Question: How can I decide what specialist I need for what without having to call my personal doctor for everything.
From: Jennifer B. of Hopkinsville, KY
Answer: The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) lists 95 specialties and subspecialties. Additionally, some specialties overlap as they seem to care for the same types of problems. You need to check on the training of the specialist and on what types of medical or surgical problems they deal with. Chapter 13 of my book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare discusses how to choose a specialist and gives a description of the more common medical specialties and subspecialties, their training and the conditions they treat.
Ruthann Russo, PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT, is a healthcare expert with more than 20 years of experience working in and advising healthcare organizations.
