When a person has a medical concern, they may turn to a doctor for help. There are many types of doctors, and a person’s specific concern will usually determine the type of doctor they choose.
There are many types of doctors, but there are two main categories: primary care and specialty care. Within these two groups, doctors vary widely in their specialty area and level of training.
This article looks at the different types of doctors, their roles, the conditions they treat, and the procedures they can perform
Primary care doctors.
A primary care physician is someone who:
- treats minor illnesses
- answers health questions
- conducts health checkups
- performs routine health tests, including those for cholesterol or blood sugar levels
- provides referrals to specialty physicians when necessary
- keeps a person’s medical records together
A primary care doctor may be one of the following types:
Family practice physician
Family practice physicians are also called family medicine doctors. They treat people of all ages.
Internal medicine physician
An internal medicine physician performs many of the same tasks as a family practice physician. However, internal medicine physicians treat adults only.
Family medicine vs. internal medicine physicians
Although family medicine and internal medicine physicians can both treat adults, the American College of Physicians says that there are some key differences.
For example, internal medicine doctors have training in both general medicine and subspecialties. They also tend to be more focused on medical issues that affect adults.
Family physicians, meanwhile, have broader training in medicine that allows them to care for both children and adults. They can treat a wide range of medical issues and emphasize disease prevention and health maintenance.
Pediatricians
Pediatricians focus on treating children from birth to young adulthood. They may be a child’s primary care physician and have training in:
- well-baby and well-child visits
- school or sports physicals
- childhood vaccines
- disease prevention for children and babies
- treating illnesses and injuries in children and babies
Geriatric medicine doctorsGeriatric medicine doctors, also called geriatricians, focus on care for older adults.
According to the American Medical AssociationTrusted Source, geriatricians are internal medicine or family medicine doctors who have additional training in:
- the aging process
- preventive care for older adults
- the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions that affect older adults
We are often confused about doctors. While we have a rough idea about our body, who treats which part is still a wonder for many of us. Here is a basic list of doctors you should know about:
1. Cardiologist: A cardiologist is a doctor who deals with the cardiovascular system. This means he or she treats any abnormality in our blood vessels and heart. This can include heart disease or a condition that requires diagnosis and treatment.
2. Audiologist: As the name suggests, an audiologist treats and evaluates anything and everything to do with the audio or hearing abilities of a person. Since hearing is a very important sense, it requires an expert to treat the same.
3. Dentist: According to American Dental Association, a dentist is a doctor of oral health. Oral health includes teeth, tongue, and gums. A dentist is known to diagnose and treat issues in these three areas.
4. ENT specialist: ENT stands for ear, nose, and throat. A specialist who treats and diagnoses the issues and troubles of these three areas. Also known as an otolaryngologist, an ENT specialist is a physician to trained to treat the disorders of ENT.
5. Gynaecologist: A gynecologist is trained to treat the female reproductive system which includes the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and breasts.
6. Orthopaedic surgeon: An orthopedic surgeon is known to deal with issues relating to the musculoskeletal system. This means muscles and bones. Any fracture, pain, or abnormality in these areas needs to be consulted about with an orthopedic surgeon.
7. Paediatrician: Paediatricians are doctors who treat children. Since a child’s body functions in a different manner from ours, due to many factors like age and growing stages, their illness and health issues are different from an adult's. A pediatrician helps with mental behavior issues and physical health problems.
8. Psychiatrists: Mental health is a vast field that requires our uttermost attention. Therefore, treating what goes inside a human brain is difficult, due to its uncertainty of it. A psychiatrist helps treat and diagnose issues of mental health.
9. Veterinarian: After the uniqueness of mental health, comes the issue of our furr buddies: animals. Treatment and diagnosis of issues in animals are done by a veterinarian. This includes both mental and physical both as well.
10. Radiologist: A radiologist for diagnosing diseases and internal & external injuries with the help of imaging techniques like x-rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds, etc. They are the first step towards a diagnosis of any sort, which cannot be done without a machine.
11. Pulmonologist: Pulmonary means lungs, hence a doctor who treats lungs. Since the list of abnormalities and issues relating to the lungs is long in modern times, a pulmonologist helps diagnose and treat common issues like lung cancer.
12. Endocrinologist: An endocrinologist is responsible for treating the endocrine system which includes the pituitary gland, pancreas, ovaries, thyroid, hypothalamus, etc. they help in treating diabetes, hyperthyroidism, etc.
13. Oncologist: Oncology involves the study of all types of cancers. This involves radiation, medical and surgical. Oncologists can specialize in one type of cancer as well as the field is vast.
14. Neurologist: As the name suggests, a neurologist is responsible for treating and diagnosing issues of the nervous system. Our nervous system includes our brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and nerves.
15. Cardiothoracic surgeon: Thorax means the chest. A cardiothoracic surgeon treats conditions of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest.
