Specialists
Which specialist treats what
by Joe Miller
A specialist is a doctor who trained for years more in one part of the body or one kind of care. Here is who does what, and how to get to the right one.
Watch: the narrated video (4 minutes)
Education, not medical advice. This site explains how medicine works in plain English. It does not diagnose or treat anyone. Talk with your own doctor about your health, and call 911 for an emergency.
The body map
All the specialties
"IM 3 + 3" means a 3-year internal medicine residency, then a 3-year fellowship. A plain number is the residency length in years.
| Specialty | Focus | When you might see one | Training after med school (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiology | Heart and blood vessels | Chest pain, high blood pressure that won't come down, irregular heartbeat, heart failure | IM 3 + 3 |
| Pulmonology | Lungs and breathing | Asthma or COPD that isn't controlled, sleep apnea, lung nodules | IM 3 + 2 to 3 |
| Gastroenterology (GI) | Stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas | Colonoscopy, heartburn that won't quit, bleeding, liver disease | IM 3 + 3 |
| Nephrology | Kidneys | Kidney disease, dialysis, hard-to-treat blood pressure | IM 3 + 2 |
| Endocrinology | Hormones: diabetes, thyroid, adrenal, pituitary | Hard-to-control diabetes, thyroid nodules, osteoporosis | IM 3 + 2 |
| Rheumatology | Joints and autoimmune disease | Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, unexplained joint swelling | IM 3 + 2 |
| Hematology-Oncology | Blood disorders and cancer | Anemia that won't improve, clotting problems, any cancer treatment | IM 3 + 3 |
| Infectious disease | Hard infections | HIV, bone infections, travel illness, resistant germs | IM 3 + 2 |
| Allergy and immunology | Allergies and the immune system | Food or drug allergies, allergy shots, immune deficiency | IM or Peds 3 + 2 |
| Neurology | Brain, spine and nerves | Seizures, migraines, stroke follow-up, Parkinson's, numbness | 4 |
| Psychiatry | Mental health | Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD; can prescribe medicine | 4 |
| Dermatology | Skin, hair and nails | Changing moles, skin cancer checks, acne, psoriasis | 4 |
| Ophthalmology | Eyes (medical and surgical) | Cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye exams, eye injuries | 4 |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | Ear, nose, throat, head and neck | Chronic sinus or ear infections, hearing loss, tonsils | 5 |
| Urology | Kidneys, bladder, prostate, male reproductive | Kidney stones, blood in urine, prostate problems | 5 |
| OB/GYN | Pregnancy, birth, female reproductive health | Prenatal care, heavy periods, menopause | 4 |
| Orthopedic surgery | Bones, joints, muscles, tendons | Fractures, torn ligaments, joint replacement | 5 |
| General surgery | Belly, hernias, gallbladder, appendix, breast | Appendicitis, gallstones, hernia repair | 5 |
| Neurosurgery | Surgery on the brain and spine | Brain tumors, serious spine problems, head injuries | 7 |
| Plastic surgery | Reconstruction and cosmetic surgery | Complex wounds, burns, cleft lip, breast reconstruction | 6 |
| Emergency medicine | Anything, any time | The ER doctor: stabilizes, diagnoses, and treats or admits | 3 to 4 |
| Anesthesiology | Pain control and safety during surgery | Puts you to sleep or numbs you, and watches your vital signs | 4 |
| Radiology | Reading X-rays, CT, MRI and ultrasound | You rarely meet them, but they read every scan | 5 |
| Pathology | Lab tests and tissue under the microscope | Confirms cancer and other diagnoses from biopsies | 4 |
| Physical medicine and rehab (PM&R) | Recovery of function | After stroke, spinal injury, amputation; back pain | 4 |
| Sports medicine | Injuries from activity | Sprains, overuse injuries, concussion; non-surgical | Primary care 3 + 1 |
Medicine or surgery?
Most specialties come in pairs: a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats with medicine, and a surgical one who operates. A cardiologist treats heart disease and may place stents through a catheter; a cardiothoracic surgeon does open-heart bypass. A gastroenterologist does colonoscopies; a colorectal surgeon removes part of the colon. You usually see the medical specialist first.
Getting a referral
- Start with your primary care doctor. They can often fix the problem, and they know which specialist fits.
- Check your insurance. HMO plans usually require a referral; PPO plans often don't, but check.
- Ask for a name and a reason. "Why this specialist? What question should they answer?"
- Send records ahead. Ask that recent tests and notes go to the specialist before your visit.
- Close the loop. Make sure the specialist's report goes back to your primary care doctor.
Your first specialist visit
- Bring your medicine list, recent test results, and a one-page timeline of the problem.
- Write down your top three questions.
- Ask: "What is the plan, and who do I call if it gets worse?"
- For a big decision, like surgery or cancer treatment, a second opinion is normal, and most doctors welcome it.
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Sources
Checked November 11, 2026.