Medical Terminology Simplified

APPENDIX

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Medical Specialties

Medical Specialty Medical Specialist Description of Medical Specialty

Allergy Allergist Diagnosis and treatment of allergic disorders caused by hypersensitivity

to foods, pollens, dusts, and medicines

Anesthesiology Anesthesiologist Administration of agents capable of bringing about loss of sensation

with or without loss of consciousness

Cardiology Cardiologist Diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disorders

General General practitioner Coordination of total health-care delivery to all members of the family,

practice (GP) (GP) regardless of sex, including counseling; also known as family medicine

GP encompasses several branches of medicine, including internal medicine,

preventive medicine, pediatrics, surgery, obstetrics, and gynecology.

Geriatrics Gerontologist, Understanding of the physiological characteristics of aging and the

Geriatrician diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting elderly patients; also

known as gerontology

Gynecology Gynecologist Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the female reproductive organs

Hematology Hematologist Diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues

Immunology Immunologist Study of various elements of the immune system and their functions

Immunology includes treatment of immunodeficiency diseases such as

AIDS, autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus, allergies, and

various cancer types related to the immune system.

Internal medicine Internist Study of the physiological and pathological characteristics of internal

organs and the diagnosis and treatment of these organs

Neonatology Neonatologist Care and treatment of neonates

Nephrology Nephrologist Diagnosis and management of kidney disease, kidney transplantation,

and dialysis therapies

Neurosurgery Neurosurgeon Surgery of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves

Obstetrics Obstetrician Care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care

Oncology Oncologist Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer

Oncologists are internal medicine physicians who specialize in the

treatment of solid tumors (such as carcinomas and sarcomas) and liquid

tumors (including hematologic malignancies such as leukemias).

Ophthalmology Ophthalmologist Diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including prescribing corrective

lenses

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