There are more than 200 different types of doctors when you count all the medical specialities and subspecialties. These include general practitioners, eye doctors, dermatologists, and many others who are experts in treating specific conditions or caring for certain patient groups.
There isn’t a single, fixed number of medical specialities worldwide, because each country has its own healthcare system. In this article, we’ll cover some main types of doctors and what they do.
Especially if you’re a student considering Medicine or are currently enrolled in medical school, you’ll learn more about specialities through some frequently asked questions.
What are the most common types of doctors
In many countries, patients first see a general practitioner (GP) or a family physician before a specialist. These doctors refer patients to relevant specialists, whether that’s a cardiologist for heart conditions or a dermatologist for skin problems. Here are some examples of the most common types of doctors around the world:
Type of doctor | What they specialise in | Typical workplace | What they do |
General Practitioner (GP) / Family medicine Physician | Primary care and everyday health | Clinics, family practices, community health centres | Provides general healthcare, diagnoses common illnesses, manages chronic conditions, and refers patients to specialists when needed. |
Internist (Internal Medicine Doctor) | Comprehensive medical care for adults | Hospitals | Diagnoses and treats diseases affecting adults, including chronic and long-term conditions. |
Paediatrician | Children’s health | Children’s hospitals, hospitals, clinics | Cares for the health and development of babies, children, and adolescents. |
Geriatrician | Older adults’ health | Hospitals | Diagnoses and manages health conditions for elderly patients. |
Cardiologist | Heart and blood vessels | Hospitals | Diagnoses and treats heart diseases, chest pain, high blood pressure, heart failure, and other related problems. |
Neurologist | Brain and nervous system | Hospitals, research centres | Diagnoses and treats disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles, from dementia to concussions. |
Psychiatrist | Mental health | Hospitals, private practices | Diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent mental health conditions using medication, therapy, and other approaches. |
Dermatologist | Skin, hair, and nails | Hospitals, private practices | Diagnoses and treats skin conditions, including acne, eczema, skin cancer, and hair or nail disorders. |
Ophthalmologist | Eyes and vision | Hospitals, private practices | Diagnoses and treats eye diseases and performs eye surgery when needed. |
Immunologist | Immune system | Hospitals | Specialises in the immune system, which includes diagnosing and treating allergies, autoimmune diseases, and related disorders. |
Oncologist | Cancer | Hospitals, cancer centres, research centres | Diagnoses and treats cancer using medical, surgical and radiation treatments, while educating patients on treatments’ benefits and side effects. |
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist | Women’s reproductive health and pregnancy | Hospitals, private practices | Cares for women's reproductive health, pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. |
Anaesthesiologist | Anaesthesia and pain management | Hospitals | Administers anaesthesia during surgery and manages pain before, during, and after medical procedures. |
General surgeon | General surgery | Hospitals | Performs operations to treat injuries, diseases, and conditions affecting different parts of the body. |
Plastic surgeon | Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery | Hospitals, private practices | Repairs or restores body parts after accidents, trauma, or birth, as well as performing aesthetic surgery such as facelifts or rhinoplasty. |
Emergency medicine physician | Emergency care | Emergency departments, hospitals | Diagnoses and treats patients with urgent or life-threatening illnesses and injuries. |
Orthopedic surgeon | Bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments | Hospitals | Diagnoses and treats injuries related to bones, ligaments, and tendons through surgery or medication. |
Radiologist | Medical imaging | Hospitals | Uses imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds to diagnose diseases. |
Pathologist | Disease diagnosis through laboratory medicine | Laboratories, hospitals, research centres | Examines blood, tissue, body fluids, and laboratory tests to diagnose diseases. |
Pulmonologist | Lungs and respiratory system | Hospitals | Diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the lungs and breathing, such as asthma. |
Otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) | Ear, nose, and throat | Hospitals, clinics | Diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck. |
When do doctors choose a speciality?
The timing and application process depend on where you study and plan to practise. Clinical placements, mentors and elective courses help students understand which specialties suit their interests, skills and preferred working environment.
- United States: Students explore specialties throughout medical school. Most choose a broad specialty area by the end of their third year and prepare their residency applications during their final year. Association of American Medical Colleges
- Italy: Medical graduates compete for specialty training through the national SSM selection process. Their allocation depends on their national ranking, ordered preferences for specialty and location, and the available places. The rules and dates should be checked for each annual competition. Universitaly
- United Kingdom: Most UK medical graduates complete the two-year Foundation Programme. Those proceeding directly into specialty or general practice training normally apply during Foundation Year 2 through Oriel, although many doctors take a break before entering specialty training. UK Foundation Programme and NHS England Medical Hub
- Canada: Eligible medical graduates apply for residency through CaRMS. Applicants rank programmes, programmes rank applicants and an algorithm attempts to give each applicant their highest possible available choice. An applicant may also remain unmatched. Canadian Resident Matching Service
How long does it take to become a specialist doctor?
You’re typically looking at a timeline of 7 to 16 years, depending on the specialty. Here is more information:
- Medical school: To become a doctor, you first complete medical school. According to Bachelorsportal, most undergraduate medical programmes take 4 to 6 years. In countries like the USA and Canada, you need to complete another undergraduate degree first before you can apply for medical school. In this case, the timeline is more like 8 years.
- Internship or foundation training: In countries like the UK, doctors need to complete training straight after medical school. If this is required in the country you’re studying in, you’re looking at 1 or 2 more years.
- Specialist training: This usually takes 3 to 8 years, depending on the specialty.
Browse medical degrees and specialties around the world
On Bachelorsportal, you can compare bachelor’s programmes in Medicine and related fields. If your goal is to become a doctor, check that the programme leads to a recognised primary medical qualification in the country where you intend to practise. You should also review the country’s licensing and postgraduate training requirements before applying.
Sources used in this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which medical specialty is the hardest to get into?
Medical specialties like dermatology, surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and orthopedic surgery tend to be competitive around the world.
Can international students specialise in another country?
Yes. Many countries allow international medical graduates to complete specialist training, but the requirements vary. In most cases, you’ll need to speak the local language to communicate with patients. You’ll also need to have your medical degree recognised if you haven’t already studied in the country.
Which type of doctor earns the highest salary?
According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, physicians and surgeons are the highest-paid job positions in the country, earning over $239,200 per year. This includes a wide range of specialties, including psychiatrists, surgeons, dermatologists, pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency medicine doctors, radiologists, ophthalmologists, pathologists, and cardiologists.
How many different types of eye doctors are there?
There are several types of eye doctors, but the main ones you’ll come across are ophthalmologists (they diagnose and treat eye diseases, can perform eye surgery, and recommend vision correction) and optometrists (they examine vision and prescribe glasses and contact lenses). There are also opticians, who are technicians responsible for making and fitting glasses and contact lenses based on prescriptions.
How do you choose a medical speciality?
Think about the type of work you enjoy (e.g., patient-facing, laboratory-focused), the patients you want to treat (e.g., children, adults), and the lifestyle you’re looking for (e.g., regular hours, owning your own practice). Then shadow doctors, observe clinical placements, and consider the specialities in need.
