Medical Care
Internists, family doctors, and pediatricians are examples of primary care doctors. They give general medical care. If you are a member of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), your primary care doctor is the doctor you select from the HMO plan to be the “gatekeeper” of all your medical needs. This person could be a family doctor, internist, obstetrician/gynecologist, etc. Whether or not you belong to an HMO, call or see your primary care doctor before you see a specialist. If your primary care doctor cannot take care of your health problem, he or she will refer you to a specialist.
Doctors and Their Specialties
Common doctors and a description of their specialties are listed below.
* Allergist. Diagnoses and treats allergies.
* Anesthesiologist. Administers anesthetics that are used during surgery.
* Cardiologist. Diagnoses and treats diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
* Dermatologist. Diagnoses and treats diseases and problems of the skin.
* Emergency Medicine. Specializes in rapid recognition and treatment of trauma or acute illness.
* Endocrinologist. Diagnoses disorders of the internal glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands.
* Family Practitioner. Provides total health care of the individual and the family. Scope is not limited by age, sex, or organ system.
* Gastroenterologist. Diagnoses and treats disorders of the digestive tract: stomach, bowels, liver, gallbladder, and related organs.
* Gynecologist. Diagnoses and treats disorders of the female reproductive system.
* Internist. Diagnoses and treats diseases especially those of adults.
* Nephrologist. Diagnoses and treats diseases and problems of the kidneys.
* Neurologist. Diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system.
* Obstetrician. Provides care and treatment of females during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and six weeks after delivery.
* Oncologist. Diagnoses and treats all types of cancer and other types of benign and malignant tumors.
* Ophthalmologist. Diagnoses, monitors, and treats vision problems and other disorders of the eye and prescribes prescription lenses.
* Orthopedist. Diagnoses and treats skeletal injuries and diseases of the bones and muscles.
* Otolaryngologist. Diagnoses and treats disorders that affect the ears, respiratory, and upper alimentary systems (in general, the head and neck).
* Pathologist. Examines and diagnoses organs, tissues, and body fluids.
* Pediatrician. Diagnoses and treats the physical, emotional, and social problems of children.
* Physiatrist. Provides physical and rehabilitative treatment of muscle and bone disorders.
* Psychiatrist. Treats and prevents mental, emotional, and/or behavioral disorders.
* Radiologist. Uses x-rays and radiant energy for diagnosis and treatment of disease.
* Urologist. Diagnoses and treats diseases of the urinary or urogenital tract.
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine