Your primary care physician can handle not every condition. Primary care physicians take care of routine physicals, immunizations, preventative care, and wellness screenings. You may need to see a specialist if you are dealing with advanced issues.
This article will cover the most common types of medical specialties so you can determine who you need to see for your condition.
Pediatrician
Pediatricians treat patients from infancy to the age of 18 or sometimes 21. They are similar to primary care physicians offering immunizations, health screenings, and preventative care. They focus on children rather than adults.
If a patient has a more severe illness, the pediatrician may refer them to a pediatric specialist or surgeon.
Obstetrician/Gynecologist
An obstetrician/gynecologist is a doctor that specializes in female reproductive health issues. They take care of pap smears and breast exams. They may offer assistance on matters pertaining to menstruation and menopause.
An obstetrician is a gynecologist specializing in care for pregnant women. They ensure the woman and child are in good health throughout the pregnancy. They are also trained to deliver babies.
Cardiologist
A cardiologist specializes in heart treatments. A patient may need to see a cardiologist if they are dealing with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease or if they have experienced heart failure, a heart attack, or a stroke.
Oncologist
An oncologist cares for patients who have cancer. They may focus on medical, surgical, radiation oncology, or a combination. They may also participate in clinical trials to experiment with new cancer treatments.
Gastroenterologist
A gastroenterologist treats diseases of the digestive system. They treat the organs of the digestive system, including the GI tract and the biliary organs. They handle procedures and offer outpatient treatments.
Pulmonologists
Pulmonologists treat the cardio-pulmonary system, which consists of the organs involved in the respiratory process, such as the heart, lungs, and other organs. They treat patients with breathing disorders, lung problems, and other respiratory conditions. They may also care for individuals in the ICU with pulmonary disease.
Infectious Disease Physicians
Infectious disease physicians treat diseases like swine flu, bird flu, HIV, and AIDS. They may also deal with other infectious diseases that are hard to diagnose or treat. They oversee patients who require intravenous antibiotics and help with ongoing care management after they leave the hospital.
Nephrologists
Nephrologists specialize in kidney care. They examine patients, order blood and urine tests, and diagnose and treat conditions. They treat kidney disease and prescribe dialysis for people with kidney failure.
Endocrinologist
Endocrinologists specialize in the endocrine system. The system comprises glands that produce and secrete hormones that control many bodily functions. They are crucial in metabolism, blood pressure, cholesterol, thirst, body temperature, and more. The doctors help people with diabetes, thyroid disease, and other conditions that affect the endocrine system.
Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists specialize in eye health. They treat vision problems that an optometrist cannot treat. They address disorders like cataracts and glaucoma. They may also perform eye surgery.
Dermatologist
A dermatologist addresses conditions that affect the hair, skin, and nails. They treat everything from rashes and acne to skin cancer. They may also perform aesthetic procedures like Botox, laser skin treatments, and plastic surgery.
Mental Health Specialists
Mental health conditions are becoming more widely recognized in today’s medical field. There are several types of mental health specialists, including psychotherapists who help people resolve emotional issues, psychoanalysts who help people bring repressed thoughts to the surface so they can deal with them, and psychiatrists who prescribe medications for mental illnesses.
How to Get Specialty Medical Care
Depending on your insurance, you may have to see your primary care physician before you can see a specialist. Your physician will diagnose your condition to determine if you require specialty care. While this can be helpful for specialists who don’t want to treat patients who may not require care, multiple appointments can be time and money-consuming.
If you are looking for a more convenient option, UBERDOC provides an ideal solution.
UBERDOC is an online platform connecting consumers with doctors representing all specialties. We work with insured and uninsured patients and never require a referral. Our services are low cost, with most appointments costing just $250. You can schedule directly through our website and see a doctor in 1-3 days.
If you need specialist care, UBERDOC offers a convenient solution. Visit us online to find out what we have to offer. We are dedicated to fixing the healthcare system and improving patient outcomes.
