Med Terms Ch 6.2: Specialties & Specialists: Physicians & Medical Specialties

cardiologist

a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease

dermatologist

a physician who specializes in the treatment of infections, growths, and injuries related to the skin

anesthesiologist

a physician who specializes in anesthesiology; administers anesthetics, of which there are two types; general anesthetics, which produce sleep, and regional anesthetics, which render a specific area insensible to pain

endocrinologist

a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the glands of internal secretion

gastroenterologist

a physician who specializes in the study of the stomach and intestines and their diseases

gynecologist

a physician who specializes in the diseases of the genital tract in women

hematologist

a physician who specializes in the science of blood and blood-forming tissues

allergist/immunologist

a physician who specializes in addressing allergic reactions and immunologic disorders

nephrologist

a physician who specializes in the science of the kidneys

neurologist

a physician who specializes in the science of the central nervous system

oncologist

a physician who specializes in the study of tumors

ophthalmologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and prescribing treatment for defects, injuries, and diseases of the eye

otorhinolaryngologist

a physician who specializes in the diseases of the ear, nose, and throat

pathologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing changes in the body tissues and organs that cause or are caused by disease

proctologist

a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the rectum and anus

radiologist

a physician who specializes in the interpretation of X-rays and other radioactive substances used for diagnostic purposes

obstetrician

a physician who specializes in pregnancy, labor, and the puerperium

pediatrician

a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s diseases

geriatrician

a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of the aging and elderly

physician

one who studies body function, an authorized practitioner of medicine

psychiatrist

a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders

internist

a physician who specializes in internal organs of the body and their function

orthopedist

a surgeon who specializes in the preservation and restoration of the function of the skeletal system, its articulation, and associated structures.

physiatrist

a physician who specializes in prescribing and providing physical therapy and rehabilitation for patient requiring it

practitioner

a physician who is schooled in six basic areas; internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, psychiatry, pediatrics, and community medicine; the practitioner can treat the whole family and coordinate specialty care if necessary