Interesting Facts

Ten Great Public Health Achievements
United States,1900-1999.

Vaccination

Motor-vehicle safety

Safer workplaces

Control of infectious diseases

Decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke

Safer and healthier foods

Healthier mothers and babies

Family planning

Fluoridation of drinking water

Recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard

Source:The centers for disease control and prevention

More Interesting facts-Specialists

Primary-care physicians (except GPs) are, in effect, specialists. But since the science of medicine has become so complex, many doctors specialize even further. Common specialists are briefly described below.

Specialists in medicine can range from the broad – for example, an obstetrician, who provides care during pregnancy and delivers babies – to the very narrow, such as a gynecological oncologist, who treats cancers of the female reproductive system. When you have a specific problem or condition that your primary-care physician is not equipped to handle, a specialist's experience and knowledge in that area can be invaluable.

How do you know if you need a specialist? The best way is to ask your primary-car physician. If he or she says that you have a particular medical problem, ask if anyone specializes in that area and if you would benefit from a consultation. Many health care plans require that you get prior authorization before consulting a specialist.
How narrowly focused the specialist should be depends on the nature of your problem. It's important to remember that many insurance companies will not completely cover the cost of visits to very specialized physicians.

If you've determined that you need to see a specialist, remember that any doctor can legally use the title specialist without completing any official training or gaining certification from the American Board of Medical Specialists. (Certification guarantees minimum competence and shows that the physician has had the requisite training.) Therefore, you should ask for a referral from your primary-care physician.

Other good sources include local hospitals and professional organizations such as the American College of Surgeons. The reference department of a local public library or the library of a large hospital or medical school should have a copy of either the AMA Directory of Physicians (which lists all licensed doctors and indicated if they are board-certified) or the Marquis Directory of Medical Specialists (which lists only board-certified physicians).

This information is part of The Wellness Self-Care Handbook, The everyday guide to prevention and home remedies. Copyright 1998 by Health Letter Associates. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reference information has been formally requested of Health Letter Associates, 632 Broadway, New York, NE 10012.

A Glossary of Specialists
The following are some of the most common types of medical specialists.

Anesthesiologist.
Decides which type of anesthesia will be used during surgery, administers it, and monitors its effects after surgery.

Cardiologist.
Specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities of the heart and the blood vessels.

Dermatologist.
Diagnoses and treats disorders of the skin.

Emergency medicine physician.
Deals with a broad range of problems, including life-threatening condition, that require immediate medical treatment.

Gastroenterologist.
Diagnoses and treats disorders of the digestive system and liver.

Geneticist.
Specialized in diagnosing and predicting inherited disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, some forms of mental retardation, and many metabolic disorders.

Hematologist.
Diagnoses and treats disorders of the blood and blood-forming organs.
Infectious disease specialist. Diagnoses and treats disorders caused by microorganisms.

Neurologist.
Diagnoses and treats disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Neurosurgeon.
Operates on disorders of the brain and the blood vessels that supply the brain, the spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves.

Obstetrician/gynecologist.
Specializes in the health of the reproductive systems of women. A gynecologist can treat diseases of the reproductive organs with or without surgery. An obstetrician specializes in the treatment of pregnant women and delivering babies.

Oncologist.
Diagnoses and treats cancer. Many oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer.

Orthopedist.
Treats injuries to any part of the musculoskeletal system; some specialize in athletic injuries.

Otorhinolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat, or ENT).
Specializes in medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the head and neck (but excluding the brain, eyes, and spinal cord).

Physical therapist.
Administers techniques to enhance recovery, from massage to rehabilitative exercises. A therapist typically has a degree in physical therapy and is licensed by the state as a registered physical therapist (RPT). Seeing a therapist requires a doctors referral in most states.

Podiatrist.
Deals with foot and foot-related problems, which are among the most common sports-related injuries. Though not MDs, podiatrists receive special training and are licensed by the state.

Psychiatrist.
Treats mental illnesses and emotional and behavioral problems. Psychiatrists often use psychotherapy in helping patients, but as medical doctors they are also able to prescribe medications.

Radiologist.
A diagnostic radiologist uses imaging techniques such as x-rays and ultra-sound radiation to diagnose medical problems. Interventional radiologists use imaging techniques to perform invasive procedures (for example, lung biopsies).

Radiation therapist.
Skilled in the application of radiation for the treatment of pathologies, usually certain forms of cancer.

Rheumatologist.
Diagnoses and treats non-surgical disorders of the musculoskeletal system (such as arthritis and rheumatism) and auto-immune diseases.

Surgeon.
Specializes in the diagnosis and the surgical treatment of a wide range of diseases. A general surgeon may choose to specialize further, choosing, for example, to be a thoracic and cardiovascular, pediatric, colon and rectal, or plastic surgeon.

Urologist.
Diagnoses and treats (with medications or surgical procedures) disorders of the urinary tract and, in men, problems in the reproductive system.