Medical specialities, specialists, qualifications, degrees, fellowships and diplomas (abbreviations)

The medical specialty of Allergy and Immunology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of allergies.

Anesthesiology is the medical specialty focusing on administering pain-killing drugs during surgery in the operating room. Anesthesiology also includes the field of Pain Management, a sub-specialty which helps manage chronic (ongoing) pain in patients with prescription medication, injections, or other therapeutic methods.

The field of dermatology focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the skin.

Emergency Medicine is the field which focuses on emergent, or acute medical care of patients who need immediate medical attention due to trauma, accident, or a major medical event.

Family medicine is a primary care field overseeing the basic healthcare needs of patients of all ages, from infant to geriatric.

Internal medicine is similar to family medicine in that it includes primary care and basic healthcare management of all areas of a patient’s health. However, internal medicine typically does not include pediatrics or obstetrics, whereas family medicine often does. Additionally, internal medicine includes more in-depth training and patient care in a hospital setting and acute care. Finally, internal medicine includes many more sub-specialties such as:

Neurology is the medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the brain and nervous system. Patients who have suffered a stroke, or who battle ailments such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s are a few examples of some of the patients who are treated by neurologists.

Neurosurgery is a surgical specialty of medicine devoted solely to surgery of the brain.

Obstetrics is healthcare for pregnant women, including labor and childbirth and providing a safe delivery of the baby. Gynecology entails the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the female reproductive system.

Ophthalmology is the medical specialty focusing on treatment of the eyes, and retina. Not to be confused with an optometrist, ophthalmologists can also do eye surgery and prescribe medication unlike optometrists, who typically focus on eyesight correction and enhancement and prescription lenses.

Orthopaedic surgery entails surgery of the joints, bones, and muscles. Patients with sports injuries, or injuries from an accident may be treated by orthopaedic surgeons, as are patients with some types of arthritis in the joints which may be surgically repaired.

Otolaryngology is the medical specialty commonly known as “E.N.T.”, which stands for ear, nose, and throat. Otolaryngology includes office-based care, and surgical procedures both in the hospital and in the office. Therefore, a variety of practice environments and employers are available in this field.

Pediatrics is a primary care field of medicine focusing on the healthcare of children, from newborn to age 18. Most pediatric jobs are office-based, where routine physicals, immunizations, coughs and colds, and “lumps and bumps” are handled frequently. However, there are also numerous pediatric jobs available at children’s hospitals, particularly in pediatric subspecialties such as pediatric surgery.

Psychiatry entails the treatment of patients’ mental health and well-being. Psychiatry may be practiced in an office, providing psychotherapy and medication for more common psychiatric care, or in a psychiatric hospital for more serious, acute psychiatric issues such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other issues requiring hospitalization. Psychiatry also involves treatment of patients with addictions such as drugs or alcohol.

Radiology is the medical field which entails the use of medical imaging to diagnose a variety of problems across all specialties and body systems. Radiology is a very high-tech field offering a great deal of job growth, because it is utilized in conjunction with so many other medical specialties including cardiology, surgery, oncology, gastroenterology, to name a few.

General surgeons perform a variety of abdominal and laparoscopic surgeries. Surgeons may also subspecialize to focus on trauma surgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, or cardiac surgery. Surgical careers involve surgeon, surgical tech, or OR nurse.

Urology is the medical specialty involving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the urinary tract as well as the male reproductive system. Urology includes office-based care and surgical treatment.

Abbreviation	Qualification or full description
BCh	Bachelor of Surgery
BChir	Bachelor of Surgery
BM	Bachelor of Medicine
BMedSci	Bachelor of Medical Sciences
BPharm	Bachelor of Pharmacy
BS	Bachelor of Surgery
BSc	Bachelor of Science
ChB	Bachelor of Surgery
CPH	Certificate in Public Health
DA	Diploma in Anaesthetics
DCh	Doctor of Surgery
DCH	Diploma in Child Health
DCP	Diploma in Clinical Pathology
DCPath	Diploma College of Pathologists
DDS	Doctor of Dental Surgery
DFM	Diploma in Forensic Medicine
DGM	Diploma in Geriatric Medicine
DGO	Diploma in Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Dip GU Med	Diploma in Genitourinary Medicine
DMR	Diploma in Medical Radiology
DO	Diploma in Ophthalmology
DObst	Diploma in Obstetrics
DPath	Diploma in Pathology
DPhil	Doctor of Philosophy
DPhysMed	Diploma in Physical Medicine
DPH	Diploma in Public Health
DPM	Diploma in Psychological Medicine
DR	Diploma in Radiology
DRCOG	Diploma Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
DRCPath	Diploma Royal College of Pathologists
DS	Doctor of Surgery
FFA	Fellow Faculty of Anaesthetists
FFCM	Fellow Faculty of Community Medicine
FFFP	Fellow of the Faculty of Family Planning
FFPath	Fellow Faculty of Pathology
FFPHM	Fellow Faculty of Public Health Medicine
FFR	Fellow Faculty of Radiologists
FRCA	Fellow Royal College of Anaesthetists
FRCGP	Fellow Royal College of General Practitioners
FRCOG	Fellow Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
FRCOphth	Fellow College of Ophthalmology
FRCPath	Fellow Royal College of Pathologists
FRCPS	Fellow Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons
FRCPsych	Fellow Royal College of Psychiatrists
FRCR	Fellow Royal College of Radiologists
FRCS	Fellow Royal College of Surgeons
FRCSI	Fellow Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland
FRS	Fellow of the Royal Society
FRSH	Fellow Royal Society of Health
GP	General Practitioner
LMS	Licentiate of Medicine & Surgery
LRCP	Licentiate Royal College of Physicians
LRCPI	Licentiate Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
LRCPS	Licentiate Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons
LRCS	Licentiate Royal College of Surgeons
LRCSI	Licentiate Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland
MA	Master of Arts
MBAcA	Member British Acupuncture Association
MBBCh	Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MBBS	Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MBChB	Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MCh, MChir	Master of Surgery
MChOrth	Master of Orthopaedic Surgery
MClinPscychol	Master of Clinical Psychology
MD	Doctor of Medicine
MFFP	Member Faculty of Family Planning
MFOM	Member Faculty of Occupational Medicine
MFPHM	Member Faculty of Public Health Medicine
MMed	Master of Medicine
MMedSc	Master of Medical Science
MPhil	Master of Philosophy
MRCGP	Member Royal College of General Practitioners
MRCOG	Member Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
MRCP	Member Royal College of Physicians
MRCPath	Member Royal College of Pathologists
MRCPI	Member Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
MRCPsych	Member Royal College of Psychiatrists
MRCS	Member Royal College of Surgeons
MS	Master of Surgery
MSc	Master of Science
PRHO	Pre-Registration House Officer (now replaced by Foundation Year 1)
PhD	Doctor of Philosophy
SHO	Senior House Officer
SpR	Specialist Registrar

Acronym	Fellowship title
FACC	Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
FACCS	Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery
FACD	Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists
FACEM	Fellow of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
FAChPM	Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine [RACP]
FAChSHM	Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine [RACP] [Formerly the FACSHP]
FACNEM	Fellow of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine
FACOM	Fellow of the Australian College of Occupational Medicine [Now the FAFOEM]
FACP	Fellow of the American College of Physicians
FACRRM	Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
FACS	Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
FACSHP	Fellow of the Australasian College of Sexual Health Physicians [Now FAChSHM]
FACSM	Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine
FAFOEM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine [Formerly the FAFOM and FACOM]
FAFOM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational Medicine [Now the FAFOEM]
FAFPHM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine
FAFRM	Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
FANZCA	Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
FARGP	Fellow in Advanced Rural General Practice
FASMF	Fellow of the Australian Sports Medicine Federation
FASN	Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology
FAWM	Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine
FCSANZ	Fellow of the Cardiovascular Society of Australia and New Zealand
FESC	Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology
FFICANZCA	Fellow of the Faculty of Intensive Care Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
FFPMANZCA	Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
FFSEM (UK)	Fellow of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise MedicineÊ[UK]
FJFICM	Fellow of the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine
FRACDS (OMS)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
FRACGP	Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
FRACMA	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators
FRACP	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
FRACS	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
FRACS (Card)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Cardiothoracic Surgery
FRACS (Gen)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in General Surgery
FRACS (Neuro)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Neurourgery
FRACS (Ortho)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Orthopaedic Surgery
FRACS (OHNS)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery
FRACS (Paed)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Paediatric Surgery
FRACS (Plast)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
FRACS (Urol)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Urology
FRACS (Vasc)	Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Specializing in Vascular Surgery
FRANZCO	Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
FRANZCOG	Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
FRANZCP	Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
FRANZCR	Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists
FRCPA	Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
FSCAI	Fellow of the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention
FSDrA	Fellow of Sports Doctors Australia

 

MORE ON MEDICAL SPECIALITIES, FROM HERE:

Specialty	Fields of specialty practice	Specialist titles
Addiction medicine	—	Specialist in addiction medicine
Anaesthesia	—	Specialist anaesthetist
Dermatology	—	Specialist dermatologist
Emergency medicine	—	Specialist emergency physician
	Paediatric emergency medicine	Specialist paediatric emergency physician
General practice	—	Specialist general practitioner
Intensive care medicine	—	Specialist intensive care physician
	Paediatric intensive care medicine	Specialist paediatric intensive care physician
Medical administration	—	Specialist medical administrator
Obstetrics and gynaecology	—	Specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist
	Gynaecological oncology	Specialist gynaecological oncologist
	Maternal–fetal medicine	Specialist in maternal–fetal medicine
	Obstetrics and gynaecological ultrasound	Specialist in obstetrics and gynaecological ultrasound
	Reproductive endocrinology and infertility	Specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility
	Urogynaecology	Specialist urogynaecologist
Occupational and environmental medicine	—	Specialist occupational and environmental physician
Ophthalmology	—	Specialist ophthalmologist

 

Specialty	Fields of specialty practice	Specialist titles
Paediatrics and child health	—	Specialist paediatrician
	Clinical genetics	Specialist paediatric clinical geneticist
	Community child health	Specialist in community child health
	General paediatrics	Specialist general paediatrician
	Neonatal and perinatal medicine	Specialist neonatologist
	Paediatric cardiology	Specialist paediatric cardiologist
	Paediatric clinical pharmacology	Specialist paediatric clinical pharmacologist
	Paediatric emergency medicine	Specialist paediatric emergency physician
	Paediatric endocrinology	Specialist paediatric endocrinologist
	Paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology	Specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist
	Paediatric haematology	Specialist paediatric haematologist
	Paediatric immunology and allergy	Specialist paediatric immunologist and allergist
	Paediatric infectious diseases	Specialist paediatric infectious diseases physician
	Paediatric intensive care medicine	Specialist paediatric intensive care physician
	Paediatric medical oncology	Specialist paediatric medical oncologist
	Paediatric nephrology	Specialist paediatric nephrologist
	Paediatric neurology	Specialist paediatric neurologist
	Paediatric nuclear medicine	Specialist paediatric nuclear medicine physician
	Paediatric palliative medicine	Specialist paediatric palliative medicine physician
	Paediatric rehabilitation medicine	Specialist paediatric rehabilitation physician
	Paediatric respiratory and sleep medicine	Specialist paediatric respiratory and sleep medicine physician
	Paediatric rheumatology	Specialist paediatric rheumatologist
Pain medicine	—	Specialist pain medicine physician
Palliative medicine	—	Specialist palliative medicine physician
Pathology	—	Specialist pathologist
	General pathology	Specialist general pathologist
	Anatomical pathology (including cytopathology)	Specialist anatomical pathologist
	Chemical pathology	Specialist chemical pathologist
	Haematology	Specialist haematologist
	Immunology	Specialist immunologist
	Microbiology	Specialist microbiologist
	Forensic pathology	Specialist forensic pathologist

 

 

Specialty	Fields of specialty practice	Specialist titles
Physician	—	Specialist physician
	Cardiology	Specialist cardiologist
	Clinical genetics	Specialist clinical geneticist
	Clinical pharmacology	Specialist clinical pharmacologist
	Endocrinology	Specialist endocrinologist
	Gastroenterology and hepatology	Specialist gastroenterologist and hepatologist
	General medicine	Specialist general physician
	Geriatric medicine	Specialist geriatrician
	Haematology	Specialist haematologist
	Immunology and allergy	Specialist immunologist and allergist
	Infectious diseases	Specialist infectious diseases physician
	Medical oncology	Specialist medical oncologist
	Nephrology	Specialist nephrologist
	Neurology	Specialist neurologist
	Nuclear medicine	Specialist nuclear medicine physician
	Respiratory and sleep medicine	Specialist respiratory and sleep medicine physician
	Rheumatology	Specialist rheumatologist
Psychiatry	—	Specialist psychiatrist
Public health medicine	—	Specialist public health physician
Radiation oncology	—	Specialist radiation oncologist
Radiology	Diagnostic radiology	Specialist radiologist
	Diagnostic ultrasound	Specialist radiologist
	Nuclear medicine	Specialist in nuclear medicine
Rehabilitation medicine	—	Specialist rehabilitation physician
Sexual health medicine	—	Specialist sexual health physician
Sport and exercise medicine	—	Specialist sport and exercise physician
Surgery		Specialist surgeon
	Cardio-thoracic surgery	Specialist cardio-thoracic surgeon
	General surgery	Specialist general surgeon
	Neurosurgery	Specialist neurosurgeon
	Orthopaedic surgery	Specialist orthopaedic surgeon
	Otolaryngology – head and neck surgery	Specialist otolaryngologist – head and neck surgeon
	Oral and maxillofacial surgery	Specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon
	Paediatric surgery	Specialist paediatric surgeon
	Plastic surgery	Specialist plastic surgeon
	Urology	Specialist urologist
	Vascular surgery	Specialist vascular surgeon