The study of medicine takes many years. It is impossible for any one physician to have a complete grasp of all areas of medicine. As such, it is divided into various disciplines, not only for ease of study, but also for efficient practice. There are four broad areas of medicine: pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. Doctors who practice these specialties are called pediatricians, internists, surgeons, obstetricians and gynecologists, respectively.
Internist
These physicians are involved in the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of illnesses. This discipline of medicine is further divided into subspecialties:
• Gastroenterologist (treats disorders of the stomach, small and large intestines, liver, and rectum)
• Cardiologist (treats diseases of the heart and blood vessels)
• Neurologist (treats diseases of the brain)
• Pulmonologist (treats conditions affecting the lungs and airways)
• Endocrinologist (treats diseases affecting endocrine organs, such as the thyroid and pancreas)
• Hematologist (treats disorders of the blood)
• Oncologist (treats cancer, chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer)
• Nephrologist (treats diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract)
• Rheumatologist (treats diseases primarily affecting the joints)
• Immunology (treats disorders of the immune system)
These are the major subspecialties. Minor subspecialties include geriatric medicine and critical care medicine.
Pediatricians
These doctors are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that affect children. This is similar to an internist, with the exception that the focus is on children. As internal medicine is subdivided, this specialty is also subdivided into similar disciplines. Pediatricians who specialize in newborn disorders are called neonatologists.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
These physicians place their emphasis on women and the disorders affecting them. Obstetricians are concerned with the pregnant patient and disorders of pregnancy. Gynecologists focus on women's health.
Surgeons
Surgery uses instrumental techniques to investigate or treat disease. Doctors who practice this discipline are called surgeons. Surgery is divided into several subspecialties.
• Cardiothoracic surgery (surgery involving the heart and lungs)
• Neurosurgery (surgery on the brain and spinal cord)
• Orthopedics (treats the bones, tendons and ligaments)
• Otolaryngology (treats ear, nose and throat disorders, also called ENT surgeons)
• Urology (treats kidney, bladder, prostate, testicles and urinary tract diseases)
• Ophthalmology (treats eye diseases)
• Podiatric surgery (surgery on the foot and ankle)
• General surgery (intra-abdominal surgery)
General surgery may be further divided into specific organ systems surgery, such as colorectal surgery, hepatobiliary surgery and endocrine surgery.
References
- "Sabiston Textbook of Surgery"; C. Townsend, et al; 2007
- "Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery"; R. C. G. Russel, N. Williams, C. Bulstrode; 2009
- "First Aid Manual, 6th Edition"; A. Marsden, et al; 1995
