Types of MD Doctors
The education required to become a medical doctor is stringent, usually taking more than a decade to complete. After earning a bachelors degree, medical doctor candidates begin years of schooling. Once medical school has been completed, intensive on-the-job training commences in the form of a residency at a teaching health care facility. Depending on what field of medicine an intern wants to specialize in, a residency can last from 3 to 8 years.
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Pediatricians
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Pediatricians specialize in managing the care of children from infancy through the teenage years. Many are generalists, and perform annual physicals to identify developmental problems, treat illnesses and provide other preventative services such as immunizations. If a child has a medical condition beyond the pediatrician's expertise, he might refer the patient to a pediatric specialist for further care and evaluation.
Sports Medicine
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Sports medicine doctors specialize in treating athletics-related injuries. These can range from sprains and muscle bruises to torn ligaments and broken bones. A sports doctor's goal is to return the injured athlete back to good health as quickly as possible, so they can return to competition. Some doctors in the sports medicine field also work to design more effective sporting equipment or develop better sporting guidelines to prevent injuries.
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Ophthalmologists
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Ophthalmologists specialize in treating diseases of the eyes. They might perform Lasik corrective surgery, cataract removal or other procedures designed to improve vision. They can also prescribe medicines or other treatments for eye diseases. Ophthalmologists go through the same rigorous training that other medical doctors do, unlike optometrists who are limited to testing vision and providing non-medical treatments such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Anesthesiologists
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Anesthesiologists specialize in pain management. Though these doctors are usually associated with administering anesthesia to surgical patients, they likewise work with patients needing pain relief from chronic conditions. Anesthesiologists must carefully monitor patients before, during and after surgery to ensure that patients are receiving enough medication to prevent them from feeling pain, but not so much that they experience organ or respiratory failure.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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Obstetricians and gynecologists are trained in women's health. An obstetrician cares for the special needs of pregnant women or women trying to achieve fertility. Gynecologists provide more generalized female care, such as Pap smears, hormone therapy, and the treatment of vaginal infections. Physicians who do both are referred to as OB/GYNs. In addition to monitoring pregnancy, labor and delivery, OB/GYNs provide post-partum treatment for mothers.
Family Physician
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Family physicians are general doctors who serve as a first medical contact for individuals and families. Care provided includes annual physicals, preventative care, and diagnosis and treatment of a variety of medical problems. If a condition is life-threatening or outside the expertise of a family physician, the patient is typically referred to a specialist.
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