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Doctor of Medicine
The doctor of medicine takes care of the ill and injured restoring patient's health and preventing diseases.
Medical doctors may work as private practitioners or part as of a group practice. They also work in hospitals,
education and research. Doctors can specialize in many areas of medicine. The most familiar doctor to most families
is the primary care physician or family practitioner. The family practitioner is educated and trained in internal
medicine, gynecology, pediatrics and general surgery. The family practitioner can take care of most of the medical
needs of all members of the family from newborn to geriatric. Physicians are responsible for the life and health of
others around the clock, regardless of other commitments or personal needs. Meeting that responsibility takes
dedication as well as great physical and emotional strength.
| Partial list of specialty areas of medicine |
Anesthesiology
The study of anesthesia. Anesthetics are used to bring relief or eliminate any sensation during surgery either in a conscious or
unconscious state. |
Cardiovascular Surgery
A surgical subspecialty that involves operating on the heart and related blood vessels. |
Family Medicine / General Practice
A medical specialty in which the physician cares for the medical problems of all members of the family. |
General Surgery
A surgical specialty for treatment of a wide variety of problems including those in the abdomen, the hormone system, the breast and
the circulatory system.
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Geriatrics
The branch of medicine concerned with the illnesses and disorders of the elderly. |
Gynecology
Medical specialty which deals with disorders and diseases of the female genital and reproductive system.
|
Internal Medicine
Specialists in this field (called internists) are concerned with the medical, as opposed to surgical or obstetrical, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases of adults. |
Neonatal / Perinatal Medicine
A specialty involving the study, support and treatment of newborn and prematurely born babies and their mothers. |
Nephrology
A specialty concerned with diagnosis and treatment of kidney disorders. |
Neurology
This specialty area involves the diagnosis and treatment of disorders in the nervous system and brain.
|
Nuclear Medicine
A specialty field in which radioactive substances are used for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
|
Obstetrics
The specialty concerned with pregnancy, labor, delivery and postnatal care of the mother and child.
|
Oncology
The medical field concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of malignant or life-threatening tumors (cancer).
|
Ophthalmology
Involves the diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision disorders and diseases by a variety of techniques including surgery. |
Orthopedics
A surgically oriented branch of medicine that is concerned with the bones and associated structures.
|
Otolaryngology
An otolaryngologist (more commonly known as an ENT) concentrates on the disorders of the ears, nose and upper respiratory tract
(throat). It also includes head and neck surgery. |
Pathology
The branch of medicine concerned with the laboratory study and diagnosis of disease. |
Pediatrics
The medical specialty concerned with the care and development of children, the maintenance of their health and the treatment of
childhood diseases. Within pediatrics are several subspecialties such as: pediatric nephrology (kidney diseases in children),
pediatric hematology-oncology (blood diseases and cancer in children) and others. |
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
An area concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and disabilities of the neuromuscular system. A physician in this
specialty (called a physiatrist) uses the physical elements such as heat, cold, water, electricity and exercise to help restore
physical function and independence. |
Plastic Surgery
A surgical subspecialty concerned with the correction of the loss of or deformity to tissues including skin.
|
Psychiatry
Involves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illnesses and emotional problems. Psychiatrists are trained to
distinguish between physical and psychological causes of mental and physical distress. They make sure that a physical problem is
not causing a depression or some emotional problem and likewise that a mental illness is not worsening a physical problem. |
Radiology
The specialty in which X-rays are used for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. There are several subspecialties within this
field including diagnostic radiology and therapeutic radiology. |
Sports Medicine
The specialty area of medicine involved with surgery and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries.
|
Surgery
The branch of medicine that involves the treatment of disease, injury or deformity by means of surgical operations.
|
Thoracic Surgery
A surgical subspecialty concerned with the treatment of chest and lungs. |
Urology
A medical field concerned with the treatment of the female urinary tract and the male urinary and genital tracts. |
Job Outlook
Primary care physicians are especially in demand. These doctors are family practitioners, internists,
pediatricians, obstetricians or gynecologists. Doctors in all areas are needed, particularly in urban and rural
areas.
Educational Requirements
Preparing for a career as a physician consists of three phases: college, medical school and residency training in a
hospital. Most medical schools require a bachelor's degree for admission. All medical schools require another four
years of study. Although you will receive your M.D. upon graduation from medical school, in most states, you cannot
obtain a license to practice medicine until you have also completed at least one year of hospital training as a
resident. Most graduates remain in hospitals for additional training as a resident in such medical specialties as
pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery or family practice.
Depending on the specialty, this training can take from three to eight years after the medical degree is awarded.
The following page lists 24 medical specialties, years of study for each discipline, and identifies the
corresponding medical specialty society. To prepare yourself, take courses most colleges require for admission:
English, biology, chemistry, physics, math, history, economics, etc. Any accredited college or university can
prepare you for medical school. It helps if the school has a premedical advisory program.
Educational Programs - Illinois
Medical Specialties
Listed below are 24 medical specialties, the years of study and the corresponding medical specialty society. The
"Years of Study" refers to the most basic level of achievement. Depending on the specialty, these years may include
Preliminary Training, Specialty Residency Training, and Practice Experience.
| Specialty |
Years of Study |
Specialty Society |
| Allergy & Immunology |
5 yrs. |
American Academy of Allergy and Immunology
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 272-6071
http://www.aaaai.org/
|
| Anesthesiology |
4 yrs. |
American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 825-5586
http://www.asahq.org/
|
| Colon & Rectal Surgery |
6 yrs. |
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 290-9184
http://www.fascrs.org
|
| Dermatology |
4 yrs. |
American Academy of Dermatology
Schaumburg, IL 60178
(847) 330-0230
http://www.aad.org/
|
| Emergency Medicine |
3 yrs. |
American College of Emergency Physicians
Dallas, TX 75261-9911
(214) 550-0911
http://www.acep.org/
|
| Family Practice |
3 yrs. |
American Academy of Family Physicians
Kansas City, MO 64114
(800) 274-2237
http://www.aafp.org/
|
| Internal Medicine |
3 yrs. |
American Society of Internal Medicine
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 835-2746
|
| Neurological Surgery |
8 yrs. |
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 692-9500
http://www.neurosurgery.org/
|
| Neurology |
4 yrs. |
American Academy of Neurology
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 623-8115
http://www.neurology.org/
|
| Nuclear Medicine |
4 yrs. |
The Society of Nuclear Medicine
Reston, VA 22090
(703) 708-9000
http://interactive.snm.org/
|
| Obstetrics & Gynecology |
6 yrs. |
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Washington, D.C. 20024
(202) 638-5577
http://www.acog.org/
|
| Ophthalmology |
4 yrs. |
American Academy of Ophthalmology
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 561-8500
|
| Orthopaedic Surgery |
7 yrs. |
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 823-7186
http://www.aaos.org/
|
| Otolaryngology |
5 yrs. |
American Academy of Otolaryngology
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-4444 |
| Pathology |
4 yrs. |
College of American Pathologists
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 446-8800
|
| Pediatrics |
3 yrs. |
American Academy of Pediatrics
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 228-5005
|
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation |
5 yrs. |
American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 464-9700
http://www.aapmr.org/
|
| Plastic Surgery |
7 yrs. |
American Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons, Inc.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 228-9900
|
| Preventive Medicine |
4 yrs. |
American College of Preventive Medicine
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 466-2044
|
| Psychiatry |
4 yrs. |
American Psychiatric Association
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 682-6000
http://www.psych.org/
|
| Radiology |
4 yrs. |
American College of Radiology
Reston, VA 22091
(800) 227-5463
http://www.acr.org/flash.html
|
| Surgery |
5 yrs. |
The American College of Surgeons
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 664-4050
http://www.facs.org/
|
| Thoracic Surgery |
7 yrs. |
Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-6610
http://www.ctsnet.org/
|
| Urology |
6-7 yrs. |
American Urological Association
1000 Corporate Boulevard
Linthicum, MD 21090
1-866-RING AUA
http://www.auanet.org/
http://www.urologyhealth.org
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