doctor specialization list :: Article CreatorHow To Become A Doctor: Breaking Down The Basic Steps
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Medical doctors, also called physicians, help people improve and maintain their health. The medical field offers many specializations for physicians; depending on your interests, you could become a pediatrician, a surgeon, an emergency medicine physician, an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN), or a radiologist, among many other options.
Doctors need extensive education and training to qualify for licensure, which is required to practice in every state. Although it typically takes more than a decade to become a doctor, the investment can pay off.
Knowing that you're saving lives and helping people improve their health on a daily basis can feel rewarding and provide you with a sense of purpose. Doctors also earn excellent compensation; in fact, they're some of the best-paid workers in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS reports that physicians and surgeons make up 16 of the 20 highest-paying jobs.
Explore how to become a doctor, and learn what to expect from this career, including specialty areas to consider, overall job outlook and salary expectations.
What Is a Doctor?
A doctor is a highly skilled and educated medical professional who helps patients improve their overall health. Some doctors don't work directly with patients, instead focusing on public policy or research.
Most doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, but their knowledge, skills and day-to-day activities vary considerably depending on their specialty area. Below, we list some typical daily responsibilities for physicians:
Conduct patient exams Input medical information into patient charts Order diagnostic tests for patients and make referrals to other physicians Create treatment plans for patients Patient education regarding topics like nutrition and lifestyle changes to improve health Work Environment
Doctors usually work in clinical settings like hospitals and physicians' offices, for either a healthcare organization or a group practice. They also work in non-clinical environments, like nonprofit organizations, government offices and insurance agencies.
Common Challenges
The knowledge that you're making a good living while saving lives can be very rewarding. However, the medical field also comes with potential struggles, many of which were exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Below, we list some common challenges facing doctors:
High levels of stress Burnout Poor work-life balance Healthcare staff shortages Too much paperwork and time spent working on electronic health records Problems getting properly reimbursed by insurance companies How To Become a Doctor
Learn how to become a doctor with our step-by-step guide.
Earn a Bachelor's Degree
The first step to becoming a doctor is earning a bachelor's degree, which usually takes full-time students four years. As long as you complete medical school prerequisites, your specific major doesn't matter. However, applicants often hold undergraduate degrees in subjects relevant to medicine, such as a bachelor's in biology.
Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
After you graduate with a bachelor's, you must take the MCAT, which is required for application to almost any medical school in the United States. This standardized exam assesses critical thinking and problem-solving skills and tests your knowledge of science and other medical school prerequisite subjects.
Students who got into med school for the 2022-23 school year earned a mean MCAT score of 511.9, as reported by the Association for American Medical Colleges. Aim for this score to increase your chances of acceptance.
Earn a Medical Degree
Medical school typically lasts four years and focuses on general medicine. Two kinds of degrees qualify you to become a doctor: a doctor of medicine (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree. Both degrees prepare future doctors to practice and train in the United States.
For the first part of med school, students learn in classroom settings and labs, taking courses like anatomy, medical ethics and pharmacology. Medical school also includes hands-on, supervised training in clinics and hospitals. Students complete rotations in areas like pediatrics and internal medicine and learn to diagnose and treat patients.
Complete Residency Training
After you earn your medical degree, you must complete residency training in your chosen specialty. Look for a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education if you plan to apply for board certification.
Depending on your specialty and where you complete your residency, this step can take three to nine years in total. For example, internal medicine and pediatrics residencies generally take three years, while general surgery and radiation oncology residencies last about five years.
If you plan to become board-certified in your specialty, your residency training may take up to nine years to complete.
Consider Subspecialty Fellowship Training
If you want to practice in a subspecialty of medicine, like infectious diseases, you can consider additional subspecialty fellowship training. This typically adds another one to three years to your timeline for becoming a doctor.
Apply for Licensure
Physicians need a license to practice in every U.S. State, but specific requirements vary. In general, you must graduate from an accredited medical school and complete residency training in your specialty to qualify for licensure. You'll also need to pass one of the following national exams:
U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) for MDs Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) for DOs To find out specific licensing requirements, contact your state medical board.
Obtain Certification
Doctors can earn board certification in their specialty to demonstrate advanced expertise. Although not a legal requirement to practice, board certification is considered the gold standard in medicine, and some hospitals only hire board-certified doctors.
To qualify for certification, you must complete residency training at an accredited program, pass a specialty certification exam and meet any other prerequisites specified by the board offering the certification.
Boards that offer physician certification include the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association and the American Board of Physician Specialties.
Doctor Salary and Job Outlook
Demand for doctors will likely remain steady in the U.S. In coming years. The BLS projects a 3% growth in employment (about as fast as average) for physicians and surgeons between 2022 and 2032.
Factors impacting a doctor's salary may include years of experience, employer and geographic location. Salaries for doctors also vary significantly by specialty. Overall, the BLS reports that physicians and surgeons earn a median annual salary of $229,300.
On the lower end, general pediatricians earn a median salary of $190,350, and family medicine physicians $211,300. On the other hand, some specialties make around twice these salaries.
In May 2022, the top-paid specialties were as follows, ordered by mean annual salary according to the BLS:
Cardiologists ($421,330) Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric ($371,400) Pediatric surgeons ($362,970) Surgeons, all other ($347,870) Radiologists ($329,080) Doctor Specializations
In the U.S., doctors can choose from more than 160 specialties and subspecialties, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. The list below includes a sampling of medical specializations that doctors can pursue. Many of these specializations include subspecialties that require further training. For example, anesthesiology subspecialties include adult cardiac anesthesiology, neurocritical care, pediatric anesthesiology and pain medicine.
Anesthesiology Dermatology Diagnostic radiology Emergency medicine General surgery Internal medicine Neurology Obstetrics and gynecology Ophthalmology Orthopedic surgery Pathology Pediatrics Plastic surgery Psychiatry Urology Certifications for Doctors
There are dozens of certifications from various certifying boards available to demonstrate doctors' expertise in a specialty or subspecialty. You can earn more than one certification if you meet the requirements. Below, we describe the process of earning board certification in emergency medicine to give you an idea of what it takes to become a board-certified physician.
Board Certification in Emergency Medicine
The American Board of Emergency Medicine offers certification for physicians who specialize in emergency medicine. Certification requirements include completion of an accredited or approved emergency medicine residency and a valid medical license. The application fee is $420. To receive certification you must pass two tests: the qualifying exam and the oral exam.
The qualifying exam is a written test that assesses medical knowledge and diagnostic reasoning. The 305-question, multiple-choice test takes place one week during the fall each year. The oral exam tests emergency medicine knowledge and assesses skills that cannot be measured by a multiple-choice test, such as patient communication. Its questions draw from real clinical scenarios.
You can apply for initial certification in your last year of residency and take the qualifying exam the November after you graduate. If you apply while still in residency, you do not need to hold a medical license prior to applying for certification. If you pass the qualifying exam, you will take the oral exam the following year.
Professional Organizations for Doctors
We explore some professional organizations for doctors below. This list is just a small sampling of groups you can consider joining when you become a doctor.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): AAP represents 67,000 pediatricians in the United States. The organization aims to improve the health of infants, children and young adults by participating in policy work, setting professional standards and conducting relevant research.
American Board of Medical Specialties: ABMS sets professional standards, creates policies and offers certifications for medical specialties in the United States. Physicians can pursue board certification in 40 specialties and 89 subspecialties through ABMS.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): The main professional group for obstetricians and gynecologists in the U.S., ACOG develops practice guidelines, offers career support and works to improve women's health.
American Medical Association (AMA): The preeminent professional organization for medical doctors in the U.S., AMA represents physicians from 190 specialty and state medical societies. The organization conducts legislative work, provides training and strives to improve patient care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Become a Doctor How many years of college is it to become a doctor?
It depends on your specialty, but it typically takes 11 to 17 years to become a doctor. This includes a four-year bachelor's degree, four years of medical school, and three to nine years of internship and residency experience. In addition, doctors who opt for a subspecialty often complete another one to three years of fellowship training.
What is the fastest way to become a doctor?
The fastest way to become a doctor is to choose a school that offers an accelerated or combined undergraduate and medical school program. You might be able to graduate with your medical degree in as little as six years through this route. You can also shave off time during your internship and residency by choosing a less time-intensive specialty and forgoing a subspecialty fellowship.
Do doctors get paid during residency?
Yes, doctors get paid during residency. However, your salary will be much lower in this training period than it will be after you complete your medical education. AMA reports that the average first-year resident physician earns about $60,000 annually.
What Are The Different Types Of Doctors?
You may call them simply doctors. But most doctors have extra expertise in one type of medicine or another. In fact, there are several hundred medical specialties and subspecialties. Here are the most common types of doctors you'll likely see.
Allergists/ImmunologistsThey treat immune system disorders such as asthma, eczema, food allergies, insect sting allergies, and some autoimmune diseases.
AnesthesiologistsThese doctors give you drugs to numb your pain or to put you under during surgery, childbirth, or other procedures. They monitor your vital signs while you're under anesthesia.
CardiologistsThey're experts on the heart and blood vessels. You might see them for heart failure, a heart attack, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat.
Colon and Rectal SurgeonsYou would see these doctors for problems with your small intestine, colon, and bottom. They can treat colon cancer, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Critical Care Medicine SpecialistsThey care for people who are critically ill or injured, often heading intensive care units in hospitals. You might see them if your heart or other organs are failing or if you've been in an accident.
DermatologistsHave problems with your skin, hair, nails? Do you have moles, scars, acne, or skin allergies? Dermatologists can help.
EndocrinologistsThese are experts on hormones and metabolism. They can treat conditions like diabetes, thyroid problems, infertility, and calcium and bone disorders.
Emergency Medicine SpecialistsThese doctors make life-or-death decisions for sick and injured people, usually in an emergency room. Their job is to save lives and to avoid or lower the chances of disability.
Family PhysiciansThey care for the whole family, including children, adults, and the elderly. They do routine checkups and screening tests, give you flu and immunization shots, and manage diabetes and other ongoing medical conditions.
GastroenterologistsThey're specialists in digestive organs, including the stomach, bowels, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. You might see them for abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, jaundice, or cancers in your digestive organs. They also do a colonoscopy and other tests for colon cancer.
Geriatric Medicine SpecialistsThese doctors care for the elderly. They can treat people in their homes, doctors' offices, nursing homes, assisted-living centers, and hospitals.
HematologistsThese are specialists in diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands, like sickle cell disease, anemia, hemophilia, and leukemia.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine SpecialistsThey work with people who are nearing death. They're experts in pain management. They work with a team of other doctors to keep up your quality of life.
Infectious Disease SpecialistsThey diagnose and treat infections in any part of your body, like fevers, Lyme disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and HIV and AIDS. Some of them specialize in preventive medicine or travel medicine.
InternistsThese primary-care doctors treat both common and complex illnesses, usually only in adults. You'll likely visit them or your family doctor first for any condition. Internists often have advanced training in a host of subspecialties, like heart disease, cancer, or adolescent or sleep medicine. With additional training (called a fellowship), internists can specialize in cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, pulmonology, and other medical sub-specialties.
Medical GeneticistsThey diagnose and treat hereditary disorders passed down from parents to children. These doctors may also offer genetic counseling and screening tests.
NephrologistsThey treat kidney diseases as well as high blood pressure and fluid and mineral imbalances linked to kidney disease.
NeurologistsThese are specialists in the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They treat strokes, brain and spinal tumors, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Obstetricians and GynecologistsOften called OB/GYNs, these doctors focus on women's health, including pregnancy and childbirth. They do Pap smears, pelvic exams, and pregnancy checkups. OB/GYNs are trained in both areas. But some of them may focus on women's reproductive health (gynecologists), and others specialize in caring for pregnant women (obstetricians).
OncologistsThese internists are cancer specialists. They do chemotherapy treatments and often work with radiation oncologists and surgeons to care for someone with cancer.
OphthalmologistsYou call them eye doctors. They can prescribe glasses or contact lenses and diagnose and treat diseases like glaucoma. Unlike optometrists, they're medical doctors who can treat every kind of eye condition as well as operate on the eyes.
Osteopaths Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) are fully licensed medical doctors just like MDs. Their training stresses a "whole body" approach. Osteopaths use the latest medical technology but also the body's natural ability to heal itself.
OtolaryngologistsThey treat diseases in the ears, nose, throat, sinuses, head, neck, and respiratory system. They also can do reconstructive and plastic surgery on your head and neck.
PathologistsThese lab doctors identify the causes of diseases by examining body tissues and fluids under microscopes.
PediatriciansThey care for children from birth to young adulthood. Some pediatricians specialize in pre-teens and teens, child abuse, or children's developmental issues.
PhysiatristsThese specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation treat neck or back pain and sports or spinal cord injuries as well as other disabilities caused by accidents or diseases.
Plastic SurgeonsYou might call them cosmetic surgeons. They rebuild or repair your skin, face, hands, breasts, or body. That can happen after an injury or disease or for cosmetic reasons.
PodiatristsThey care for problems in your ankles and feet. That can include injuries from accidents or sports or from ongoing health conditions like diabetes. Some podiatrists have advanced training in other subspecialties of the foot.
Preventive Medicine SpecialistsThey focus on keeping you well. They may work in public health or at hospitals. Some focus on treating people with addictions, illnesses from exposure to drugs, chemicals, and poisons, and other areas.
PsychiatristsThese doctors work with people with mental, emotional, or addictive disorders. They can diagnose and treat depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and sexual and gender identity issues. Some psychiatrists focus on children, adolescents, or the elderly.
PulmonologistsYou would see these specialists for problems like lung cancer, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, and trouble sleeping caused by breathing issues.
RadiologistsThey use X-rays, ultrasound, and other imaging tests to diagnose diseases. They can also specialize in radiation oncology to treat conditions like cancer.
RheumatologistsThey specialize in arthritis and other diseases in your joints, muscles, bones, and tendons. You might see them for your osteoporosis (weak bones), back pain, gout, tendinitis from sports or repetitive injuries, and fibromyalgia.
Sleep Medicine SpecialistsThey find and treat causes behind your poor sleep. They may have sleep labs or give you take-home tests to chart your sleep-wake patterns.
Sports Medicine SpecialistsThese doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries related to sports and exercise.
General SurgeonsThese doctors can operate on all parts of your body. They can take out tumors, appendices, or gallbladders and repair hernias. Many surgeons have subspecialties, like cancer, hand, or vascular surgery.
UrologistsThese are surgeons who care for men and women for problems in the urinary tract, like a leaky bladder. They also treat male infertility and do prostate exams.
What Is An Internist?
An internist is a doctor of internal medicine. Sometimes they're called internal medicine physicians. They are not interns.
These doctors specialize in the internal organs and systems of the body (hence the name), but they aren't limited to those areas. They can also give preventive care and treat many health problems, from a skin rash to diabetes and beyond. They only treat adults, and they don't perform surgery.
Internists are doctors who treat adults. They may have a specialty or be a generalist. (Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images)
Patients often have long relationships with their internists, since they help patients with so many different types of ailments. They often act as primary care doctors. As the American College of Physicians puts it, "Internal Medicine physicians see the big picture. Their deep training and knowledge of the entire human body and its organ systems give them a unique perspective of how everything works in unison. ... They are often called upon by other medical professionals for their ability to connect the dots and help solve problems."
When choosing a primary care doctor, you may opt for an internist or a family doctor. The biggest difference between the two is the age of the patients treated.
Internists specialize in treating adults (those over age 18, though some internists treat people over 16). Family physicians treat children as well as adults. Both can treat a wide spectrum of conditions and give preventative care. Internists have a great depth of knowledge about adult health issues. They may specialize in areas like psychiatry, dermatology, or orthopedics, to name a few. Family physicians have a broader base of knowledge since they're treating children as well as adults.
Internists also are more likely to give hospital care. Family doctors can treat patients at hospitals too, but they often refer cases like these to a specialist.
Internists specialize in diseases of the internal organs (like the heart, kidney, liver, and lungs) and systems (like your respiratory system and your digestive system). Most diseases have something to do with at least one of your organs or systems. And sometimes a disease may affect more than one organ. With an internist, you can get care for your whole body at one time.
Some internists are generalists while others specialize in one organ. For instance, they may be a heart specialist (cardiologist).
Internists often help to manage chronic illnesses. These are ongoing illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. They may provide women's health services (like a pelvic exam), mental health services, ear, and nose and throat care, and other health services.
Internists typically see people in their office. They'll take a patient history, order tests, diagnose what's wrong with you, refer you to a specialist if needed, and design a plan of treatment.
To be an internist, you first need to have a four-year undergraduate degree. Next, you'll need to complete:
Medical school, usually taking four years A three-year residency in internal medicine You'll then need to pass an exam to become certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
If you choose a specialty, you'll need one to four more years of education. Areas of specialization for internists include:
Adolescent medicine (teens and young adults) Allergy and immunology (immune system) Cardiology (heart) Critical care medicine (caring for patients in intensive care) Endocrinology (diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine glands) Gastroenterology (digestive tract, liver, gallbladder) Geriatric medicine (older adults) Hematology (blood) Hospice and palliative care Infectious disease (infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) Nephrology (kidneys) Neurology (diseases of the nervous system, like the brain and spinal cord) Oncology (cancer) Psychiatry (mental conditions) Pulmonology (lungs) Rheumatology (joints and musculoskeletal system) Sleep medicine Sports medicine Most internists with a specialty are referred to by their area of focus. For instance, they may be called cardiologists, oncologists, or hematologists. But they all start out as internists.
Some internists only see hospital patients. They are called hospitalists. Others may work in different care settings, such as rehabilitation facilities or centers for hospice care. Some go into research, and others choose to become administrators.
Here are some reasons you might see an internist:
Chronic disease care
Chronic diseases are ongoing diseases. These include conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and arthritis. An internist can monitor you to see that your disease doesn't get worse.
Preventive care
These are things your general internist or their staff does to prevent health problems or to diagnose them early on. They include:
Annual checkups to make sure your body and its organs are working correctly; sometimes referred to as a physical Vaccinations Ordering blood tests and urine tests to make sure you're not developing chronic diseases, or to check for pregnancy, STDs, and other conditions Recommending screenings for diseases like breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer Mental health care
Specialized internists called psychiatrists can treat problems like depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and dementia. They can also treat substance abuse problems.
Infections and allergies
Allergists take care of problems like allergic rhinitis (hay fever), sinusitis, asthma, and bad reactions to foods, drugs, vaccines, and stinging insects. Internists treat infectious diseases as part of their practice, but they may also specialize in this area, helping to diagnose unknown infections or assist in managing complicated ones.
Pain management
Pain can have a variety of causes. It could be from something relatively minor, such as a muscle strain or a stomach virus. Or it could be something serious such as acute appendicitis or cancer. You might also have chronic pain from arthritis. An internist should be able to diagnose your problem and provide relief.
Internists are trained to treat most health conditions, but they may refer you to the right expert if needed.
Although what happens at your visit may vary depending on your reason for going, you can probably expect these steps in care:
The internist will check your vital signs. They'll go over your medical history and your list of medications. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and your general state of health. They will usually give you a physical exam to get a complete picture of your health.
As part of your physical exam, your internist typically will:
Look at your general appearance, including your posture and how you move Listen to your heart, checking for a heart murmur, irregular heartbeat, or other unusual sounds Listen to your breathing, checking for crackles, wheezing, or shortness of breath Look at your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat Check your skin and nails For wellness checks, the doctor may order screening tests such as a lipid panel or bone density test. For specific problems, the doctor will order the appropriate test, whether it be a simple urinalysis or something more complex, like an imaging test. You may be asked to come back for a follow-up visit, or your doctor may advise that you see a different specialist.
If you see other specialists, your internist may consult with your other doctors, coordinate your care, and check for medication interactions. The best internists are proactive and may counsel you on lifestyle changes and steps to take to avoid problems in the future. They'll also check for mental health problems such as depression.
First off, make a list of what's important to you in a doctor. Besides how they treat a patient, you might want someone who's near your home or office, who went to a particular medical school, or is affiliated with a particular hospital. Remember, this may turn into a long-term partnership, so take your time to think this through. Once you've figured out your requirements, you should:
Ask for referrals. Your friends, co-workers, and relatives are great people to ask about finding a good internist. Some people ask for recommendations on social media like Facebook or Nextdoor.Com as well. Check with your insurance company. See if the doctors suggested are covered before you invest too much time in checking them out. Your insurance website may also tell you if they're accepting new patients, though sometimes that info is out of date. From your list of internists covered by insurance, check things like hospital affiliation, board certification, hours of operation, areas of specialization, and other data important to you. These are usually on the doctors' websites. So far, so good. But what is your potential internist like as person? You can look at reviews on health rating sites like Vitals and Healthgrades or even on Google or Yelp to get an idea. But don't go completely off these reviews. Like many other rating services, they can be misleading, since the people who tend to leave reviews either think the service was exceptional (5 stars) or exceptionally bad (1 star). Not so much in the middle. Narrow your list down to about three doctors and call their offices. You can ask questions like, Is the doctor taking new patients? How long does it take to get an appointment? What is the cancellation policy? You can tell a lot just by how long it takes for someone to answer the phone and how they answer these questions. Once you've decided on an internist, book the appointment by phone or online. After your first visit, ask yourself some questions, like: "Did the doctor and staff make me feel comfortable? Did they spend enough time with me or was it rushed? Did I understand what the doctor was saying to me? Did they listen to me and give me a chance to ask questions?" If the answer to most of these questions was "no," you may want to keep shopping. If it was "yes," congratulations! You have a great new internist. Internists are doctors that specialize in internal organs and systems. They often act as primary care doctors for adults. Internists may be generalists or specialists such as cardiologists and dermatologists. To find a good internist, ask friends, co-workers or relatives for recommendations and check with your insurance to see if they're on your plan.
What is the difference between a doctor and an internist?
An internist is a type of doctor, also known as a doctor of internal medicine. Internal medicine refers to the internal organs in the body, like the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
What parts of the body does an internist treat?
A general internist will treat all parts of the body. A specialist internist will have training on treating the whole body but their specialized training will be on one body part. For instance, a nephrologist is an internist who specializes in treating the kidneys.
Should older people see an internist?
Sure. An older person can see a general internist or look for one who specializes in geriatric medicine. Geriatricians have special training in physical and mental changes associated with aging.
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