Doctors & Specialists

For many people, the most familiar doctor is their personal or primary care physician (PCP). This is the doctor that coordinates all of your medical care routinely and continuously. Usually this doctor is a medical doctor (MD) who is a family practitioner, an internal medicine doctor (internist, for short), or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO). There may be times when your doctor or you feel an “expert” opinion is needed in a certain area. Then your doctor will refer you to a specialist. These doctors help the primary care physician with proper diagnosis and treatment.

After completion of undergraduate and medical school in the United States (which usually takes from six to eight years), the physician enters an internship (first professional year) followed by a residency program (two years or more) at an accredited university program in the specialty chosen. The choice of specialty determines how long the doctor is in residency training. Family practitioners and general osteopathic doctors must complete three years of medical training in all areas of medicine. D.O.’s receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMT), which adds a holistic approach. Surgeons have three years of general surgery, including some general medicine. General internists train for three years. If a doctor chooses to specialize further, in a sub-specialty, there may be an additional two years or more of training.

Once training is complete, the doctor may take a test to become certified in the chosen specialty. This is an indication that the doctor has excelled in a particular field and is ready to provide the best, most up-to-date medical care. The doctor must possess a license to practice medicine for the state(s) in which she or he practices. This comes from the state licensing board, which also monitors physician conduct and competence. Doctors who do not follow the law are sanctioned by this board. The mission of the board of medicine is to protect the patient.

Patients are able to contact the state boards to determine if doctors are licensed and if any disciplinary action has been taken against the physician for wrongdoing of any kind. In addition to providing information about physicians, the state boards handle patient complaints about doctors. This can lead to hearings where doctors are “tried” as in court and may lead to discipline and loss of license. The public information collected by state boards can be found on some state health agency websites.

Choosing your PCP and specialists is crucial to your health care. Word of mouth is the best and most common way good doctors are found. The internet is also a great resource.

Best health!