Medical Specialist

Definition

• A doctor who has received advanced training in a specific field of medicine. In many cases, a patient must first receive a referral from a general practitioner before he or she may be treated by a medical specialist. Examples of medical specialists include cardiologists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists, or neurologists. Also known as a "specialist."

Synonyms
specialist, specialty

Related Terms and Acronyms

• Case Management — Definition,
  • A system where medical services and patient treatments are coordinated by a case manager.
• Health and Welfare Trust (HWT) — Acronym,
  • A method for employers to offer their employees tax-free health benefits.
• Health Insurance (HI) — Acronym,
  • Insurance that covers the costs of medical expenses for insured persons.
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) — Acronym, Important,
  • A healthcare plan where insured people receive reasonably priced health insurance through an organization with firm guidelines on the scope of care.
• Healthcare Plan — Definition,
  • Insurance that can cover medical and dental expenses for insured people.
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) — Acronym,
  • A health care program that gives its members a level of freedom and independence when choosing health care options.
• Primary Care Physician — Definition,
  • A doctor who administers or arranges the majority of an individual's health care needs.
• Private Health Services Plan (PHSP) — Acronym, Canada, Important,
  • A method for businesses to provide health benefits for their employees that is both tax deductible for the business and non taxable for the employee.
  ➥ Provides tax-deductible health and dental benefits in Canada.
• Private Healthcare — Definition,
  • Health services no provided by the government, often paid out of pocket.
• Two-Tier Healthcare — Definition,
  • A situation where public healthcare is available to all people, but private healthcare can be purchased by those who want it.
• Universal Healthcare — Definition,
  • A system for providing healthcare free to patients at point of use.