Specialised doctor

Specialised doctors

Description

A specialised doctor, also known as a specialist or specialist physician, is a medical professional who has completed additional training and education in a specific area of medicine beyond their general medical degree. Specialised doctors focus on diagnosing, treating, and managing complex medical conditions and providing expert care in their chosen medical field. Their expertise allows them to offer more in-depth knowledge and specialized treatments for patients with specific health concerns.

Specialised doctors typically do the following duties:

  • Diagnose and treat patients with complex and specific medical conditions related to their specialty area.
  • Conduct thorough medical evaluations, including physical examinations and the review of medical history and test results.
  • Order and interpret advanced diagnostic tests and imaging studies to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients’ conditions.
  • Develop and implement specialized treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each patient.
  • Perform medical procedures and surgeries related to their specialty area with precision and skill.
  • Monitor patients’ progress and response to treatment, making adjustments as necessary to achieve the best possible outcomes.
  • Stay updated on the latest research and advancements in their medical field to provide the most current and evidence-based treatments.
  • Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to patients.
  • Educate patients and their families about their medical conditions, treatment options, and preventive measures.
  • Participate in medical research and clinical trials to contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge in their specialty area.
  • Serve as consultants to other healthcare providers, offering expert advice and recommendations for complex cases.
  • Stay informed about changes in medical regulations and standards within their specialty area.
  • Adhere to ethical standards and patient confidentiality principles in all aspects of patient care.
  • Provide specialized medical care in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, academic institutions, and private practices.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to specialised doctor:

neurosurgeon
oncologist
gynaecologist
doctor with special interest
coroner
pediatrician
radiologist
psychiatrist
surgeon
g.p. with special interest
rheumatologist
toxicologist
parasitologists
anaesthesiologist
virologist
urologist
otolaryngologist
gastroenterologists
venereologist
specialty registrar
obstetrician
pulmonologist
cardiologist
serologist
physician
traumatologist
haematologist
pathologist
dermatologist
podiatrist
anesthesiologist
endocrinologists
neurologist
paediatrician
immunologist
foundation doctor

Working conditions

Specialised doctors work in various medical settings, depending on their area of expertise. They may work long and irregular hours, especially in hospital settings or emergency situations. The work environment can be demanding, particularly when performing surgeries or managing critically ill patients. Specialised doctors may need to travel for conferences, research collaborations, or consultations with other healthcare professionals.

Minimum qualifications

To become a specialised doctor, individuals must first complete a bachelor’s degree and then attend medical school to obtain a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. After medical school, aspiring specialised doctors must complete a residency program in their chosen specialty. Residency training typically lasts several years and provides specialized training in diagnosing and treating patients within the selected medical field. Some specialised doctors may further pursue fellowship training for additional expertise in a specific sub-specialty. After completing residency and fellowship, specialised doctors may become board-certified by passing examinations from relevant medical boards.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Specialised doctor is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Specialised doctor career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to specialised doctor.

general practitioner
medicine lecturer
specialist dentist
podiatrist
specialist chiropractor

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of specialised doctor.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of specialised doctor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Renal diseases: Renal diseases is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Microbiology-bacteriology: Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Neurological surgery: Neurological surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Occupational medicine: Occupational medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Dermatology: Dermatology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Biological haematology: Biological haematology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Maxillo-facial, oral, and dental surgery: Maxillo-facial, oral and dental surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Biological chemistry: Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Nuclear medicine: Nuclear medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Gastroenterology: Gastroenterology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Orthopaedics: Orthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Radiology: Radiology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Ophthalmology: Ophthalmology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Community medicine: Community medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Radiotherapy: Radiotherapy is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • General medicine: General medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Clinical biology: Clinical biology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Geriatrics: Geriatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Plastic surgery: Plastic surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Diagnostic radiology: Diagnostic radiology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Neurology: Neurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Pharmacology: Pharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Vascular surgery: Vascular surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Dermato-venereology: Dermato-venereology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Gastroenterological surgery: Gastroenterological surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Obstetrics and gynaecology: Obstetrics and gynaecology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Communicable diseases: Communicable diseases is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Otorhinolaryngology: Otorhinolaryngology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Allergology: Allergology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Tropical medicine: Tropical medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Paediatrics: Paediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Immunology: Immunology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Rheumatology: Rheumatology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Urology: Urology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Child psychiatry: Child psychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Paediatric surgery: Paediatric surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Thoracic surgery: Thoracic surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Stomatology: Stomatology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Pathological anatomy: Pathological anatomy is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Respiratory medicine: Respiratory medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • General haematology: The medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis, aetiology and treatment of blood diseases.
  • Cardiology: Cardiology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • General surgery: General surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Endocrinology: Endocrinology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Neuropsychiatry: Neuropsychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Maxillofacial surgery: Maxillo-facial surgery is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Clinical neurophysiology: Clinical neurophysiology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC
  • Venereology: Venereology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Anaesthetics: Anaesthetics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Psychiatry: Psychiatry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
  • Emergency medicine: Emergency medicine is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of specialised doctor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

ISCO group and title

2212 – Specialist medical practitioners


References
  1. Specialised doctor – ESCO
  2. Featured image: Photo by Olga Guryanova on Unsplash
Last updated on July 25, 2023