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I've decided to make a thread with generic information on every major medical specialty, mostly because I'm bored, but also because it could/should help you guys with some of your questions.
(Note: not every specialty is on here because I don't have that kind of time. Feel free to research and add other specialties to this list.)
(Note: not every specialty is on here because I don't have that kind of time. Feel free to research and add other specialties to this list.)
Anesthesiology
In general, an anesthesiologist is a medical doctor who cares for a patient before, during and immediately following a surgical or medical procedure by administering appropriate anesthesia and monitoring the patient for reactions and complications, and to ensure comfort and manage pain.
An anesthesiologist meets with the patient prior to the procedure to evaluate the patient's condition and review their medical history. The anesthesiologist also explains the process so the patient knows what to expect. During the procedure, the anesthesiologist carefully monitors the patient's vital signs and comfort and makes the appropriate adjustments in anesthesia. Following the procedure, the anesthesiologist continues to monitor the patient's vitals and may be involved in management of pain.
Training
Upon graduation from medical school, an anesthesiologist must spend one year in an internship and three more years in a residency program. There are approximately 160 anesthesiology medical residency programs throughout the United States and Canada.
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Cardiology
Cardiology is a sub-specialty of internal medicine. Therefore, a physician who plans to practice cardiology first goes through the internal medicine residency program, and then attends fellowships to obtain the more specialized training and practice in the type of cardiology one wants to practice.
Cardiologists provide health care to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the heart and cardiovascular system, including the arteries. Because the field of cardiology encompasses so many different types of diseases and procedures, there are many different types of cardiology one may choose to practice depending on his or her interests and skill sets, and the type of work they'd like to do. A cardiologist is not a surgeon. The physicians who do open heart surgery are cardio-thoracic surgeons, and they complete a surgical residency program, not an internal medicine residency as cardiologists do.
Training
Again, cardiologists start by training as internists, including 4 years of medical school, plus three years of residency training. After completing the internal medicine residency, a prospective cardiologist may enter one of many different types of cardiology fellowships. Cardiology fellowships are 2-3 years depending on the type of fellowship.
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Dermatology
A dermatologist is a physician trained to treat diseases and conditions of the skin, on any part of the body. Dermatologists can treat anything from a fungus or bacterial infection of the skin, to various types of cancer. Dermatologists remove cancerous or unhealthy lesions from the skin, in a minor outpatient surgical procedure.In addition to medical treatment of skin conditions, dermatologists may also do aesthetic, elective procedures for patients who wish to improve skin tone and decrease signs of aging. Some of these aesthetic treatments may include laser treatment, botox injections, or collagen injections.
Training
Because dermatologists are physicians, they must have either an M.D. or a D.O. degree (medical doctorate). They must complete:
Like other physicians, dermatologists must meet the other requirements for a US medical license to practice, by passing all three steps of the USMLE exam. Then, the doctor must pass the test for Board Certification by the American Board of Dermatology. Lastly, the prospective dermatologist must meet requirements for a state license in the state he or she wishes to work.
- Medical degree - 4 years
- Internship - 1 year
- Residency Training - 3 years
- Mohs Surgery training (optional) - 1-2 years
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Emergency Medicine
A physician who specializes in emergency medicine focuses on the immediate decision making and action necessary to prevent death or any further disability both in the pre-hospital setting by directing emergency medical technicians as well as in the emergency department. The emergency physician provides immediate recognition, evaluation, care, stabilization, and disposition of a generally diversified population of adult and pediatric patients in response to acute illness and injury.
Training
The residency training program for emergency medicine is three years. Additional training from one to two years is required to be certified in the subspecialty areas.
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E.N.T (Otolaryngology)
An otolaryngologist is a head and neck surgeon who provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, nose, throat, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems, and related structures of the head and neck. The otolaryngologist diagnoses and provides medical and surgical therapy or prevention of diseases, allergies, neoplasms, deformities, disorders, and injuries of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, respiratory and upper alimentary systems, face, jaws, and the other head and neck systems. Head and neck oncology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and treatment of disorders of hearing and voice are fundamental areas of expertise.
Training
Residency in otolaryngology consists of one year of general surgery, emergency, critical care, and anesthesia training followed by four years of otolaryngology training. Up to two years of additional training is required to practice in one of the subspecialty areas.
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Endocrinology
An endocrinologist is a specially trained doctor. Endocrinologists diagnose diseases that affect your glands. They know how to treat conditions that are often complex and involve many systems within your body. Your primary care doctor refers you to an endocrinologist when you have a problem with your endocrine system.
Training
Endocrinologists finish four years of medical school and then spend three or four years in an internship and residency program. These specialty programs cover internal medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology. They spend two or three more years learning how to diagnose and treat hormone conditions. Overall, an endocrinologist's training will take more than 10 years.
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Family Medicine
A family physician is concerned with the total health care of the individual and the family and is trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages. The family physician is trained to care for children as well as adults, including the unique needs of women and the elderly, preventive medicine, and behavioral science. Special emphasis is placed on the primary care of families, utilizing consultants, and community resources when appropriate.
Training
The residency training for family practice is three years. An additional year of training is required to be certified in a subspecialty.
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Gastroenterology
A gastroenterologist has a particular interest in diseases digestive tract. To become proficient in the treatment and management of these conditions, a gastroenterologist must undergo training in both internal medicine and advanced training in problems of the digestive tract.
Training
A gastroenterologist must first complete a 4-year college degree followed by 4 years of medical school at which time they receive a medical degree. The next step is a 3-year residency in internal medicine. At that time a physician may elect to continue on to a specialty in gastroenterology.
A gastroenterology fellowship is 2 to 3 years during which a physician learns to evaluate and manage digestive diseases. This training encompasses conditions that may be seen in an office or in a hospital setting and instruction in how to perform diagnostic endoscopy procedures, such as colonoscopy. In all, a gastroenterologist has undergone a minimum of 13 years of formal classroom education and practical training before becoming a certified gastroenterologist.
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Hematology
A hematologist is expert in the investigation, diagnosis, and management of disorders of the aforementioned organ systems through the use of the medical history, physical findings, specialized clinical laboratory tests, and evaluation of tissue or cytological specimens. Clinical entities considered specific to the specialty of hematology include disorders of the structure, function, and physiology of red and white blood cells and platelets, disorders of hemostatic system regulation or function, and benign and malignant disorders of the bone marrow and lymphoreticular system. Hematologists also evaluate and manage systemic disorders and other poorly understood diseases that clinically present as abnormalities of the aforementioned organ systems.
Training
After completing medical school, your first three years will generally be spent in residency. Internal medicine and pediatrics are the typical residency tracks completed prior to specializing in hematology or hematology/oncology, although you may enter hematology after completing other general residency programs as well (e.g., combined internal medicine and pediatrics or family practice). Another possible track is to do a pathology residency for approximately three years, after which you could pursue a career in hematopathology, blood banking, or transfusion/laboratory medicine. Each residency program has a unique structure, but all include elements of patient care. These programs generally do not include basic research, although they may offer brief periods of "elective" study, which, in rare cases, may be laboratory-based.
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Immunology
A physician who specializes in allergy and immunology is trained in the evaluation, physical and laboratory diagnosis and management of disorders involving the immune system. Selected examples of such conditions include: asthma, anaphylaxis, rhinitis, eczema and adverse reactions to drugs, foods and insect stings as well as immune deficiency diseases (both acquired and congenital), defects in host defense and problems related to autoimmune disease, organ transplantation or malignancies of the immune system. As our understanding of the immune system develops, the scope of this specialty is widening.
Training
Allergy and immunology requires a three-year residency in internal medicine or pediatrics, followed by a two-year fellowship in allergy and immunology.
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Internal Medicine
A personal physician who provides long-term comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common and complex illness of adolescents, adults, and the elderly. Internists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of of cancer, infections, and diseases affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints and digestive, respiratory, and vascular systems. They are also trained in the essentials of primary care internal medicine which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health, and effective treatment of common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system, and reproductive organs.
Training
The residency for general internal medicine is three years. To practice in an internal medicine subspecialty requires from one to three years of additional training.
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Infectious Disease
An infectious disease physician is an internist who completes additional training in infectious disease prevention and treatment. Infectious diseases are illnesses that are passed from person to person, as opposed to being contracted genetically or environmentally. One of the most common examples of infectious diseases is influenza (flu). Infectious diseases include sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as HIV/AIDS. Most infectious disease physicians are hospital based, or they can also see patients in a clinic, or outpatient setting. Infectious disease specialists help to identify and manage patients who have been infected. They also assist in the tracking and reporting of the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining close contact with public health professionals from the CDC and other Public Health organizations.
Training
In order to become an infectious disease physician, one must first complete the process of becoming an internist. An internist may then complete an additional fellowship training program (2-3 years in length) in infectious disease and become board-certified in infectious disease in addition to being board-certified in internal medicine. According to the AMA's website, there are 144 infectious disease fellowship programs nationwide. Some infectious disease physicians may also choose to sub-specialize even further, focusing on one particular disease or type of infectious disease, such as HIV/AIDS.
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Neurology
A neurologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of disease or impaired function of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, and autonomic nervous system as well as the blood vessels that relate to these structures.
Training
The residency training program for neurology is four years. Certification in any of the subspecialties requires an additional one to three years of training.
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OB/GYN
The medical specialties of obstetrics and gynecology are often practiced together as they are closely related. Obstetrics is the treatment of women during pregnancy, also known as pre-natal care. Gynecology is the medical specialty which involves the health and well-being of the female reproductive organs. A physician who practices obstetrics and gynecology is known as an ob/gyn, or they may be referred to as simply an "O.B." or a gynecologist, even if their practice incorporates both of these aspects.
Training
The residency training program for OB/GYN is four years.
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Pediatrics
A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectrum of health services ranging from preventive health care to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. The pediatrician deals with biological, social, and environmental influences on the developing child, and with the impact of disease and dysfunction on development.
Training
Following graduation from medical school, pediatricians complete 3 years of education in a pediatric residency program. The 3-year residency includes mandated rotations in general pediatrics, normal newborn care, and time in selected subspecialty areas. Up to 3 additional years of training are required to be certified in a subspecialty.
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Psychiatry
Psychiatrists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, addictive, and emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, and adjustment disorders. The psychiatrist is able to understand the biologic, psychologic, and social components of illness, and therefore is uniquely prepared to treat the whole person. A psychiatrist is qualified to order diagnostic laboratory tests and to prescribe medications, evaluate, and treat psychologic and interpersonal problems, and to intervene with families who are coping with stress, crises, and other problems in living.
Training
The residency training for psychiatry is four years. Up to two years of additional training are required to practice in one of the subspecialty areas.
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Radiology
A radiologist is a physician who utilizes imaging methodologies to diagnose and manage patients and provide therapeutic options. A radiologist utilizes x-ray, ionizing radiation, radionuclides, ultrasound, electromagnetic radiation, and image-guided intervention to diagnose and treat disease.
Training
The residency training program for radiology is five years of approved training with a minimum of four years in diagnostic radiology. Additional training of at least one year is required to be certified in the subspecialty areas.
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Surgery (I'm not going to do every surgical specialty...)
A general surgeon has expertise in the diagnosis and care of patients with diseases and disorders affecting the abdomen, digestive tract, endocrine system, breast, skin, and blood vessels. A general surgeon is also trained in the care of pediatric and cancer patients and in the treatment of patients who are injured or critically ill. Common problems treated by general surgeons include hernias, breast tumors, gallstones, appendicitis, pancreatitis, bowel obstructions, colon inflammation, and colon cancer. General surgeons increasingly provide care through the use of minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques.
Training
The residency for general surgery is five years minimum. Up to two years of additional training is required to practice in one of the subspecialty areas. Many of the subspecialties/fellowships require lab time to be able to get into those programs.
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Urology
A urologist, also known as a genitourinary surgeon, manages congenital and acquired conditions of the genitourinary system and contiguous structures including the adrenal gland. These conditions extend from the fetus to the elderly, and may be benign or malignant. A urologist has comprehensive knowledge of these disorders and the patients in whom they occur. This specialist is skilled in medical and open surgical therapy of these conditions as well as endoscopic, percutaneous, and other minimally invasive methods.
Training
The residency training for urologists is five years. Practice in the pediatric urology subspecialty requires one additional year of training.
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