Q. What do you call the guy who graduated last in his class at medical school?
A. Doctor
Becoming a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor Of Osteopathy (DO) in the US involves several years of training to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide variety of diseases, illnesses, and physical and mental conditions1. First the individual must take four years in a pre-medical program (typically majoring in biology, chemistry, or physical science). After this, they must take and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) given by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). Once they have passed this, they must apply for and be accepted to a four year medical school.
Every doctor must take these first eight years of schooling, and upon graduation they receive their MD degree. Hopefully after all of this the new doctor has decided on a specialty because, they must still take at least three years of additional supervised training called their "residency". Training in additional subareas of specialty can take another one to three years. The three to seven years as a resident is full-time paid experience, however as stated, the doctor is still technically being educated and is under direct supervision.
In addition to all of this education and training, a doctor must pass various tests to receive a license to practice medicine (isn't it scary that they call it "practicing" medicine?) from the state they are working in. Different medical specialties require different licenses, and in the United States it is the American Medical Association (AMA), American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), American Dental Association (ADA) and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) which certifies physicians for these licenses1. Below are a list of medical specialties and subspecialties:
- Dentist - specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of oral health problems especially the teeth and gums
- Doctor of Emergency Medicine / Emergency Physician - focuses on immediate decision making and action to prevent death; primary focus is recognition, evaluation, care, and stabilization of the patient
- Internist / Doctor of Internal Medicine - provides long-term, comprehensive care in managing complex illnesses resulting from internal problems in the body including the heart, kidneys, joints, and digestive, respiratory, and vascular systems
- Doctor of Adolescent Medicine - internist specializing in the treatment of adolescents (see Pediatrics)
- Cardiologist / Doctor of Cardiovascular Disease - specializes in treating diseases of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, as well as treatment for other cardiac conditions including heart attacks and abnormal heartbeats
- Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist - treatment of cardiovascular disease including the evaluation of heart rhythms
- Clinical and Laboratory Immunologist - an internist dealing with immunology (see Allergy and Immunology)
- Doctor of Critical Care Medicine - treats and supports patients with multiple organ dysfunction; typically works in the intensive care unit (ICU)
- Endocrinologist - an interist who specializes of the glands (endocrine system) such as thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands; also specializes in related diseases such as diabetes and menstrual/sexual problems
- Gastroenterologist - treatment of diseases of the digestive system including the stomach, bowels, liver, and gallbladder
- Gerontologist / Doctor of Geriatric Medicine - internist specializing in geriatrics (see Family Practice)
- Hematologist - specializes in diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands
- Doctor of Infectious Disease - diagnoses and treats infectious diseases
- Interventional Cardiologist - uses specialized imaging techniques to diagnose problems with blood flow, arterial pressure, the chambers of the heart, and other cardiac abnormalities
- Oncologist / Medical Oncologist - specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other benign and malignant tumors; deals with chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- Nephrologist - deals with disorders of the kidneys, high blood pressure, fluid and mineral balance, and dialysis
- Pulmonologist - treats diseases of the lungs and airways
- Rheumatologist - treats problems with the joints, muscles, bones, and tendons
- Doctor of Sports Medicine - internist specializing in sports medicine (see Emergency Medicine and Family Practice)
- Doctor of Nuclear Medicine - employs radioactive atoms and molecules in the diagnosis and treatment of disease with the help of radiation detection and imaging technologies
- Pathologist - deals with finding and treating the causes of disease including diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment primarily through application of laboratory procedures in the fields of biology, chemistry, and physical science
- Doctor of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine - a physician who is responsible for the maintenance of an adequate blood supply, and blood donor and blood recipient safety; deals with transfusion compatibility, antibody testing, and specially prepared blood components (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma
- Chemical Pathologist - has expertise in the biochemistry of the human body as it applies to the cause of disease
- Cytopathologist - deals with the study of cells obtained from body secretions, fluids, scraping, washing, or aspiration
- Dermatopathologist - diagnosis and monitoring diseases of the skin through the use and testing of tissue sections, cellular scraping, and skin lesions
- Forensic Pathologist - investigates and evaluates cases of sudden, unexpected, suspicious, or violent death through the use of autopsies; often serves as a coroner or medical examiner
- Hematologist - expert in diseases that affect blood cells, blood clotting, bone marrow, and lymph nodes
- Medical Microbiologist - isolates and identifies microbial agents that cause infectious disease including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites
- Molecular Genetic Pathologist - deals with the theory and technologies of molecular biology as it deals with genetic disorders, human development, and infectious diseases
- Neuropathologist - a pathologist specializing in the diagnosis of diseases of the nervous system
- Pediatric Pathologist - a pathologist specializing in diagnosis and treatment of children and infants
- Psychiatrist - deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, addictive, and emotional disorders including schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, sexual and gender identity disorders
- Neurologist - specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and impairments of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves as well as the muscles and blood vessels relating to these systems
- Surgeon - treats and correct a wide variety of conditions that require surgery including disease and trauma
- Pediatric Surgeon - surgeon specializing in the treatment of adolescents, children, and infants
- Hand Surgeon - surgeon specializing in the intricate workings of the hands and wrists
- Critical Care Surgeon - surgeon specializing in the management of the critically ill and trauma victims
- Vascular Surgeon - surgeon specializing in the treatment of disorders of the blood vessels (excluding the intercranial vessels or the heart)
- See also: Colon and Rectal Surgery, Neurological Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Thoracic Surgery
- Veterinarian / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - treats animals instead of people; it should be noted that veterinarians can specialize in nearly any of the medical specialties listed above, and in addition can specialize in certain animals or classifications of animals - unique specializations not listed for humans above are listed below:
See Also
Other Medical and Health Care Specialists (Non-Doctor Specialists)
- Accoucheur
- Alternative Medicine Practitioner - including Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Homeopathist
- Apothecary
- Candy Striper
- Chiropractor
- Counselor
- Dental Hygienist
- Dietitian
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Medic / Combat Medic
- Medical Assistant - including Physician Assistant and Dental Assistant
- Medical Consultant - including Lactation Consultant
- Medical Technician - including Orthotics Technician, Prosthetics Technician, Laboratory Technician, X-ray Technician, Radiography Technician, Optician, Optometric Technician, Orthopedic Technician, etc.
- Medical Technologist
- Medicine Man / Shaman / Witch Doctor
- Midwife / Nurse Midwife
- Mom
- Nurse - including Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Nurse Clinician
- Nutritionist
- Optometrist
- Orthotist
- Paramedic
- Pharmacist / Pharmaceutist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Psychologist
- Psychometrist
- Social Worker
- Therapist / Therapeutist - including Massage Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist (Physiotherapist), Perfusionist, Psychotherapist, Audiologist, Speech Therapist, etc.
- Veterinary Technician
- /msg me with more...
1 It should be noted that the educational and licensing requirements for Dentists and Veterinarians are very different from those of Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy. |
