Table 1 The 11 specialties for medical students’ choices

Internal medicine

Provides long-term, comprehensive care in the office and in the hospital, managing both common and complex illnesses of adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

General surgery

Has principal expertise in the diagnosis and care of patients with diseases and disorders affecting the abdomen, digestive tract, endocrine system, breast, skin, and blood vessels. A General Surgeon is also trained in the treatment of patients who are injured or critically ill, and in the care of pediatric and cancer patients.

Ob & Gyn

Focuses on the health of women before, during, and after childbearing years, diagnosing and treating conditions of the reproductive system and associated disorders.

Paediatrics

A specialty is concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood.

Ophthalmology

A specialty focused on the medical and surgical care of the eyes.

Otolaryngology

Provides medical/surgical therapy for the prevention of diseases, allergies, neoplasms, deformities, disorders, and/or injuries of the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, respiratory, and upper alimentary systems, face, jaws, and the other head and neck systems.

Oncology

Has expertise in the diagnosis, multidisciplinary treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with rare, uncommon, or complex cancers.

Geriatric medicine

A physician with special knowledge of the aging process and special skills in the diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive, and rehabilitative aspects of illness in the elderly

Dermatology

A specialty focused on the diagnosis and medical/surgical management of diseases of the skin, hair and nails, and mucous membranes.

Psychiatry

A psychiatrist specializes in the evaluation and treatment of mental, addictive, and emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance-related disorders, sexual and gender identity disorders, and adjustment disorders.

Rehabilitation

A physician who evaluates and treats patients with physical and/or cognitive impairments and disabilities that result from musculoskeletal conditions (such as neck or back pain, or sports or work injuries), neurological conditions (such as stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury), or medical conditions.