Soon-to-be physicians attending medical school have a lot to think about when choosing whether to practice primary care or to specialize. The majority of MD students end up choosing to specialize, and about 35 percent of DO students choose to specialize as well. Here is a look at some the many medical specialties that there are to choose from when you are preparing to become a physician. A truly comprehensive list would cover over 120 different specialties, so here you will find a summary of only the most frequently chosen and recruited specialties.
Cardiology
Cardiologists treat problems of the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart, arteries, and veins. You might visit a cardiologist, for example, about chest pains, heart failure symptoms, heart arrhythmia, or cardiomyopathy symptoms. Cardiology is technically an internal medicine subspecialty.
Emergency medicine
Physicians working in emergency medicine specialize in treating patients who require immediate care. This is a type of work that can vary significantly from day to day, as you never know what’s going to come through the door.
Family practice
Family practice is a division of primary care that deals with providing comprehensive care to patients of all ages. Family practice doctors have the skills and knowledge to provide continuing care to patients.
Internal medicine
Internal medicine is the specialty that deals with preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases in adult patients. Physicians who specialize in internal medicine are known as internists or physicians, without a modifier.
Obstetrics and gynecology
Obstetrics is the medical field that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, while gynecology is centered around female reproductive health. These two fields are jointly part of the obstetrics and gynecology specialty, which is often abbreviated OB/GYN.
Neurology
Neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems. You might visit a neurologist, for example, about epilepsy, chronic headaches, dizziness, or recurring numbness.
Pediatrics
Pediatricians specialize in treating children with both minor and serious medical conditions, and they work both in hospitals and group practices. There are certain subspecialties within the field of pediatrics, including pediatric oncology, adolescent medicine, and critical care.
Psychiatry
Psychiatrists specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental, emotional, and addictive disorders. They are trained in the medical, psychological, and social components of these disorders and work with several different treatment approaches, including medication, psychotherapy, and diagnostic tests.
Surgery
Physicians who specialize in general surgery treat patients with medical conditions that require surgery as part of the treatment plan. Keep in mind that within the realm of surgery there are a great many specialties, with focus on particular organs and body systems. You can read about surgery specialties in our blog post about them here.
Does ones of these medical specialties speak to you? Or are you experienced and looking to find work in one of these particular fields? If so, Fusion HealthCare Staffing can get you started on the right path toward finding the perfect employment match for you.