Hepatologist | Treats and diagnosis diseases related to the liver |
Nephrologist | Treats kidney diseases and ailments |
Rectal/ Colon surgeon | Undertakes surgical procedures to correct rectal, colon and anal disorders |
Doctors Treating Reproduction/Sex Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Andrologist | Treats and diagnoses medical issues with the male reproductive system |
Gynecologist | Treats and diagnoses conditions in the reproductive system of females |
Obstetrician/ Gynecologist | Childbirth expert, specializes in C-section, ovarian Tumors removal and PAP smears |
Sexual medicine practitioner | Studies, treats and diagnoses disorders related to sex |
Fertility specialist | Treats problems with Infertility menopause sexual disorders and hormonal imbalance |
Doctors Treating Immunity/Allergy Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Allergist | Expert in allergic reactions and treatment of immune system disorders |
immunologist | Specializes in the study and treatment of conditions related to the immune system |
Doctors Treating Cancer | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Medical oncologist | Oversees the general care of cancer patients. Coordinates treatment with the other specialists |
Radiation oncologist | Specializes in treating cancer using radiation |
Surgical oncologist | Deals with administering surgical procedures to treat cancer. Uses biopsy to diagnose cancer. Removes tumors and cancerous tissues |
Pediatric oncologist | Treats cancer in children |
Doctors Treating Lungs and Blood Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Pulmonologist | Treats and diagnoses lung medical condition. Cares for ICU patients with ventilator support needs |
Hematologist | Treats, diagnoses and studies conditions related to the blood |
Doctors Treating Brain/Nervous System Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Neurosurgeon | Specializes in the treatment of diseases affecting the nervous system and the brain |
Neurologist | Diagnoses, studies ad treats medical conditions affecting the brain such as Strokes, seizures and Alzheimer's |
Doctors Treating Joints/Bones/Muscle problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Orthopedist | Repairs and replaces broken bones. Treats bone, tendons and joint problems |
Orthopedic surgeon | Offers surgical treatment for joint, muscle and bones complications |
Rheumatologist | Specializes in the treatment of Vasculitis, Rheumatism and autoimmune disorders. |
Podiatrist | Specializes in treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the ankle and foot |
Doctors Treating Nose/Ears/Throat/Dental/Eyes/Skin Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Audiologist | Specializes in hearing Aids treatment |
Otolaryngologist/ENT specialist | Specializes in ear, throat and nose medical ailments |
Opthalmologist | Specializes in treating eye vision, and performing simple eye surgeries |
Periodontist | Treats dental problems related to teeth supporting structures |
Dermatologist | Specializes in skin and skin structure conditions |
Doctors Treating Psychological Problems | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
General psychiatrist | Specializes in the study, treatment and diagnosis of mental disorder and behavioral problems. |
Neuropsychiatrist | Specializes in mental and brain health |
Geriatric psychiatrist | Deals with mental complications in elderly individuals |
Forensic psychiatrist | Studies correlation between psychology and crime |
Other Types of Doctors | |
Doctor Name | Job Contents |
Parasitologist | Studies biology and pathology of parasites, as well as parasitic diseases. |
Diagnostician | Studies the medical symptoms and reports of patients to diagnose the disease. |
Epidemiologist | Studies the causes and patterns of diseases in a population or area, and make efforts to prevent epidemics/pandemics from happening again. |
