GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES
|
| Allergy & Clinical Immunology |
| Arthritis & Rheumatology |
| Cardiovascular Disease |
| Dermatology |
| Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) |
| Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Family Practice/General Practice |
| Gastroenterology |
| Hematology |
| Internal Medicine |
| Nephrology |
| Neurology |
| Nurse Practitioner |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| Oncology |
| Ophthalmology |
| Otolaryngology |
| Pediatrics |
| Pediatrics |
| Psychiatry |
| Pulmonary Diseases |
| Radiology |
| Surgery |
| Urology |
ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
This branch of medicine specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic conditions caused by reactions to substances in the environment.
Rheumatologists diagnose and treat disorders of the joints and muscles, such as arthritis.
Evaluation & treatment of functions and diseases of the heart.
This branch of medicine treats disease of the skin such as acne, rashes and warts.
D.O.s are fully qualified physicians licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication in all 50 states. D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they assess the overall health of their patients including home and work environments. Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive health care.D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system -- your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another.
This medical branch which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the hormone producing glandular system, which controls or helps regulate skeletal and sexual development, growth, metabolism, reproduction, and mineral/water balances. The more common disorders treated include diabetes and problems of thyroid hormone production.
Family Practice/General Practice
One of the fastest growing medical specialties is family medicine, also known as general practice. All ages and health problems are handled through this comprehensive and continuous care program. Physicians in this field consider the total person in treating illness and maintaining good health.
Disorders of the digestive system such as in the stomach, intestine, esophagus, liver and gall bladder are diagnosed and treated within this medical specialty.
This specialty is the study of the blood and blood-forming tissues.
This major field deals with the diagnosis and treatment of malfunctioning organs and systems within the body.
Specialists in this field, called nephrologists, study kidney disorders.
This branch of medical science deals with treating disorders of the nervous system.
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse (RN) who has advanced education and clinical training in a health care specialty area. Nurse Practitioners practice under the rules and regulations of the Nurse Practice Act of the state in which they work. Most nurse practitioners are also nationally certified in their specialty area. They are recognized as expert health care providers.
In order to provide complete health care, Nurse Practitioners: Obtain medical histories and perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat acute health problems such as infections and injuries, diagnose, treat, and monitor chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, order, perform, and interpret diagnostic studies such as lab work and x-rays, prescribe medications and other treatments, provide prenatal care and family planning services, provide well-child care, including screening and immunizations, provide health maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals, promote positive health behaviors and self-care skills through education and counseling, and collaborate with physicians and other health professionals as needed.
Gynecology is the branch of medicine that specializes in the care given to women by treating diseases and disorders of the female productive system. Obstetrics is the branch of medicine specializing in the management and treatment of pregnant women, including delivery and postpartum care.
Physicians in this medical field analyze and treat tumors and other abnormal tissue growths commonly known as cancers.
Ophthalmology is the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of diseases and defects of the eye.
This branch of medicine focuses on the medical and surgical treatment of illness or injury of the ear, nose and throat.
Pediatrics is a specialty concerned with the care and development of children as well as treating diseases of children.
Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in most states can write prescriptions. PAs are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).Because of the close working relationship the PAs have with physicians, PAs are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners. To maintain their national certification, PAs must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for a recertification every six years. Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the national certifying exam are required for state licensure.
Branch of medicine concerned with the study, treatment and prevention of mental illness. Some psychiatrists specialize further in the treatment of certain age groups or illnesses.
The function and diseases of the lungs are the areas handled by specialists in this medical branch.
A radiologist is a physician with special training in the use of x-rays, radioactive materials and other imaging procedures to diagnose and treat disease.
Branch of medicine that treats disease and injury through an operative or manual method.
Branch of medicine concerned with the urinary tract or urogenital tracts.
Updated December 9, 2002