![types of doctors](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/what-are-the-different-types-of-doctors.jpg?output-quality=75)
A doctor is a person who is qualified and trained to treat sick and injured people. Doctors are the main point of contact for any medical problem.
The two types of doctors are:
- Primary care doctors
- Specialty doctors
Primary care doctors
Primary care doctors provide basic diagnostic and preventive medical care. They treat minor illnesses, answer questions related to health, conduct health checkups, and refer to specialty doctors when necessary.
There are two types of primary care physicians:
- Family practice physicians: They are more of a personal physician and provide complete medical care, treating people of all ages or all family members.
- Internal medicine physicians: They share many tasks in common with family practice physicians and treat a variety of conditions, which include:
- Common colds
- Heart problems
- Infectious disease
Specialty doctors
Specialty care doctors are specialized in a specific area of medicine. They have proficiency in treating deeper health problems due to their extensive knowledge in that area.
Some of the specialty physicians include:
- Allergists and immunologists: They can effectively treat allergic diseases and conditions, such as asthma and autoimmune diseases. After earning a medical degree, an allergist should complete additional years of study in the field of allergy and immunology.
- Anesthesiologists: They administer medicines to numb the body or put the patient to sleep during surgical procedures. They monitor the patient’s vitals during and after the surgery to ensure that they are stable.
- Cardiologists: They have the expertise to treat conditions of the heart and blood vessels, which include
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dermatologists: They focus on various skin diseases and conditions, including
- Endocrinologists: They are experts in treating various hormonal and metabolic conditions, including
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
- Infertility
- Calcium and bone disorders
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Emergency medicine specialists: They specialize in treating people who are critically injured or sick to avoid chances of disability.
- Gastroenterologists: These doctors focus on treating disorders of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, intestine, liver, and gall bladder, which include
- Geriatric medicine specialists: These doctors are generally family practice physicians and care for older adults.
- Infectious disease specialists: They diagnose and treat various infections, including
- Internists: They diagnose and perform nonsurgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems, such as heart disease or diabetes.
- Nephrologists: They specialize in treating
- Kidney disease
- High blood pressure
- Fluid and mineral imbalances related to kidney disease
- Neurologists: These doctors treat nervous system disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, which include
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Obstetricians and gynecologists: They focus on women’s health, including pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive health.
- Oncologists: They are cancer specialists who perform chemotherapy treatments to treat people with cancer.
- Ophthalmologists: They are eye doctors who diagnose and treat diseases related to the eyes, as well as prescribe glasses or contact lenses.
- Orthopedic surgeons: They specialize in treating diseases of bones, tendons, ligaments, tendons, and joints, which might include
- Sports injuries
- Bone tumors
- Back pain
- Broken bones
- Osteoporosis
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Otolaryngologists: They treat diseases of the
- Ears
- Nose
- Throat
- Sinuses
- Head
- Neck
- Respiratory system
- Pediatricians: They care for newborns, infants, toddlers, children, and even teenagers.
- Podiatrists: They focus on problems concerning ankles and feet, including
- Injuries
- Diabetes
- Psychiatrists: They are specialists who focus on mental, emotional, or addictive disorders, such as
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Substance abuse
- Anxiety disorders
- Sexual and gender identity issues
- Pulmonologists: These doctors treat issues of the lung, which include
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Trouble sleeping caused by breathing issues
- Lung cancer
- Radiologists: They diagnose diseases using X-ray, ultrasound, and other imaging tests.
- Rheumatologists: They focus on rheumatic diseases that can affect the bones, joints, and muscles, which include
- Urologists: They focus on conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive health.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Whitbourne K. What Are the Different Types of Doctors? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/insurance-doctor-types
St. George's University. 10 Types of Physicians in High Demand. https://www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/types-of-physicians-in-demand/
Top What Are the Different Types of Doctors Related Articles
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor About Breast Cancer?
A diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming, so it's important to write down all your questions before meeting with your doctor.Can Doctors Tell if You Smoke From a Blood Test?
A nicotine test measures the level of nicotine or the chemicals cigarettes produce in the body. A lab examination called a nicotine test may help a doctor determine the nicotine content in a person's body.Dizziness: When To See a Doctor?
Patients who continue to have repeated episodes of dizziness need to consult with a doctor.13 Lies You Tell Your Doctor
Are you honest with your doctor? You should be, if you want to stay healthy. Check out WebMD's slide show for the 13 lies you're most likely to tell your doctor.How Do Doctors Test for Flu?
Your doctor may test for the flu using rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs), which can detect influenza viral antigens in respiratory specimens. Other tests include the immunofluorescence antibody test, viral culture and RT-PCR test.COVID-19: Don't Delay Doctor Visits Because of COVID
You want to protect yourself from COVID-19, but you still need medical care. Find out when it's important to see a doctor.Why Does Your Doctor Do That?
Your physical exam is when you need your doctor's expert help. Your health depends on it. Learn how doctors spot high blood pressure, STIs, various cancers, and other signs of poor health. What questions should you ask your doctor? Find out here.When Should You See a Doctor for Upper Respiratory Infection?
What is an upper respiratory infection? Learn the symptoms of an upper respiratory infection and what to do about it.Cold and Flu: What Doctors Do to Boost Their Immune Systems
How can you make your immune system stronger? Why not try what the pros try?What Kind of Doctor Treats Thyroid Eye Disease?
Thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves’ orbitopathy or Graves' ophthalmopathy, is an eye condition that happens in a person with an overactive thyroid. Most eye surgeons (ophthalmologists) and hormone specialists (endocrinologists) will be in contact with an oculoplastic surgeon with experience in treating patients with thyroid eye disease.What Type of Doctor Is A Proctologist?
A proctologist is a surgeon who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the lower digestive tract, which includes the colon, rectum, and anus. Currently, proctologists are referred to as, “colorectal surgeons” or “colon and rectal surgeons.”When Should You Go To the Doctor for a Spider Bite?
Learn what medical treatments can help with your spider bite symptoms and speed up your spider bite recovery.When Should You Go to the Doctor for Hemorrhoids?
If you're dealing with painful or bleeding hemorrhoids, you're not alone. About one in 20 Americans have hemorrhoids, and that includes half of all adults over age 50.When Should You See a Doctor for a Baker’s Cyst?
A Baker’s cyst is caused by excess fluid putting pressure on the back of the knee joint. Learn about the signs and symptoms, how a Baker’s cyst is diagnosed, and the treatments available.