In this table, as in many healthcare arenas, medical specialties are organized into the following groups:
| Specialty |
Code |
Group |
Subspecialties |
Focus |
Salary (USD)[1] |
| Anesthesia Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , has traditionally meant the condition of having sensation (including the feeling of pain) blocked or temporarily taken away. It is a pharmacologically induced reversible state of amnesia, analgesia, loss of responsiveness, loss of skeletal muscle reflexes and/or decreased stress response. This allows patients to |
AN, PAN |
Surgery[2] |
Pediatrics, Pain management Pain management is that branch of medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach to easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain. The typical pain management team includes medical practitioners, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and nurse practitioners. Pain sometimes resolves, Intensive Care Intensive care medicine or critical care medicine is a branch of medicine concerned with the provision of life support or organ support systems in patients who are critically ill and who usually require intensive monitoring, Critical Care, Ob/gyn, Cardiothoracic anesthesiology Cardiothoracic anesthesiology is a subspeciality of the medical practice of anesthesiology devoted to the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of adult patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery and related invasive procedures. It is one of the most interesting and challenging careers in anesthesiology.[citation needed], Trauma Care, Pre and Post Operative Assessment and Care, Generalist (covers all the sub-specialities) |
Anesthesia Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , has traditionally meant the condition of having sensation (including the feeling of pain) blocked or temporarily taken away. It is a pharmacologically induced reversible state of amnesia, analgesia, loss of responsiveness, loss of skeletal muscle reflexes and/or decreased stress response. This allows patients to: Airway management in emergent and elective surgical procedures, keep patients stable during the controlled trauma of surgery, expertise of the application of pharmacology and physiology to dull sensation or awareness |
344,691 |
| Cardiology Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart. The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. Physicians specializing in this field of medicine are called cardiologists. Cardiologists should not be confused with |
|
Medicine |
|
Disease of the cardiovascular system The circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, etc. to and from cells in the body to help fight diseases and help stabilize body temperature and pH to maintain homeostasis. The field is commonly divided into subdisciplines dealing with congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. |
370,295 |
| Cardiovascular surgery Cardiac surgery is a surgery on the heart and/or great vessels performed by a cardiac surgeon. Frequently, it is done to treat complications of ischemic heart disease , correct congenital heart disease, or treat valvular heart disease created by various causes including endocarditis. It also includes heart transplantation |
|
Surgery |
|
The heart The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions. The term cardiac (as in cardiology) means "related to the heart" and comes from the Greek καρδιά, kardia, for "heart." and major blood vessels of the chest. |
460,000 |
| Clinical laboratory A medical laboratory or clinical laboratory is a laboratory where tests are done on clinical specimens in order to get information about the health of a patient as pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease sciences |
|
Diagnostic |
- Transfusion medicine 'Transfusion medicine is the branch of medicine that is concerned with the transfusion of blood and blood components. The blood bank is the section of the clinical laboratory where medical technologists process and distribute blood products under the supervision of a medical director, often certified in Pathology or Transfusion Medicine. The blood is concerned with the transfusion of blood and blood component, including the maintenance of a "blood bank A blood bank is a cache or bank of blood or blood components, gathered as a result of blood donation, stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusions".
- Cellular pathology Cytopathology is a branch of pathology that studies and diagnoses diseases on the cellular level. The discipline was founded by Rudolf Virchow in 1858. A common application of cytopathology is the Pap smear, used as a screening tool, to detect precancerous cervical lesions and prevent cervical cancer. It is generally used on samples of free cells is concerned with diagnosis using samples from patients taken as tissues and cells using histology Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining a thin slice (section) of tissue under a light microscope or electron microscope. The ability to visualize or differentially identify microscopic structures is frequently enhanced through the use of histological stains and cytology Cytopathology is a branch of pathology that studies and diagnoses diseases on the cellular level. The discipline was founded by Rudolf Virchow in 1858. A common application of cytopathology is the Pap smear, used as a screening tool, to detect precancerous cervical lesions and prevent cervical cancer. It is generally used on samples of free cells.
- Clinical chemistry Clinical chemistry is the area of pathology that is generally concerned with analysis of bodily fluids is concerned with diagnosis by making biochemical analysis of blood, body fluids and tissues.
- Hematology Hematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of internal medicine, physiology, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases. Hematology includes the study of etiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of blood diseases. The is concerned with diagnosis by looking at changes in the cellular composition of the blood Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells – such as nutrients and oxygen – and transports waste products away from those same cells and bone marrow Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the hollow interior of bones. In adults, marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. It constitutes 4% of total body weight, i.e. approximately 2.6 kg in adults as well as the coagulation system Coagulation is a complex process by which blood forms clots. It is an important part of hemostasis , wherein a damaged blood vessel wall is covered by a platelet and fibrin-containing clot to stop bleeding and begin repair of the damaged vessel. Disorders of coagulation can lead to an increased risk of bleeding (hemorrhage) or clotting (thrombosis) in the blood.
- Clinical microbiology Medical microbiology is both a branch of medicine and microbiology which deals with the study of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites which are of medical importance and are capable of causing diseases in human beings. It includes the study of microbial pathogenesis and epidemiology and is related to the study of disease is concerned with the in vitro A procedure performed in vitro is performed not in a living organism but in a controlled environment, such as in a test tube or Petri dish. Many experiments in cellular biology are conducted outside of organisms or cells; because the test conditions may not correspond to the conditions inside of the organism, this may lead to results that do not diagnosis of diseases caused by bacteria The bacteria ( [bækˈtɪəriə] ; singular: bacterium)[α] are a large group of single-celled, prokaryote microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals. Bacteria are ubiquitous in every habitat on Earth, growing in soil, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste,, viruses A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Most viruses are too small to be seen directly with a light microscope. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea. Since the initial discovery of tobacco mosaic virus by Martinus Beijerinck in 1898, about 5,, fungi A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. The Fungi (pronounced /ˈfʌndʒaɪ/ or /ˈfʌŋɡaɪ/) are classified as a kingdom that is separate from plants, animals and bacteria. One major difference is that fungal cells have cell, and parasites Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host.
- Clinical immunology Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. It deals with the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ; the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics is concerned with disorders of the immune system An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own healthy cells and tissues in order to function and related body defenses. It also deals with diagnosis of allergy Allergy is a disorder of the immune system which is a form of hypersensitivity. Allergic reactions occur to normally harmless environmental substances known as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid. Strictly, allergy is one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is called type I hypersensitivity. It is characterized by.
|
Application of diagnostic techniques in medical laboratories such as assays An assay is a procedure in molecular biology for testing or measuring the activity of a drug or biochemical in an organism or organic sample. A quantitative assay may also measure the amount of a substance in a sample. Bioassays and immunoassays are among the many varieties of specialized biochemical assays. Other assays measure processes such as, microscope A microscope is an instrument to see objects too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy. Microscopic means invisible to the eye unless aided by a microscope analysis. |
160,300 [3] |
| Clinical Neurophysiology In some countries it is a part of neurology or psychiatry, for example the United States and Germany. In others it is an autonomous speciality, such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden and Norway |
|
Diagnostic |
- Electroencephalography Electroencephalography is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp produced by the firing of neurons within the brain. In clinical contexts, EEG refers to the recording of the brain's spontaneous electrical activity over a short period of time, usually 20–40 minutes, as recorded from multiple electrodes placed on the scalp. In - EEG is concerned with testing the gross function of the brain.
- Electromyography Electromyography is a technique for evaluating and recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph, to produce a record called an electromyogram. An electromyograph detects the electrical potential generated by muscle cells when these cells are electrically or - EMG is concerned with testing the function of muscles and neuromuscular junctions.
- Evoked potential An evoked potential is an electrical potential recorded from the nervous system of a human or other animal following presentation of a stimulus, as distinct from spontaneous potentials as detected by electroencephalography (EEG) or electromyography (EMG) - An EP is concerned with testing the nerve pathways involved in both sensory and motor functions.
- Nerve conduction study A nerve conduction study is a test commonly used to evaluate the function, especially the ability of electrical conduction, of the motor and sensory nerves of the human body
- Polysomnography Polysomnography , also known as a sleep study, is a multi-parametric test used in the study of sleep and as a diagnostic tool in sleep medicine. The test result is called a polysomnogram, also abbreviated PSG. The name is derived from Greek and Latin roots: the Greek πολύς (polus for "many, much", indicating many channels), the / Sleep Study
|
The physiology or function of the central and peripheral nervous systems. These kinds of tests can be divided into recordings of: (1) spontaneous or continuously running electrical activity, or (2) stimulus evoked responses. |
|
| Dermatology Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails |
D, DS |
Medicine |
Dermatopathology, Mohs Surgery |
Skin The skin is a soft outer covering of an animal, in particular a vertebrate. Other animal coverings such the arthropod exoskeleton or the seashell have different developmental origin, structure and chemical composition. The adjective cutaneous literally means "of the skin" . In mammals, the skin is the largest organ of the integumentary and its appendages (hair, nails, sweat glands etc). |
316,473 |
| Emergency medicine Emergency medicine is a medical specialty in which a physician receives practical training to care for patients with acute illnesses or injuries which require immediate medical attention. While not usually providing long-term or continuing care, emergency medicine physicians diagnose a variety of illnesses and undertake acute interventions to |
EM |
Medicine |
Palliative medicine, medical toxicology, pediatric emergency medicine, sports medicine, undersea and hyperbaric medicine |
The initial management of emergent medical conditions, often in hospital emergency departments or the field. |
255,530 |
| Endocrinology |
|
Medicine |
|
The endocrine system (i.e. endocrine glands and hormones) and its diseases, including diabetes and thyroid diseases. |
212,281 [4] |
| Family Medicine |
FM |
Medicine |
- Adolescent Medicine
- Geriatric Medicine
- Hospice and Palliative Medicine
- Sleep Medicine
- Sports Medicine
|
Continuing, comprehensive health care for the individual and family, integrating the biological, clinical and behavioral sciences to treat patients of all ages, sexes, organ systems, and diseases. |
161,200 |
| Gastroenterology |
GI |
Medicine |
|
The alimentary tract. |
395,162 |
| General surgery |
GS |
Surgery |
Cosmetic surgery, Trauma surgery, Colorectal surgery |
Traditionally, it was surgery of the skin, endocrine glands, and abdomen (and, sometimes, the mammary glands). In some countries, it is still deemed a prerequisite training prior to progression to training in certain subspecialties, but lately has evolved into its own subspecialty. |
327,902 |
| Geriatrics |
IMG |
Medicine[2] |
|
Elderly patients. |
177,392 |
| Hematology |
|
Medicine |
|
The blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases. Hematology is grouped with oncology in the US, but not in the UK. |
283,000 |
| Hepatology |
|
Medicine |
|
The liver and biliary tract, usually a part of gastroenterology. |
|
| Infectious disease |
ID |
Medicine |
|
Diseases caused by biological agents. |
168,000 |
| Intensive care medicine |
|
Medicine |
|
Life support and management of critically ill patients, often in an ICU. |
273,520 |
| Maxillofacial surgery |
Maxfacs, OMFS |
Surgery |
Craniofacial surgery, Head and neck, facial cosmetic surgery, Craniomaxillofacial trauma |
Disease of the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. |
|
| Nephrology |
|
Medicine |
|
Kidney disease. |
|
| Neurology |
N |
Medicine |
|
Diseases involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems |
236,500 |
| Neurosurgery |
NS |
Surgery |
|
Disease of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and spinal column. |
460,000 |
| Obstetrics and gynecology |
OB/GYN |
Surgery[2] |
|
Female reproductive organs, pregnancy, and childbirth. |
299,620 [6] |
| Oncology |
ON |
Medicine |
|
Cancer and other malignant diseases, often grouped with hematology. |
371,218 |
| Ophthalmology |
OPH |
Surgery |
|
Diseases of the visual pathways, including the eyes, brain, etc. |
295,510 |
| Orthopedic surgery |
ORS |
Surgery |
hand surgery, surgical sports medicine, adult reconstruction, spine surgery, foot and ankle, musculoskeletal oncology, orthopaedic trauma surgery, paediatric orthopedic surgery |
Injury and disease of the musculoskeletal system. |
436,481 |
| Otolaryngology, or ENT |
ORL, ENT |
Surgery |
Head and neck, facial cosmetic surgery, Neurotology, Laryngology |
Treatment of ear, nose, and throat disorders. The term head and neck surgery defines a closely related specialty which is concerned mainly with the surgical management of cancer of the same anatomical structures. |
397,399 |
| Palliative care |
PLM |
Medicine |
|
A relatively modern branch of clinical medicine that deals with pain and symptom relief and emotional support in patients with terminal illnesses including cancer and heart failure. |
|
| Pathology |
PTH |
Diagnostic |
|
Understanding disease through examination of molecules, cells, tissues and organs. The term encompasses both the medical specialty which uses tissues and body fluids to obtain clinically useful information, as well as the related scientific study of disease processes. |
247,506 |
| Pediatrics |
PD |
Medicine |
Children. Like Internal medicine, pediatrics has many subspecialities for specific age ranges, organ systems, disease classes, and sites of care delivery. Most subspecialities of adult medicine have a pediatric equivalent such as pediatric cardiology, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric hematology, pediatric oncology, pediatric ophthalmology, and neonatology. |
deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents (from newborn to age 16-21, depending on the country). |
185,913[7] |
| Pediatric surgery |
|
Surgery |
Treats a wide variety of thoracic and abdominal (and sometimes urologic) diseases of childhood. |
|
400,591 |
| Physical medicine and rehabilitation |
PM&R |
Medicine |
|
(or physiatry) is concerned with functional improvement after injury, illness, or congenital disorders. |
236,500 |
| Plastic surgery |
PS |
Surgery |
Cosmetic surgery, Burn, Microsurgery, Hand surgery, Craniofacial surgery |
Elective cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery after traumatic or operative mutilation. |
349,499 [8] |
| Proctology |
PRO |
Medicine |
|
(or Colorectal Surgery) Treats disease in the rectum, anus, and colon. |
|
| Psychiatry |
P |
Medicine |
|
The bio-psycho-social study of the etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cognitive, perceptual, emotional and behavioral disorders. Related non-medical fields include psychotherapy and clinical psychology. |
200,871 |
| Pulmonology |
|
Medicine |
|
The lungs and respiratory system. Pulmonology is generally considered a branch of internal medicine, although it is closely related to intensive care medicine when dealing with patients requiring mechanical ventilation. |
265,907 |
| Radiology |
R, DR |
Diagnostic |
|
The use of radiation in medical imaging and diagnosis. X-rays, etc. |
440,004 |
| Rheumatology |
RHU |
Medicine |
|
Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases of the joints and other organ systems, such as arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. |
219,411 |
| Surgical oncology |
SO |
Surgery |
|
Curative and palliative surgical approaches to cancer treatment. |
|
| Thoracic surgery |
TS |
Surgery |
|
Surgery of the organs of the thoracic cavity: the heart, lungs, and great vessels. |
376,000 [9] |
| Transplant surgery |
TTS |
Surgery |
Transplantation of organs from one body to another. |
|
|
| Trauma surgery |
TRS |
Surgery |
|
Surgical treatment of traumatic injury. |
352,971 |
| Urology |
U |
Surgery |
|
Urinary tracts of males and females, and the male reproductive system. It is often practiced together with andrology ("men's health"). |
365,999 |
| Vascular surgery |
VS |
Surgery |
|
The peripheral blood vessels, i.e. those outside of the chest (usually operated on by cardiovascular surgeons) and of the central nervous system (treated by neurosurgery). |
365,882 |
Specialty training in Australia and New Zealand is overseen by the specialty colleges:
