32 Types of Medical Specialists
There are many different types of doctors.
These doctors treat people with allergies and asthma as well as people with primary immunodeficiency disease.
Aspiring anesthesiologists must attend medical school followed by a residency program for anesthesiology.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Cardiologist
Cardiologistsfocus on treatment of the heart and its blood vessels.
This can include the management of heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and post-operative care.
Training to become a cardiologist is fairly extensive.
Dermatologist
Dermatologistsdiagnose and treat conditions that affect the hair, skin, and nails.
This may include treating rashes or acne, diagnosing melanoma (skin cancer), and much more.
Such procedures include Botox injections, laser skin treatments, and more.
After medical school, dermatologists must attend dermatology residency.
Dermatology is a very competitive field for physicians.
What Is a Residency?
People with diabetes or thyroid disease are often treated by an endocrinologist.
Like other internal medicine physicians, endocrinologists attend medical school followed by an internal medicine residency.
They are then required to attend fellowship training for endocrinology.
That’s due to both an aging population and physicians retiring earlier.
It’s also based on current levels of access.
If more people can access health care in coming years, up to 145,500 additional physicians may be needed.
After attending medical school, family medicine physicians attend a family medicine residency program for three to five years.
Gastroenterology is another subspecialty of internal medicine.
At minimum, gastroenterologists attend medical school followed by an internal medicine residency.
From there, they need to attend fellowship training for gastroenterology.
Geneticists may treat patients directly or work in a laboratory setting to help diagnose patients.
Some geneticists also work as genetic counselors to help counsel patients who have been diagnosed with a genetic condition.
Geneticists often also conduct research into clinical genetics and patient care.
They may further specialize in pediatrics, internal medicine, maternal-fetal medicine, or reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
They are certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
Hematologists also treat non-cancerous conditions like hemophilia and anemia.
Hematologists work directly with patients, while hematopathologists help diagnose blood-related diseases in a laboratory.
After residency, they must complete a one-year specialized training fellowship.
Internal Medicine Physician
General internists provide primary care to adult patients.
Internists usually have more hospital-based training than family practitioners.
They may have an office-based practice or work as ahospitalistprimarily seeing patients in the hospital.
These physicians attend medical school followed by an internal medicine residency.
What Is a Fellow?
A fellow is a physician who attends fellowship training.
A fellowship is somewhat like a paid internship during which fellows shadow experts and leaders in their field.
The training may involve clinical and surgical practice as well as research.
Nephrologist
Nephrologiststreat kidney disease and prescribedialysisfor those experiencing kidney failure.
After medical school, these physicians attend an internal medicine residency program.
They are then required to attend fellowship training for nephrology.
They see patients who have complex medical disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathy.
Neurologists also take care of patients who have common problems such as migraine headaches and dizziness.
Like other physicians, neurologists must attend medical school then a residency for neurology.
An obstetrician provides care for people who are pregnant.
Obstetricians also are trained to deliver babies.
Often, these specialities are combined, in which case the physician is referred to as an OB/GYN.
At minimum, OB/GYNs must attend medical school followed by a residency program.
Once their residency is complete, some continue their training with a fellowship for a subspecialty.
Gynecological oncologya field that deals with cancer of the female reproductive organsis just one example.
Often, oncologists take part inclinical trialsusing new and experimental treatments for cancers that are otherwise incurable.
Oncologists attend medical school followed by an oncology residency.
Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologistsare medical doctors who treat diseases or disorders of the eyes, such ascataractsandglaucoma.
Vision correction that cannot be handled by an optometrist may be treated by an ophthalmologist.
When necessary, ophthalmologists will also perform eye surgery.
Ophthalmologists attend medical school followed by a residency for ophthalmology.
These physicians see patients with injuries such as sprains, joint injuries, and broken bones.
They also specialize in chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, tendonitis, dysplasia, and osteoporosis.
Orthopedists diagnose and treat conditions of the musculoskeletal system, monitor patient rehabilitation, and perform surgery when necessary.
Orthopedic surgeons complete a five-year residency program with the option to complete fellowship training.
Osteopath
Anosteopathis a doctor who specializes in treating the whole person.
These physicians typically practice primary care medicine such as pediatrics or internal medicine.
Otolaryngologist
Otolaryngologistsare more commonly referred to as ENTs, or ear/nose/throat doctors.
Otolaryngology is a field that entails a combination of surgical skills and office-based medicine and treatment.
They are required to attend medical school in addition to residency for otolaryngology.
Pathologist
Pathologistsspecialize in investigating the cause and effect of disease and injury.
These physicians are trained to evaluate tissue, blood, and body fluids to help diagnose and treat illnesses.
Some pathologists also examine bodies to help find the cause of death.
In the United States, pathologists complete medical school followed by three years of residency training.
They are certified by the American Board of Pathology.
If they choose to study a pediatric subspecialty, they will then attend a fellowship for that subspecialty.
Physician Executive
Some physicians do not practice medicine.
Instead, they take leading roles in health care policy, pharmaceutical research, or health insurance companies.
Non-clinical doctors generally are required to have completed medical school and residency.
They must also maintain a medical license.
Plastic Surgeon
Plastic surgeons are surgeons who specialize in changing a person’s appearance.
For example, treating acleft palatewith plastic surgery can improve a person’s ability to breathe or speak.
Plastic surgery can also help improve the appearance of burns orscarsor reduce the signs of aging.
Podiatrists must complete four years of education in a specialized podiatric medical school.
They may also treat patients with pulmonary disease who are in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Aspiring pulmonologists attend medical school followed by an internal medicine residency.
They then attend fellowship training for pulmonology.
What Is an Intensivist?
An intensivist is a physician who works in the intensive care unit treating critically ill patients.
In addition to medical school and residency, these doctors also do a fellowship in critical care medicine.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist specializes in mental health.
After medical school and residency for psychiatry, some psychiatrists attend fellowships for a subspecialty.
Psychotherapy vs. Psychoanalysis
Psychotherapists use talk therapy to help people resolve emotional or mental health challenges.
Radiologist
Aradiologistis a physician who is trained in viewing and interpreting diagnostic tests.
Often, the treating physician must interpret test results as well.
The radiologist’s analysis can offer additional information or advice for further testing.
Before a radiologist is licensed, they must attend medical school and a residency forradiology.
Rheumatologist
Rheumatologiststreat rheumatic diseases, or autoimmune and inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
They also treat other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and scleroderma.
A rheumatologist may also treat chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and related conditions.
After medical school, rheumatologists complete a three-year basic internal medicine residency followed by a rheumatology fellowship.
Rheumatologists are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Sleep medicine is considered multidisciplinary, which means there is a broad range of specialties within it.
A one-year fellowship is required after the residency is completed.
Internists complete a three-year fellowship in pulmonary/critical care before completing sleep medicine training.
Neurosurgeons are amongst the highest-paid doctors, with an average annual salary of more than $788,000 in 2023.
Urologists also treat conditions of the male reproductive system.
It will help you to understand more about the key in of provider you needor want to become.
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.About allergists / immunologists.
American Society of Anesthesiologists.Anesthesia care team.
American College of Cardiology.Clinical topics.
2018;4(3):176178. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2018.01.001
Endocrine Society.What is endocrinology?
American Association of Medical Colleges.The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections From 2018 to 2033.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Family medicine specialty.
American Academy of Family Physicians.Training requirements for family physicians.
American College of Gastroenterology.What is a gastroenterologist?
American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics.Careers in medical genetics.
American Society of Hematology.Resources for medical students and residents.
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialists.A career in hospice and palliative medicine.
Infectious Diseases Society of America.What is an ID specialist.
American Board of Internal Medicine.Certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
American Society of Nephrology.About ASN.
American Academy of Neurology Brain&Life.Neurology frequently asked questions.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.About us.
American cancer society.Choosing a cancer doctor.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is an ophthalmologist vs optometrist?
2014;6(2):218-21. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-14-00120.1
American Osteopathic Association.Becoming a DO.
American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery.About us.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is a pathologist?
Healthychildren.org.About the American Academy of Pediatrics.
American Association for Physician Leadership.About us.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Overview of plastic surgery.
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine.Doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM).
American Lung Association.Know your providers: What does a pulmonologist do?
American Psychiatric Association.What is psychiatry?
American College of Radiology.Who are ACR members?
American College of Physicians.Rheumatology.
American Thoracic Society.Choosing sleep medicine.
American Board of Surgery.Get certified.
Doximity.2023 physician compensation report.
The American Board of Urology.General requirements.
