Types of health care providers
Physicians; Nurses; Health care providers; Doctors; Pharmacists
This article describes health care providers involved in primary care, nursing care, and specialty care.
Information
PRIMARY CARE
A primary care provider (PCP) is a person you may see first for checkups and health problems. PCPs can help manage your overall health. If you have a health care plan, find out what type of practitioner can serve as your PCP.
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The term "generalist" often refers to
medical doctors
(MDs) and
doctors of osteopathic medicine
(DOs) who specialize in internal medicine, family practice, or pediatrics.
Medical doctors
The practice of medicine in the United States dates back to colonial times (early 1600s). At the beginning of the 17th century, medical practice in ...
Doctors of osteopathic medicine
A doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) is a physician licensed to practice medicine, perform surgery, and prescribe medicine.
- Obstetrician/Gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are doctors who specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, including women's health care, wellness, and prenatal care. Many women use an OB/GYN as their primary care provider.
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Nurse practitioners
(NPs) are nurses with graduate training. They can serve as a primary care provider in family medicine (FNP), pediatrics (PNP), adult care (ANP), or geriatrics (GNP). Others are trained to address women's health care (common concerns and routine screenings) and family planning. NPs can prescribe medicines.
Nurse practitioners
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse with a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing. This type of provider may also be referred to as an ARNP (...
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A
physician assistant
(PA) can provide a wide range of services in collaboration with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
Physician assistant
HISTORY OF THE PROFESSIONThe first Physician Assistant (PA) training program was founded in 1965 at Duke University by Dr. Eugene Stead. Most progra...
NURSING CARE
- Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are state-licensed caregivers who have been trained to care for the sick.
- Registered nurses (RNs) have graduated from a nursing program, have passed a state board examination, and are licensed by the state.
- Advanced practice nurses have education and experience beyond the basic training and licensing required of all RNs.
Advanced practice nurses include nurse practitioners (NPs) and the following:
- Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) have training in a field such as cardiac, psychiatric, or community health.
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Certified nurse midwives
(CNMs) have training in women's health care needs, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and the care of a woman who has given birth.
Certified nurse midwives
HISTORY OF THE PROFESSIONNurse-midwifery dates back to 1925 in the United States. The first program used public health registered nurses who had bee...
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) have training in the field of anesthesia. Anesthesia is the process of putting a person into a painless sleep, and keeping the person's body working so surgeries or special tests can be done.
DRUG THERAPY
Licensed pharmacists have graduate training from a college of pharmacy.
Your pharmacist prepares and processes drug prescriptions that were written by your primary or specialty care provider. Pharmacists provide information to people about medicines. They also consult with health care providers about dosages, interactions, and side effects of medicines.
Your pharmacist may also follow your progress to check that you are using your medicine safely and effectively.
Pharmacists also can evaluate your health and prescribe medicines.
SPECIALTY CARE
Your primary care provider may refer you to professionals in various specialties when necessary, such as:
- Allergy and asthma
- Anesthesiology -- general anesthesia or spinal block for surgeries and some forms of pain control
- Cardiology -- heart disorders
- Dermatology -- skin disorders
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Endocrinology -- hormonal and metabolic disorders, including
diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
- Gastroenterology -- digestive system disorders
- General surgery -- common surgeries involving any part of the body
- Hematology -- blood disorders
- Immunology -- disorders of the immune system
- Infectious disease -- infections affecting the tissues of any part of the body
- Nephrology -- kidney disorders
- Neurology -- nervous system disorders
- Obstetrics/gynecology -- pregnancy and women's reproductive disorders
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Oncology --
cancer
treatment
Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells.
- Ophthalmology -- eye disorders and surgery
- Orthopedics -- bone and connective tissue disorders
- Otorhinolaryngology -- ear, nose, and throat (ENT) disorders
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Physical therapy and rehabilitative medicine -- for disorders such as low back injury, spinal cord injuries, and
stroke
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
- Psychiatry -- emotional or mental disorders
- Pulmonary (lung) -- respiratory tract disorders
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Radiology --
x-rays
and related procedures (such as
ultrasound
,
CT
, and
MRI
)
x-rays
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles through the body. The im...
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.
CT
A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...
MRI
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...
- Rheumatology -- pain and other symptoms related to joints and other parts of the musculoskeletal system
- Urology -- disorders of the male reproductive system and urinary tract and the female urinary tract
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants may also provide care in association with most types of specialists.
References
Association of American Medical Colleges. Careers in medicine. www.aamc.org/cim/specialty/exploreoptions/list/ . Accessed July 15, 2016.
American Academy of PAs. What is a PA? www.aapa.org/what-is-a-pa/ . Accessed July18, 2016.
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. What is an NP? www.aanp.org/all-about-nps/what-is-an-np . Accessed July 18, 2016.
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Types of health care providers - illustration
Health care providers range from generalists to providers who specialize in certain areas of the body or disease. Any category of medicine or care such as cancer or anesthesia can have a specialist. Nurses also can specialize in certain areas of medical care.
Types of health care providers
illustration
-
Types of health care providers - illustration
Health care providers range from generalists to providers who specialize in certain areas of the body or disease. Any category of medicine or care such as cancer or anesthesia can have a specialist. Nurses also can specialize in certain areas of medical care.
Types of health care providers
illustration
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An introduction to CAM
(Alt. Medicine)
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Hypochondriasis
(Alt. Medicine)
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Viral hepatitis
(Alt. Medicine)
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Diabetes
(Alt. Medicine)
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Immunizations
(In-Depth)
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Exercise
(In-Depth)
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Food poisoning
(Alt. Medicine)
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Heart-healthy diet
(In-Depth)
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Hemophilia
(Alt. Medicine)
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Epilepsy
(In-Depth)
Review Date: 7/13/2016
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.