Different Types of Doctors

Most doctors have added expertise in one type of medicine or another. There are numerous medical specialities and sub-specialities.

Doctors or physicians are professionals who are concerned with promoting, maintaining, and treating health by way of study, prognosis, diagnosis, prescribing medications, treating injuries, diseases and other mental and physical impairments, and counselling patients on healthy living behaviours. Doctors diagnose and treat patients either independently or refer patients to the appropriate specialist doctor for their medical opinion and advice. Doctors specialise and treat patients in different areas, such as oncology, radiology, anaesthesia, internal medicine, psychiatry, surgery gynaecology, among others. Although we can call them simply doctors, most doctors have added expertise in one type of medicine or another. There are numerous medical specialities and sub-specialities. Given below is the list of different types of doctors.

Cardiologist: A cardiologist diagnoses, assesses and treats patients with defects and diseases of the cardiovascular system, that is, heart and blood vessels including heart attacks, coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorders, heart defects and infections, and other related disorders. They also take images of the heart and peripheral blood vessels by way of both non-invasive and invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty, catheterisation or by using ultrasound equipment.

Paediatrician: A paediatrician specialises in the medical care of babies, young children and teenagers and manages their health including physical, behaviour, and mental health problems. They are skilled to diagnose and treat children having minor ailments, chronic and acute health problems, and congenital and childhood illnesses. They examine children to evaluate their development and growth.

Neurologist: A neurologist manages and treats neurological problems or conditions connected to the nervous system. People having issues with their senses like vision, touch, or smell also consult a neurologist. Neurologists also diagnose and treat patients with seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, stroke, neuromuscular disorders, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders spinal cord disorders comprising autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, and headaches.

Oncologist:  An oncologist treats patients having cancer and provide the needed medical care for cancer patients. There are 3 major types of oncologists: medical oncologist who treats cancer through chemotherapy and/or other medications such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy,  a surgical oncologist who remove tumours in patients by way of surgery and also perform certain types of biopsies to diagnose cancer, and radiation oncologist who treats cancer through radiation therapy.

Nephrologist: A nephrologist specialises in care of the kidneys and diagnoses, treats and manages many conditions or ailments of the kidneys such as kidney stones, tubulointerstitial diseases, acute renal failure, chronic kidney diseases, chronic renal failure, acute kidney disease, fluid and electrolyte disorders, acid-base disorders, and final stage renal diseases and dialysis.

Dermatologist: A dermatologist specialises in treating skin, nail, hair and mucous membrane ailments. Dermatologists also give support for cosmetic problems, facilitating patients to revitalise the appearance of their hair, nails and skin. Furthermore, they are trained to perform laser treatments, skin grafts, excision of lesions, among others.

Obstetrician: An obstetrician specialises in childbirth, pregnancy, and in the reproductive system of the woman. Obstetricians monitor the health of a pregnant woman and her developing baby’s health, including doing regular ultrasounds, tests and measurements.

Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specialises in eye and vision care. An ophthalmologist diagnoses, identifies and treats all eye diseases, prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to rectify vision disorders, and performs eye surgery. Several ophthalmologists are also involved in research on the causes and treatments for eye diseases and vision disorders.

Dentist: A dentist specialises in dentistry and the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and conditions related to the oral cavity. Dentists are concerned with diagnosing oral diseases, promoting oral health and disease prevention, creating treatment plans to restore or maintain the oral health of patients, interpreting diagnostic tests and x-rays, ensuring the safe administration of anesthetics, monitoring growth and development of the jaws and teeth, and performing surgical procedures on the teeth, soft tissues, and bone of the oral cavity.

Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist specialises in psychiatry, that is, the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and study of mental disorders. Psychiatrists evaluate patients to ascertain if their symptoms are caused due to physical illness, or a combination of mental and physical ailments, or strictly psychiatric. A psychiatrist generally works as the clinical leader of the multidisciplinary team that comprise psychologists, occupational therapists, nursing staff, and social workers.

Endocrinologist: An endocrinologist specialises in glands and the hormones they make. They deal with metabolism or all the biochemical processes which make the human body work, including how the body converts food into energy and in what way it grows. They diagnose and treat conditions related to adrenal glands, bone metabolism, hypothalamus (part of the brain), pancreas, pituitary glands, reproductive glands, thyroid gland, and parathyroid gland.

Orthopaedist: They use medical, rehabilitative, surgery and physical techniques and are involved in all facets of healthcare applicable to the musculoskeletal system. An orthopaedist helps in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and curing of disorders connected to the bones, ligaments, joints, muscles and tendons Orthopaedists treat different diseases and symptoms comprising dislocations and fractures, torn ligaments, strains and sprains, tendon injuries, bursitis, pulled muscles, ruptured disks, sciatica, low back pain, osteoporosis, arthritis, bone tumours, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy, among others.

Surgeon: Surgeons are trained in general surgery or advanced and specialised areas of surgery, such as orthopaedic surgery, cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, or neurosurgery, Surgeons plan  surgical procedures, operates in the operation room, and then follows up post-operatively to detect complications and to ensure that the procedure(s) was a success

Otolaryngologist:  An otolaryngologist is generally as an ENT specialist (ear, nose, and throat). An otolaryngologist is qualified and proficient in the medical and surgical treatments and managing patients with ailments and diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and connected structures of the neck/head. ENTs encompass several issues comprising allergies, sinus issues, neck and head complications, and more. As a result, many otolaryngologists sub-specialise in a specific area of otolaryngology.

Radiologist: A radiologist specialises in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging procedures such as X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. They interpret and report on the resulting images, suggesting treatment and additional tests only if needed.

Anaesthesiologist: An anaesthesiologist assist in the management and monitoring of anaesthesia and has an all-encompassing knowledge of anaesthesia techniques, technology, supplies, and instruments. Anaesthesiologists administer pain medication or anaesthesia to patients before, at the time of and after surgeries or other crucial medical procedures. They are qualified in managing patient vital signs and pain in the course of surgery. They also deal with medical emergencies in the hospital, such as sudden breathing complications and heart attacks.