What is a specialty physician?

While a primary care provider (PCP) is the main caregiver for a patient, a specialty physician is also an important caregiver in a patient’s care, according to Premier HealthNet (PHN) physicians.

Your PCP will be where you take your first concern of a medical problem and where you go to prevent problems and stay healthy, according to PHN physicians.

Specialty physicians have a unique set of skills that they focus on a specific health issue or a specific part of the body. Oftentimes, a PCP will make a diagnosis of a health issue, and a patient will be referred to a specialty physician who will care for their specific health issue, according to PHN physicians.

Examples of specialty physicians include:

  • Allergist & immunologist
  • Anesthesiologist
  • Cardiologist
  • Dermatologist
  • Endocrinologist
  • Gastroenterologist
  • Gynecologist
  • Neurologist
  • Obstetrician
  • Oncologist
  • Orthopedic surgeon
  • Pulmonologist
  • Urologist

For more information about what a specialty physician is, talk with your doctor.

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