Medical conditions, codes and terminology 008-07030000

Some General Practitioners (GP) still perform surgery, especially in country areas, but there is a growing trend for all but minor surgical procedures to be referred to a specialist surgeon.

All specialist surgeons must have completed basic medical training before becoming a trainee surgeon. They train for at least four more years before sitting an examination for admission to the College of Surgeons as a specialist surgeon. Surgeons treat some physical conditions which may, require surgery. They perform operations and prescribe medications and other forms of treatments such as physiotherapy, splints etc.

There is a growing trend for surgeons to specialise on a particular type of surgery. However, a general surgeon can treat surgical problems in any part of the body. A general surgeon is a specialist and a Fellow of the College of Surgeons. The most common problems handled by a general surgeon are bowel conditions (including cancer, ulcers and appendicitis), piles and varicose veins, and breast conditions (lumps, cysts and cancer).

Treat conditions of bones, ligaments, cartilage and muscles. Many conditions seen by the orthopaedic surgeon are 'degenerative' or due to wear and tear with increasing age. Appropriate management is usually 'conservative' and involves medication, physiotherapy etc. The supervision of an orthopaedic surgeon is required to ensure that surgery is done when needed.

Perform surgery on the brain (for example, tumours and accidental head injuries) as well as the spinal cord in the back and neck (the orthopaedic surgeon may also do this) and the peripheral nerves in the body (for example, repair when a major nerve is cut).

Perform surgery related to the kidneys (for example, transplants), the bladder (for example, cancer) and prostate, testes and penis in males. For females, the work of the urologist overlaps with that of the gynaecologist. Urologists also treat other conditions of the kidneys and bladder which do not need surgery.

Perform surgery on the arteries and veins. There is some overlap with cardiac surgery.

Perform reconstructive surgery for conditions which may be present at birth or due to injuries such as burns or to other surgery (for example, cancer). They also perform cosmetic surgery on people who wish to change their appearance for non-medical reasons.

Treat diseases of the ear (deafness and tinnitus), nose and sinuses (hay fever, sinusitis) and throat (cancer, tonsillitis).

Treat all conditions of the eyes such as cataracts, glaucoma, poor vision and blindness regardless of whether or not they require an operation.

They are different from Optometrists who test people's vision.

Treat all disorders of the female reproductive tract (for example, ovary, vagina and uterus). An obstetrician monitors the progress of pregnancy and childbirth to assess the need for medical intervention.

GP's have completed basic medical training and treat conditions which may be referred to a specialist physician.

A specialist physician has completed basic medical training and then undertaken a minimum of 4 years further study to obtain Fellowship of the College of Physicians. Physicians treat conditions which do not require surgery. A specialist physician may trat all conditions or specialise in a particular condition.

Treat diseases of joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and 'soft tissue'. They may also treat some conditions of an orthopaedic surgeon. They treat arthritis (rheumatoid and osteo), repetitive strain injury or occupational over-use syndrome, neck and back strains or injuries, tendon injuries and muscular conditions such as fibrositis and lumbago.

Treat diseases of the respiratory tract and chest. They treat chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD). If surgery is required, it is performed by a Thoracic surgeon.

Treat diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system, for example angina, coronary occlusion (heart attack) and cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle).

Treat disorders of the internal glands and hormones. Examples are thyroid diseases, diabetes and hirsutism (excessive hairiness).

Treat all types of diseases of the skin.

Treat allergies of various types. There is overlap with specialties of Dermatology and ENT (hay fever).

Treat diseases of the blood or blood forming organs. For example, the various forms of anaemia, the leukaemia's and Hodgkin's disease.

Treat diseases of the stomach and bowel. For example, ulcers, hiatus hernia, diverticulitis and various forms of cancer.

Treat diseases of the brain and the nervous system. For example, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and specific nerve injuries.

Treat children until adolescence, when they transfer to the care of adult specialists. Paediatricians may be generalists, or they may specialise in a particular area, for example a paediatric gastroenterologist treats disorders of the stomach and bowel in children.