Medical Specialists
Topic Overview
Choosing a doctor or another type of health professional to help with your health care is very important. Never before have people had so many kinds of doctors and other health professionals to choose from. The relationship you have with your health professional greatly influences the health decisions you make and, ultimately, your health.
Talk with your health professional about being a partner in your health decisions. He or she will most likely support your desire to take an active role in your health care.
Think about these important things when you are choosing a health professional:
- Is the health professional well-trained and experienced?
- Is the health professional board-certified, Opens dialog?
- Will the health professional be available when needed?
- Will the health professional work in partnership with you?
- Does your health plan provide coverage for this service?
This topic lists many of the specialties and subspecialties of medical doctors (MDs) and osteopathic doctors, Opens dialog (DOs). It also provides listings for other types of health professionals you may see for your health needs. Each listing includes a description of the specialty and information about why you might choose that type of health professional.
Medical specialists are doctors who have completed advanced education and clinical training in a specific area of medicine (their specialty area). Examples of medical specialists include the following:
- Addiction psychiatrist, Opens dialog
- Adolescent medicine specialist, Opens dialog
- Allergist (immunologist), Opens dialog
- Anesthesiologist, Opens dialog
- Cardiac electrophysiologist, Opens dialog
- Cardiologist, Opens dialog
- Cardiovascular surgeon, Opens dialog
- Colon and rectal surgeon, Opens dialog
- Critical care medicine specialist, Opens dialog
- Dermatologist, Opens dialog
- Developmental pediatrician, Opens dialog
- Emergency medicine specialist, Opens dialog
- Endocrinologist, Opens dialog
- Family medicine physician, Opens dialog
- Forensic pathologist, Opens dialog
- Gastroenterologist, Opens dialog
- Geriatric medicine specialist, Opens dialog
- Gynecologist, Opens dialog
- Gynecologic oncologist, Opens dialog
- Hand surgeon, Opens dialog
- Hematologist, Opens dialog
- Hepatologist, Opens dialog
- Hospitalist, Opens dialog
- Hospice and palliative medicine specialist, Opens dialog
- Hyperbaric physician, Opens dialog
- Infectious disease specialist, Opens dialog
- Internist, Opens dialog
- Interventional cardiologist, Opens dialog
- Medical examiner, Opens dialog
- Medical geneticist, Opens dialog
- Neonatologist, Opens dialog
- Nephrologist, Opens dialog
- Neurological surgeon, Opens dialog
- Neurologist, Opens dialog
- Nuclear medicine specialist, Opens dialog
- Obstetrician, Opens dialog
- Occupational medicine specialist, Opens dialog
- Oncologist, Opens dialog
- Ophthalmologist, Opens dialog
- Oral surgeon (maxillofacial surgeon), Opens dialog
- Orthopedic surgeon, Opens dialog
- Otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist), Opens dialog
- Pain management specialist, Opens dialog
- Pathologist, Opens dialog
- Pediatrician, Opens dialog
- Perinatologist, Opens dialog
- Physiatrist, Opens dialog
- Plastic surgeon, Opens dialog
- Psychiatrist, Opens dialog
- Pulmonologist, Opens dialog
- Radiation oncologist, Opens dialog
- Radiologist, Opens dialog
- Reproductive endocrinologist, Opens dialog
- Rheumatologist, Opens dialog
- Sleep disorders specialist, Opens dialog
- Spinal cord injury specialist, Opens dialog
- Sports medicine specialist, Opens dialog
- Surgeon, Opens dialog
- Thoracic surgeon, Opens dialog
- Urologist, Opens dialog
- Vascular surgeon, Opens dialog
Other health professionals include the following:
- Acupuncturist, Opens dialog
- Audiologist, Opens dialog
- Certified diabetes educator (CDE), Opens dialog
- Certified nurse-midwife, Opens dialog
- Certified nursing assistant (CNA), Opens dialog
- Certified professional midwife, Opens dialog
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), Opens dialog
- Chiropractor (doctor of chiropractic medicine), Opens dialog
- Dental hygienist, Opens dialog
- Dentist, Opens dialog
- Endodontist, Opens dialog
- General practitioner, Opens dialog
- Genetic counselor, Opens dialog
- Lay midwife, Opens dialog
- Licensed mental health counselor, Opens dialog
- Licensed nurse (LPN or LVN), Opens dialog
- Naturopathic doctor (ND), Opens dialog
- Nurse practitioner (NP), Opens dialog
- Occupational therapist (OT), Opens dialog
- Optician, Opens dialog
- Optometrist, Opens dialog
- Orthodontist, Opens dialog
- Pharmacist, Opens dialog
- Physical therapist (PT), Opens dialog
- Physician assistant (PA), Opens dialog
- Podiatrist, Opens dialog
- Psychiatric nurse, Opens dialog
- Psychologist, Opens dialog
- Radiologic technologist, Opens dialog
- Recreational therapist, Opens dialog
- Registered dietitian (RD), Opens dialog
- Registered nurse (RN), Opens dialog
- Respiratory therapist (RT), Opens dialog
- Social worker, Opens dialog
- Speech-language pathologist (speech therapist), Opens dialog
Before the visit
Collect the following information before your visit. Take it with you to your appointment.
- Gather any medical records for previous treatment for the same or a similar problem.
- Make a list of all prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking.
During the visit
- State your main problem or reason for your visit.
- Describe your symptoms.
- Describe your past experiences with this problem.
- State how this problem is affecting your life.
After the visit
Write down:
- What your health professional thinks the problem might be.
- What you might expect to happen next.
- What you can do to manage your problem at home.
Questions to ask about medicines, tests, and treatments
- What is the name of the medicine, test, or treatment?
- Why is it needed?
- What are the risks?
- What are potential side effects?
- Are there alternatives?
- How much does it cost?
- Is the cost of the medicine covered by my insurance?
- What will happen if I decide not to have treatment?
- How do I take this medicine?
- How will this medicine react with other medicines I am taking?
- How do I prepare for each test or treatment?
Questions to ask at the end of your visit
- When should I return for another visit?
- When will test results be available?
- Should I contact you or will you contact me?
- Be sure to ask for copies of any test results.
- Are there any danger signs that I need to look for?
- What else do I need to know?
For more information, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
Current as of: October 24, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: October 24, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
