There are various types of specialist doctors who have special expertise to treat certain conditions or diseases. General practitioners will refer patients to specialists according to the patient's condition and complaints.
As the name implies, a specialist is a doctor who specializes in a particular field or body part. To get a specialist degree, a person must first take the education of a general practitioner, then proceed to a specialist doctor education program.
Various Specialist Doctors
Patients will usually be referred to a specialist if the general practitioner assesses the condition requires special treatment. However, you can consult directly with a specialist without going to a general practitioner first.
If you want to consult directly with a specialist, you need to know which specialist is right for you to see. The following are the types of specialist doctors in Indonesia:
1. Internal medicine specialist
Internal medicine specialist (Sp.PD), also known as internist, is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating a number of health problems experienced by adult or elderly patients. Examples are immune problems, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal disease, respiratory disease, and kidney disease.
2. Pediatrician
Pediatrician (Sp.A), also known as pediatrician, is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating patients aged 0–18 years. Generally, all diseases that occur in children, whether physical problems, behavior, to mental health, will be referred to a pediatrician. However, it is possible for pediatricians to also cooperate with other specialists.
For example, when dealing with psychiatric problems, the pediatrician will work closely with psychiatry, or when the child's condition requires surgery, the pediatrician will work with a pediatric surgeon.
3. Neurologist
A neurologist or neurologist (Sp.N) is a doctor whose job is to diagnose, treat, and treat patients with diseases related to the nervous system, from the brain, spinal cord, to the peripheral nervous system.
Neurologists usually treat stroke patients, nervous system infections, inoperable tumors, autoimmune diseases that attack the nervous system, seizures, movement disorders, muscle disorders due to neurological disorders, migraines, dementia, and peripheral neuropathy.
4. Obstetrician and gynecologist
According to his title, obstetrician and gynecology specialist (Sp.OG) has special expertise in 2 fields, namely expertise in pregnancy and childbirth (obstetrics) and expertise in reproductive health (gynecology).
The field of obstetrics serves all things related to pregnancy and childbirth, both normal and problematic. Meanwhile, the field of gynecology serves complaints related to reproductive health, such as menstrual and menopause problems.
5. Surgeon specialist
Surgeons are doctors who specialize in all things related to surgical procedures. You can consult a surgeon if you have an abnormal lump in a certain area or a wound that doesn't heal.
Some cases require a surgeon with special expertise, for example, surgery for cancerous tissue will be performed by a surgical oncologist, while surgery on bone will be performed by an orthopedic specialist.
6. Dermatologist and gynecologist
A dermatologist and venereal specialist (Sp.KK) is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin and genital health problems, both experienced by men and women.
There are many diseases related to the skin and genitals. However, some health problems that are generally treated by dermatologists and genital specialists are skin allergies, fungal infections, herpes, skin cancer, and various sexually transmitted infections.
7. ENT specialist
An ENT specialist (Sp.ENT) or otolaryngologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and treating people with ear, nose, and throat disorders.
Health problems that can be handled by an ENT specialist include sore throat, tonsillitis, sleep apnea, sinusitis, ear infections, to tumors in the head and neck.
8. Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist (Sp.M) or ophthalmologist is a doctor who has expertise in dealing with eye health problems. In addition to conducting eye examinations, ophthalmologists can also prescribe medications or glasses, and also perform eye surgery.
Eye health problems that are usually treated by ophthalmologists include vision problems, eyelid problems, eye irritation, twinkle that doesn't go away, or age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts.
9. Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in mental and behavioral health. Psychiatrists deal with problems related to emotional, psychiatric, and behavioral disorders of patients through counseling and medication.
Examples of mental health problems that are generally treated by psychiatrists are depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, autism, addiction problems, and also sexual problems.
10. Dentist
Dentists are not necessarily specialists. Dentists are doctors who specialize in dealing with dental and oral health problems. A dentist's degree can be obtained without taking a general practitioner education first.
There are various dental health problems that are usually treated by dentists, ranging from bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, cavities, to chronic bad breath problems.
Similar to general practitioners, dentists can also take their own specialist education, including oral surgery specialists, pediatric dentistry specialists, orthodontists, oral disease specialists, and prosthodontics specialists (dentures).
If you have health complaints, you can consult a general practitioner first. If your condition requires special treatment from a specialist, a general practitioner can refer you to the right specialist.