DOCTOR

A medical doctor or physician is a person who uses medicine to

treat illness and injuries to improve a patient's health. In most countries, the
basic medical degree qualifies a person to treat patients and prescribe
appropriate treatment, including drugs. A physician may also do the
simplest kinds of surgery.
Training and Qualification
Doctors are trained in medical schools which are usually part of
a university. They hold a degree awarded by a medical school. Doctors
work in hospitals, medical clinics, from their own offices, or may even visit
people in their homes. They may also work for schools, companies, sports
teams, or the military. Medical doctors are often assisted in their work
by nurses.
The basic degree is awarded on the successful completion of medical
school education and practice. It is given different names in different
countries. It is M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) in the USA, Scotland and some
other countries. In England, different universities use different terms.
The University of London qualification is M.B. Ch.B. (that is, Bachelor of
Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). Most countries have higher
qualifications, based on experience, supervised work, more exams, and
theses. Because of its history, in England a general practitioner eventually
becomes an MRCP (member of the Royal College of Physicians), but
a surgeon works towards becoming an MRCS (Member of the Royal
College of Surgeons). A similar system is used
in Edinburgh, Ireland and Canada.
What they do
Medical doctors treat patients by finding out what is wrong with them,
known as a diagnosis. They ask questions about the patient's symptoms.
These might include fever or pain. They may ask about past illnesses or
family members who have been sick. They will then examine the patient.
They look at different parts of the body, listen to the heart and lungs with
a stethoscope. Sometimes they may need to collect a sample of blood, use
an x-ray machine, or use other tools. When they have gathered enough
information, a doctor can make a diagnosis and then plan a treatment.
Often they prescribe drugs.
Specialists
Some physicians only work on certain diseases or injuries, or may only
work on one part of the human body. These doctors are called specialists.
For example, there are doctors who specialize in diseases of
the stomach or intestines. Other medical doctors are "general practitioners"
or "family practitioners". This means that they do a little bit of everything.
The general practitioner the first doctor a patient will see, and this doctor
may decide to send them to a specialist doctor if needed.
Some types of specialists are:
1. Allergists/Immunologists
They treat immune system disorders such as asthma, eczema, food
allergies, insect sting allergies, and some autoimmune diseases.
2. Anesthesiologists
These doctors give you drugs to numb your pain or to put you under during
surgery, childbirth, or other procedures. They monitor your vital signs while
you’re under anesthesia.
3. Cardiologists
They’re experts on the heart and blood vessels. You might see them
for heart failure, a heart attack, high blood pressure, or an irregular
heartbeat.
4. Colon and Rectal Surgeons
You would see these doctors for problems with your small intestine, colon,
and bottom. They can treat colon cancer, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory
bowel disease. They also can do a colonoscopy and other tests for colon
cancer.
5. Critical Care Medicine Specialists
They care for people who are critically ill or injured. You might see them if
your heart or other organs are failing or if you’ve been in an accident.
6. Dermatologists
Have problems with your skin, hair, nails? Do you have moles,
scars, acne, or skin allergies? Dermatologists can help.
7. Endocrinologists
These are experts on hormones and metabolism. They can treat
conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, infertility,
and calcium and bone disorders.
8. Emergency Medicine Specialists
These doctors make life-or-death decisions for sick and injured people,
usually in an emergency room. Their job is to save lives and to avoid or
lower the chances of disability.
9. Family Physicians
They care for the whole family, including children, adults, and the elderly.
They do routine checkups and screening tests, give
you flu and immunization shots, and manage diabetes and other ongoing
medical conditions.
10. Gastroenterologists
They’re specialists in digestive organs, including the stomach,
bowels, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. You might see them
for abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, jaundice, or cancers in your digestive
organs.
11. Geriatric Medicine Specialists
These doctors care for the elderly. They can treat people in their homes,
doctors' offices, nursing homes, assisted-living centers, and hospitals.
12. Hematologists
These are specialists in diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands,
like sickle cell disease, anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia.
13. Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialists
They work with people who are nearing death. They’re experts in pain
management. They work with a team of other doctors to keep up your
quality of life.
14. Infectious Disease Specialists
They diagnose and treat infections in any part of your body,
like fevers, Lyme disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and HIV and AIDS.
Some of them specialize in preventive medicine or travel medicine.
15. Internists
These primary-care doctors treat both common and complex illnesses,
 usually only in adults. You’ll likely visit them or your family doctor first for
any condition. Internists often have advanced training in a host of
subspecialties, like heart disease, cancer, or adolescent or sleep medicine.
16. Medical Geneticists
They diagnose and treat hereditary disorders passed down from parents to
children. These doctors may also offer genetic counseling and screening
tests.
17. Nephrologists
They treat kidney diseases as well as high blood pressure and fluid and
mineral imbalances linked to kidney disease.
18. Neurologists
These are specialists in the nervous system, which includes the brain,
spinal cord, and nerves. They treat strokes, brain and spinal
tumors, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
19. Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Often called OB/GYNs, these doctors focus on women's health,
including pregnancy and childbirth. They do Pap smears, pelvic exams,
and pregnancy checkups. OB/GYNs are trained in both areas. But some of
them may focus on women's reproductive health (gynecologists), and
others specialize in caring for pregnant women (obstetricians).
20. Oncologists
These internists are cancer specialists. They do chemotherapy treatments
and often work with radiation oncologists and surgeons to care for
someone with cancer.
21. Ophthalmologists
You call them eye doctors. They can prescribe glasses or contact
lenses and diagnose and treat diseases like glaucoma. Unlike
optometrists, they’re medical doctors who can treat every kind
of eye condition as well as operate on the eyes.
22. Osteopaths
Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) are fully licensed medical doctors
just like MDs. Their training stresses a “whole body” approach. Osteopaths
use the latest medical technology but also the body’s natural ability to heal
itself.
23. Otolaryngologists
They treat diseases in the ears, nose, throat, sinuses, head, neck,
and respiratory system. They also can do reconstructive and plastic
surgery on your head and neck.
24. Pathologists
These lab doctors identify the causes of diseases by examining body
 tissues and fluids under microscopes.
25. Pediatricians
They care for children from birth to young adulthood. Some pediatricians
specialize in pre-teens and teens, child abuse, or children's developmental
issues.
26. Physiatrists
These specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation treat neck or back
pain and sports or spinal cord injuries as well as other disabilities caused
by accidents or diseases.
27. Plastic Surgeons
You might call them cosmetic surgeons. They rebuild or repair your skin,
face, hands, breasts, or body. That can happen after an injury or disease
or for cosmetic reasons.
28. Podiatrists
They care for problems in your ankles and feet. That can include injuries
from accidents or sports or from ongoing health conditions like diabetes.
Some podiatrists have advanced training in other subspecialties of the
foot.
29. Preventive Medicine Specialists
They focus on keeping you well. They may work in public health or at
hospitals. Some focus on treating people with addictions, illnesses from
exposure to drugs, chemicals, and poisons, and other areas.
30. Psychiatrists
These doctors work with people with mental, emotional, or addictive
disorders. They can diagnose and treat depression, schizophrenia,
substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and sexual and gender identity
issues. Some psychiatrists focus on children, adolescents, or the elderly.
31. Pulmonologists
You would see these specialists for problems like lung cancer,
pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, and trouble sleeping caused by
breathing issues.
32. Radiologists
They use X-rays, ultrasound, and other imaging tests to diagnose
diseases. They can also specialize in radiation oncology to treat conditions
like cancer.
33. Rheumatologists
They specialize in arthritis and other diseases in your joints, muscles,
bones, and tendons. You might see them for your osteoporosis (weak
bones), back pain, gout, tendinitis from sports or repetitive injuries,
and fibromyalgia.
34. Sleep Medicine Specialists
They find and treat causes behind your poor sleep. They may have sleep
labs or give you take-home tests to chart your sleep-wake patterns.
35. Sports Medicine Specialists
These doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries related to sports
and exercise.
36. General Surgeons
These doctors can operate on all parts of your body. They can take out
tumors, appendices, or gallbladders and repair hernias. Many surgeons
have subspecialties, like cancer, hand, or vascular surgery.
37. Urologists
These are surgeons who care for men and women for problems in the
urinary tract, like a leaky bladder. They also treat male infertility and
do prostate exams.