Medical Specialties and Career Development

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Introduction

Every individual aspiring to pursue a medical career must choose from a wide range of medical specialties. According to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) (2), the most common choices in the medical discipline are cardiology, neurology, dermatology, plastic surgery, pediatrics, gynecology/obstetrics, endocrinology, and orthopedic surgery (American Medical Association para. 4; ABMS para. 8). Nevertheless, I will examine the specialties of my choice.

Cardiology

This medical specialty deals with the diagnosis and cure of heart disorders (Commonwealth of Australia para. 5). An expert in this medical specialty is called a cardiologist (Department of health and aging para. 4). His/her roles involve examination of patients with suspected heart disorder by conducting a careful, extensive review of the patient’s condition history, coupled with a wholesome physical assessment (Matthews para. 4).

According to the Hallmark of Health (para. 5), cardiology deals with the care of patients suffering from heart disorders. For instance, pediatric cardiologists are concerned with heart disease afflicting infants, children, and teenagers. These professionals associate with grown-up cardiologists in matters about congenital heart disease.

Neurology

A neurologist deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders linked to the central nervous system (CNS-brain and spinal cord); the peripheral nerve system (PNS); autonomic nervous system (ANS); muscles and vascular system associated with nerves (Bwow 696; Gaebel Zielasek and Cleveland 37). The subspecialties of neurology are described in the proceeding paragraphs.

Firstly, clinical neurophysiology is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of CNS, PNS, and ANS disorders using electroencephalography (EEG), nerve conduction system (NCS), and electromyography (EMG) techniques (Holloway 243). Secondly, hospice and palliative medicine are concerned with prognosis and alleviation of suffering by patients afflicted with lethal disease (Department of Health para. 6). Thirdly, a neurodevelopmental disability is concerned with the diagnosis and management of chronic ailments targeting developing and mature neurological systems; including cerebral palsy, chronic behavioral syndrome, and mental retardation (Kelly and Feeney 344).

Moreover, neuromuscular medicine deals with diagnostics and management of neurons, muscles, or neuromuscular synapses (Healthcare Commission para. 6).

Pain medicine is concerned with the provision of consultation or quality primary care services for acute, chronic, or cancer pain patients. Sleep medicine involves the diagnosis and management of conditions that disrupt sleep or which relate to abnormalities in the wake-sleep pathway.

Gynecology and obstetrics

Obstetrician/gynecologist is equipped with the knowledge, skill, and expert ability in the surgical and medical aspect of the female reproductive organ (Greenwood and Williams 274). This specialty has five subdivisions.

First, gynecologic oncology entails detailed management and consultation services with regard to gynecologic carcinoma cases. Secondly, critical care medicine deals with patients with multi-dysfunctional disorder of the female reproductive organ (Thomas and Bracken 363). Thirdly, hospice and palliative medicine are concerned with the prevention and alleviation of pain associated with fatal conditions (Ojeda and Griffin 34). The fourth is maternal and fetal medicine involved in support and care for patients afflicted with pregnancy abnormalities. Finally, reproductive endocrinology/infertility is concerned with abnormalities arising from dysfunction in the reproductive endocrine and infertility (Tschanz 5).

Pediatrics

This specialty is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases afflicting infants, children, and the adolescent. Based on Pediatric Spring Specialties Match (PSSM), pediatrics subspecialties include pediatric cardiology, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric nephrology, and pediatric pulmonology (Laplane 68). Pediatric cardiology deals with the treatment of heart and circulatory illnesses of children (Medical News Today Para. 6).

Pediatric gastroenterology on the other hand is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses associated with the digestive system, including the liver and the pancreas, of infants, children, and adolescents (AAMC para. 4). Similarly, pediatric nephrology deals with the diagnosis and therapy of renal and urinary tract illnesses, and general hypertension (Pearson 42). Lastly, pediatric pulmonology is concerned with respiratory illnesses affecting teenagers, children, and infants.

Endocrinology

Endocrinology is a medical specialty which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders associated with the endocrine system (Moncrieff, Hopker, and Thomas 56). The endocrine system comprises special glands which produce hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers which regulate the functions of the body; including reproduction, growth and development, and metabolism.

An endocrinologist is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders related to the endocrine systems. They specialize in detecting and treating hormone imbalances and abnormalities (Nussey and Whitehead 63). Such events encompass diabetes, menopause, osteoporosis, thyroid diseases, hypo/hypersecretion of hormones, carcinoma of the endocrine gland, dwarfism, gigantism, abnormal blood pressure, and infertility.

Plastic surgery

This is a medical specialty that entails restoration or correction of specific body parts which may be defected as a result of burns, diseases, trauma cases, or even as a result birth defects. There are other practices that are associated with plastic surgery such as cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery entails changing an individual’s appearance through conduction of various operations such as rhinoplasty, liposuction, and facelifts (Crystal 1). Reconstructive plastic surgery is mainly undertaken to improve or collect a particular disfigurement that may limit an individual from living normally. Alternatively, reconstructive surgery can also be conducted to improve aanindividual’s appearance and hence his or her self esteem. Examples of reconstructive surgery undertaken include;

Laceration repair
Tumor removal
Breast reduction
Scar repair

Due to the broad nature of plastic surgery, the practice is subdivided into a number of practices. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) authorizes various plastic surgery practices such as burn surgery, cosmetic surgery, craniofacial surgery, and hand surgery, microsurgery which entails reconstruction of body tissues through grafting and pediatric. Pediatric plastic surgery is mainly conducted on children with medical issues such as cleft palate, craniofacial anomalies and cleft palate. Pain is one of the considerations with regard to plastic surgery

Orthopedic surgery

This is a medical specialty which is mainly concerned with various conditions associated with musculoskeletal system. According to the American Academy of Orthopedics Surgeons (AAOS) (1), orthopedics specialize in the detection, care or treatment of disorders associated with ligaments, joints, nerves and tendons. Treatment of orthopedic conditions can either entail surgical or nonsurgical practices. As a medical specialty, orthopedic surgery in the United States is composed of a number of subspecialties. Some of these include spine surgery, orthopedic trauma, elbow and shoulder surgery, spine surgery, orthroplasty or joint reconstruction, hand surgery and musculoskeletal oncology. However, these orthopedic specialties can also be undertaken by other specialists.

Dermatology

This is a specialization in medicine which mainly entails issues related with the skin such as skin diseases. It is considered to be a unique specialty due to the fact that it integrates both surgical and medical features. There are various specialties involved with dermatology. These include teledermatology, mohs surgery, cosmetic dermatology and immune-dermatology. They also conduct various therapies such as hair transplantation, hair removal, tattoo removal and cosmetic filler injections ( Freedberg 23).

Gynecology/Obstetrics

Additional training

Gynecologists and obstetricians are specialists who deal with women health. As a medical field, gynecologists and obstetricians focus on issues related to the female reproductive system. Despite the fact that gynecologists and obstetricians specialize in general health problems, they are also charged with treatment and care of more specific female problems. In order for one to be licensed as a gynecologist or obstetrician in the United States, one must have attained the required training requirements in relation to female health. In the United States, it is only the physicians who graduate from recognized medical schools who are licensed. Some of the additional training required relate to hormonal disorders, pelvic disorders, cervical and breast cancer.

Medical profession alliance with orthopedics and pediatrics

There are two main types of gynecologists and obstetricians these include Doctors of Medicine (MDs) and Doctor of Osteopathic (ODs). In their operation, these specialists utilize other treatment options such as surgery. In most cases, ODs mainly specialize in the treatment and care of musculoskeletal system. In order to be effective, they liaise with orthopedics. In addition, ODs are considered to be mainly invovelved with preventative medicine and the patient’s holistic care which makes them to liase with general pediatrics and other specialists such as general internal and family medicine specialists.

The core objective of the association with orthopedics is to enable them deal with musculoskeletal disorders such as pelvic disorders. On the other hand association with pediatrics is aimed at offering effective care to women during pregnancy and child birth.

Conditions, diseases and injuries diagnosed

There are numerous conditions, diseases and injuries which gynecologists and obstetricians may diagnose in the process of offering healthcare services. Some of these include abnormal uterine bleeding which may occur between a womans menstruation cycle, extended menstrual bleeding and dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Amenorrhea or missed period and adhesions are also some of the common conditions.

The various types of cancer which include cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer are the most common type of diseases diagnosed. Another type of disease which may be diagnosed is the Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which includes various fallopian tube, uterus and ovaries infections. In addition, gynecologists and obstetricians may also diagnose cervicitis which is inflation of the uterus’ neck. Other conditions include infertility, menorrhagia which is the excessive bleeding of the uterine, interstitial cystitis, ovarian cysts, polyps, hypo-function and tumors.

Additional information and comments obtained

In an effort to gain more knowledge on the female reproductive system, a telephone interview of a gynecologist was conducted. Some of the issues of concern entail nutritional supplements, medications and medical equipments used.

Nutritional supplements

Upon enquiring on the effects of nutritional supplements especially during the pregnancy period, the gynecologist was of the opinion that there are possible benefits and risk. However, more emphasis was on the role of vitamins and various minerals during pregnancy. He asserted that supplementation of minerals such as zinc, copper, iron and iodine is vital in instances of deficiency. The gynecologist was of the opinion that diets in developed countries contain sufficient vitamins and hence does not require to be supplemented. However, developing countries experience a shortage of vitamins and hence it is advisable to add micronutrients.

Medical equipments

Considering the fact that gynecology entails a wide range of practices, it is important for various medical equipments to be purchased such as equipments which are used for conducting regular examination. In addition, equipments which are reusable should be sterilized and kept clean so as to prevent transmission of diseases.

Medication

According to the respondents, all the parties involved in administration of gynecological services should be trained on safe prescription, use and monitoring of the patient’s prescription. This will play a vital role in ensuring the patients’ safety. It is advisable for team based approach to be used in the process of medication to prevent occurrence of errors.

References

AAMC. Tomorrow’s doctors, tomorrow’ cures. 2010.

American Academy of Orthopedics Surgeons. Career in orthopedics’. 2007. 17.

ABMS. ABMS Guide to Physician Specialties. 2011. Web.

American Medical Association. Choosing your medical specialty. 2008. Web.

Bwow, Martin. The integration of neurology, psychiatry, and neuroscience in the 21^stcentury. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 159.5(2002):695-704.

Commonwealth of Australia. Improving access to GP and primary health care to keep people healthy in the community. 2010. Web.

Crystal, Garry. What is plastic surgery? Niki Foster. 2010. Web.

Department of Health. Standards for Better Health. Department of Health, 2004. Web.

Department of health and ageing. Better access to psychiatrists, psychologist and general practitioners through the MBS (better access) initiative. 2010. Web.

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Laplane, Robert. French paediatrics. In Nichols, Burford L. et al. (eds). History of Pediatrics 1850–1950. New York, NY: Raven Press, 1991. Print.

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Moncrieff, Joel, Hopker, Stephen and Thomas, Philip. Psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry: who pays the piper? A perspective from the Critical Psychiatry Network. The Psychiatrist, 29.3(2005): 84 – 85.

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Nussey, Stepehn and Whitehead, Saffron. Endocrinology: An Integrated Approach. Oxford: Bios Scientific Publication, 2001. Print.

Ojeda, Sergio and Griffin, James. Textbook of endocrine physiology (4th ed.). Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print.

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