Below
is a listing of specialties and subspecialties that physicians
enter, and descriptions of what the specialists do.
Addiction
Psychiatry
Provide psychiatric care for patients with alcohol, drug, or
substance abuse problems and help with the emotional and behavioral
consequences. Subspecialty of Psychiatry.
Adolescent
Medicine
Treat the unique healthcare concerns of adolescents, including physical,
psychological, and social issues. Subspecialty of Internal Medicine
or Pediatrics.
Allergy
and Immunology
Treat disorders of the immune system such as asthma, eczema, nasal
allergies, food allergies, and immunodeficiency diseases.
Anesthesiology
Provide relief from acute and chronic pain and help stabilize a patient's
condition during and after an operation or other medical procedure.
Blood
Banking/Transfusion Medicine
Manage the safety and supply of a blood bank, supervise testing to
ensure compatibility before blood transfusions, and prepare special
blood components such as platelets for transfusion. Subspecialty
of Pathology.
Cardiac
Electrophysiology
Manage technical procedures involved in evaluating heart rhythms
and determining or providing appropriate treatment. Subspecialty
of Cardiology.
Cardiology
Study the heart and treat disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
Cardiovascular
Disease
Diagnose and treat diseases of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels
and manage cardiac conditions such as heart attacks. Subspecialty
of Internal Medicine.
Chemical
Pathology
Analyze the biochemistry of the body as it pertains to the detection
or monitoring of a disease. Subspecialty of Pathology.
Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry
Diagnose and treat children and adolescents with mental, addictive,
or emotional disorders. Subspecialty of Psychiatry.
Clinical
Biochemical Genetics
Perform and interpret biochemical analysis in connection with the
diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases. Subspecialty of Medical
Genetics.
Clinical
Cytogenetics
Perform and interpret laboratory analysis of cellular structures,
mainly chromosomes. Subspecialty of Medical Genetics.
Clinical
Genetics
Diagnose and treat a wide range of genetic disorders, interpret
family health histories, perform specialized laboratory procedures,
and provide health care. Subspecialty of Medical Genetics.
Clinical
and Laboratory Immunology
Use laboratory tests and procedures to diagnose and treat disorders
of the immune system. Subspecialty of Allergy and Immunology, Internal
Medicine, or Pediatrics.
Clinical
and Laboratory Dermatological Immunology
Diagnose and treat skin diseases that involve the immune system.
Subspecialty of Dermatology.
Clinical
Molecular Genetics
Perform and interpret molecular laboratory analyses in connection
with genetic diseases. Subspecialty of Medical Genetics.
Clinical
Neurophysiology
Diagnose and treat disorders of the nervous system and muscles using
techniques that measure electrical forces in the body. Subspecialty
of Neurology or Psychiatry.
Colon
and Rectal Surgery
Diagnose and treat diseases of the intestinal tract, colon, rectum,
anal canal, and perianal area.
Critical
Care Medicine
Diagnose and treat patients with multiple organ dysfunction or life-threatening
disorders such as shock, coma, heart failure, and respiratory arrest,
primarily in intensive care or critical care units. Subspecialty
of Anesthesiology, Internal Medicine, or Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Cytopathology
Diagnose disease by studying cells obtained from body secretions,
scrapings, or aspiration, often to look for evidence of cancer.
Subspecialty of Pathology.
Dermatology
Diagnose and treat disorders of the skin, mouth, external genitalia,
hair, and nails, such as skin cancers, moles, allergic disorders,
and scarring.
Dermatopathology
Diagnose and monitor diseases of the skin by examining and evaluating
tissue specimens from patients. Subspecialty of Dermatology or
Pathology.
Diagnostic
Radiology
Diagnose disease using imaging techniques such as x-rays and ultrasound.
Subspecialty of Radiology.
Endocrinology,
Diabetes, and Metabolism
Diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine system such as thyroid
and adrenal gland problems and disorders such as diabetes, pituitary
diseases, and menstrual and sexual problems. Subspecialty of Internal
Medicine.
Emergency
Medicine
Make immediate decisions and take action to prevent death or disability
in an acutely ill or injured person, usually in a hospital emergency
department.
Family
Practice
Prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients
of all ages, incorporating training in surgery, psychiatry, internal
medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and geriatrics.
Forensic
Pathology
Investigate and evaluate cases of sudden, unexpected, and suspicious
deaths; includes coroners and medical examiners. Subspecialty of
Pathology.
Gastroenterology
Diagnose and treat problems of the stomach, pancreas, intestines,
liver, and gallbladder, such as abdominal pain, ulcers, cancer,
and jaundice. Subspecialty of Internal Medicine.
General
Vascular Surgery
Surgically treat disorders of blood vessels. Subspecialty of Surgery.
Geriatric
Medicine
Diagnose and treat disorders common in older people. Subspecialty
of Family Practice or Internal Medicine.
Geriatric
Psychiatry
Diagnose and treat the mental, addictive, and emotional disorders
of the elderly. Subspecialty of Psychiatry.
Gynecologic
Oncology
Diagnose and treat patients with cancer occurring in the female
reproductive organs. Subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Hand
Surgery
Diagnose and treat, sometimes by performing surgery, all structures
that affect the form and use of the hand and wrist. Subspecialty
of Orthopedic Surgery or Plastic Surgery.
Hematology
Diagnose and treat diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands,
such as anemia, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and leukemia.
Subspecialty of Internal Medicine or Pathology.
Hospitalist
Stand in for primary care doctors, when their patients are in the
hospital. (Some primary care doctors take care of their patients
in their offices, and also in the hospital, when the patients
need to be hospitalized. However, in recent years, some primary
care doctors have had trouble getting in to the hospital in a
timely fashion, because of the busy schedule in their offices.
When hospitalists care for a hospitalized patient, they remain
in close touch with the patient’s primary care doctor.)
Immunopathology
Study the cause and prognosis of disease by examining the immunological
status of tissues. Subspecialty of Pathology.
Infectious
Disease
Diagnose and treat infectious diseases and practice preventive medicine.
Subspecialty of Internal Medicine.
Internal
Medicine
Provide long-term comprehensive care, manage common illnesses and
problems of adolescents and adults, treat mental health and substance
abuse problems, and educate patients on disease prevention and wellness.
Legal
Psychiatry
Diagnose and treat patients who have committed a crime and advise
on compensation cases and commitment of the mentally ill. Subspecialty
of Psychiatry.
Maternal
and Fetal Medicine
Diagnose and treat patients with complications during or caused by
pregnancy. Subspecialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Medical
Genetics
Diagnose and treat patients with genetic-linked diseases and provide
genetic counseling.
Microbiology
Isolate and identify agents that can cause disease such as viruses,
bacteria, fungi, and parasites that are found in specimens from
patients. Subspecialty of Pathology.
Neonatal-Perinatal
Medicine
Provide care for sick newborn infants, often as a consultant to pediatricians.
Subspecialty of Pediatrics.
Nephrology
Diagnose and treat disorders of the kidneys, high blood pressure,
and fluid and mineral imbalances. Subspecialty of Internal Medicine.
Neurological
Surgery
Diagnose and surgically treat problems of the nervous system (including
the brain, spinal cord, and nerves) and the blood vessels and structures
that support that system.
Neurology
Diagnose and treat all disorders of the nervous system, including
the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and the structures that support
them.
Neuropathology
Diagnose diseases by examining tissues from the nervous system and
skeletal muscles, primarily as consultants to neurologists and
neurosurgeons. Subspecialty of Pathology.
Neuroradiology
Diagnose disorders of the brain, spine, spinal cord, head, and neck
using radiology imaging procedures. Subspecialty of Radiology.
Nuclear
Medicine
Diagnose and treat diseases using radioactive materials called radionuclides,
using images of the body taken by means of positron emission tomography
(PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans.
Subspecialty of Radiology.
Obstetrics
and Gynecology
Diagnose and treat disorders and conditions of the female reproductive
system, including pregnancy.
Oncology
Diagnose and treat all types of cancer, often with chemotherapy,
and consult with radiologists and surgeons on other treatments.
Subspecialty of Internal Medicine.
Ophthalmology
Diagnose and treat problems related to the eyes and vision, including
vision correction with glasses or contact lenses and treatment
of diseases such as glaucoma.
Orthopedic
Surgery
Diagnose and treat problems related to the form and function of the
muscles and bones of the arms, legs, shoulders, hips, and spine,
including disorders present at birth, injuries, and infections.
Otology/Neurootology
Diagnose and treat diseases of the ear and the surrounding bones,
including problems with hearing and balance. Subspecialty of
Otolaryngology.
Otolaryngology
Diagnose and treat diseases, including cancer, that affect the ears,
respiratory system, and head and neck. Has expertise in plastic
and reconstructive surgery.
Pain
Management
Treat people experiencing acute and chronic pain. Subspecialty
of Anesthesiology.
Pathology
Explore the causes and nature of diseases through examining body
tissues and fluids, using microscopic examination and other laboratory
tests.
Pediatric
Cardiology
Diagnose and treat infants and children who have problems of the
heart and blood vessels. Subspecialty of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Critical Care Medicine
Treat infants and children needing advanced life support and coordinate
the care and treatment provided by other involved physicians. Subspecialty
of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Emergency Medicine
Treat emergencies in infants and children. Subspecialty of Emergency
Medicine or Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Endocrinology
Diagnose and treat infants and children who have diseases or disorders
such as diabetes mellitus, growth problems, early or late puberty,
and birth defects resulting from problems in the hormonal system.
Subspecialty of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Gastroenterology
Diagnose and treat disorders occurring in the digestive tract of
infants and children. Subspecialty of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology
Diagnose and treat infants and children who have blood disorders,
cancer, or both. Subspecialty of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Infectious Disease
Diagnose and treat infants and children who have infectious diseases
such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or tuberculosis
that are more complicated than normal childhood illnesses. Subspecialty
of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Nephrology
Diagnose and treat infants and children who have problems associated
with the kidneys and urinary tract. Subspecialty of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Otolaryngology
Diagnose and treat infants and children with disorders of the ear,
respiratory system, and head and neck, including problems with speech
and hearing. Subspecialty of Otolaryngology.
Pediatric
Pathology
Diagnose, using laboratory analysis of diseased tissue and body
fluids, diseases that occur during fetal growth, infancy, and childhood.
Subspecialty of Pathology.
Pediatric Pulmonology
Diagnose and treat respiratory diseases in infants and children.
Subspecialty of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Radiology
Use imaging procedures such as x-rays to diagnose and treat diseases
in infants and children. Subspecialty of Radiology.
Pediatric
Rheumatology
Diagnose and treat rheumatological diseases of the joints, muscles,
tendons, and bones such as arthritis and muscle strains in infants
and children. Subspecialty of Pediatrics.
Pediatric
Surgery
Surgically treat diseases and disorders of infants and children.
Subspecialty of Surgery.
Pediatrics
Provide a broad spectrum of health care for children from infancy
to young adulthood, including physical, emotional, and social
health; provide preventive health care; and treat disease.
Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation
Diagnose and treat impairments or disabilities involving muscles,
nerves, and other body systems, focusing on restoration of physical,
psychological, social, and vocational function.
Plastic
Surgery
Repair or reconstruct parts of the body, including the face, hands,
breasts, and trunk.
Podiatry
Focuses on the preventive care (for example, for
diabetics) and treatment of the feet and legs. Podiatrists
are doctors that receive four years of training and are licensed
to independently diagnose and treat (both medically and surgically)
conditions of the feet and legs.
Preventive
Medicine
Focus on the health of individuals and groups to maintain health
and prevent disease, disability, or premature death; may work in
public health agencies and large health care systems or with employee
groups.
Psychiatry
Diagnose and treat mental, addictive, and emotional disorders such
as depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, sexual dysfunction,
stress, and developmental problems; order diagnostic laboratory
tests; and prescribe medications.
Pulmonary
Disease (Pulmonology)
Diagnose and treat diseases of the lungs and airways such as lung
cancer, pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, sleep disorders (which often
affect breathing), and emphysema. Subspecialty of Internal Medicine.
Radiation
Oncology
Treat diseases such as malignant tumors with radiation. Subspecialty
of Radiology.
Radiology
Diagnose using radiology methods, such as x-rays, ultrasound, and
nuclear medicine, or treat disease using radiation.
Reproductive
Endocrinology
Diagnose and treat complex problems related to hormonal aspects of
the reproductive system, especially fertility problems.
Rheumatology
Diagnose and treat diseases of joints, muscles, bones, and tendons
such as arthritis, back pain, and common athletic injuries. Subspecialty
of Internal Medicine.
Sports
Medicine
Promote wellness, health, fitness, and the prevention of injuries
using exercise physiology, nutrition, psychology, and physical rehabilitation.
Subspecialty of Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Internal Medicine,
or Pediatrics.
Surgery
Surgically treat all areas of the body and provide care before, during,
and after surgery.
Surgical
Critical Care
Treat critically ill people, including injury victims and those who
have had surgery, in the emergency department, burn unit, and intensive
care unit. Subspecialty of Surgery.
Thoracic
Surgery
Surgically treat patients with disorders of the chest such as coronary
artery disease, lung cancer, and chest tumors.
Toxicology
Treat people who have been poisoned by household or industrial toxins,
environmental toxins, and prescription and nonprescription drugs.
Subspecialty of Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, or Preventive
Medicine.
Undersea
Medicine
Diagnose and treat disorders, such as decompression illness and diving
injuries, caused by lower- or higher-than-normal barometric pressures.
Subspecialty of Preventive Medicine.
Urology
Diagnose and treat disorders of the urinary tract in men and women
and the genital tract in men.
Vascular
and Interventional Radiology
Diagnose and treat disease by placing an instrument into an organ
or blood vessel, guided by radiologic imaging procedures such as
ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Subspecialty of
Radiology.
Other Healthcare Specialists
Other healthcare specialists
who are not doctors work with doctors in the care of patients.
They all receive special training, take examinations, and receive
certification in their professions.
Emergency
Medical Technicians (EMTs)
Provide emergency care and transport seriously ill people to hospitals.
Various levels of training, with the most highly trained being called
paramedics.
Home
Health Aides
Perform personal services such as cooking, housekeeping, or help
with bathing for homebound people.
Licensed
Practical Nurses (LPNs)
Provide nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses.
Medical
Technicians
Perform laboratory tests.
Nurse
Practitioners
Nurses who receive special additional training to perform physical
examinations, make diagnoses, and prescribe treatment, often under
the supervision of a physician.
Occupational
Therapists
Help patients learn the skills needed for daily activities.
Opticians
Fit people with glasses and contact lenses.
Optometrists
Measure vision and prescribe corrective lenses.
Orthotists
and Prosthetists
Fit braces and artificial limbs.
Paramedics
The most highly trained emergency medical technicians (EMTs): provide
emergency care for people who have accidents or life-threatening
medical emergencies outside of the hospital.
Pharmacists
Mix and dispense medications.
Physical
Therapists
Work to prevent patients’ loss of function and to restore function.
Physician
Assistants
Receive special training to perform physical examinations, make diagnoses,
and prescribe treatment, under the supervision of a physician.
Psychologists
Diagnose and treat mental health problems.
Radiology
Technicians
Take and develop x-rays.
Social
Workers
Help patients with matters such as finances, insurance, and family
problems.
Speech
Pathologists
Measure and treat speech disorders.
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