Provider Definitions
DEFINITIONS
- Anaesthetist – a specialist medical practitioner who administers anaesthetic products (drugs or gas), which bring about the loss of feeling or consciousness for the purpose of a medical procedure or surgery.
- Cardiologist – a specialist physician who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment (non-surgical) of diseases and abnormalities of the heart and vascular system.
- Cardiothoracic surgeon – a specialist surgeon who specialises in the surgery of the heart and blood vessels. These specialists perform heart surgeries and treat people who have a blockage in the blood vessels leading to the heart (coronary artery disease) or problems with heart valves. They may also do certain thoracic (chest and lung) surgeries.
- Dentist – a qualified dental practitioner who provides preventative as well as restorative management by way of fillings and artificial replacement of teeth e.g., dentures, bridges, crowns.
- Dermatologist – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and medical or surgical management of disorders of the skin.
- Endocrinologist – a specialist physician who specialises in the diagnosis and management of any malfunction of the endocrine system (glands) e.g., diabetes, hormone imbalance.
- Family Physician – a GP or Family Doctor who specialises in primary, continuing, comprehensive, holistic, personalised care of individuals, their families and communities, across all medical disciplines. They may manage medically or surgically.
- Gastroenterologist – a specialist physician who specialises in diagnosis and non-surgical management of diseases or malfunctions of the digestive system and related structures.
- GP (General/Family Practitioner) – a qualified medical doctor who diagnoses and manages conditions at a mainly primary care level, and may refer patients to a specialist or supplementary service provider should the condition require more specialised treatment. They can perform procedures and minor surgery. Specialist GPs are known as Family Physicians (see above).
- Gynaecologist and Obstetrician – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the female reproductive organs, including pregnancy and the delivery of babies.
- Hospice – an institution specifically providing a caring environment for meeting the medical and emotional needs of the terminally ill.
- Maxillofacial surgeon – a medical practitioner who specialises in the surgical management of diseases or injuries of the face and jaw.
- Nephrologist – a specialist physician who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment (non-surgical) of diseases of the kidney and urinary system.
- Neurologist – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and medical management of conditions of the brain and nervous system – does not perform surgery.
- Neurosurgeon – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and surgery of the brain, spinal column, and nervous system.
- Oncologist – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
- Ophthalmologist – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems, diseases, and injuries – medically or surgically.
- Orthodontist – a specialist dental practitioner who specialises in managing alignment irregularities of the teeth and jaws – usually by means of braces or surgery in more severe cases.
- Orthopeadic surgeon – a medical doctor who specialises in bone, muscle, and joint surgery. This includes corrective procedures, such as removing torn cartilage or replacing a joint.
- Otorhynolaryngologists (ENT) – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or conditions of the ear, nose, and throat.
- Paediatrician – a specialist medical practitioner who specialises in the medical management of conditions affecting children from birth up to the age of 16 years.
- Pathologist – a medical doctor who specialises in the examination of tissue and blood samples to diagnose disease, and who performs autopsies.
- Periodontist – a dental specialist who manages diseases of the gums by conservative means or surgery.
- Physician – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and medical management of general medical conditions but does not perform surgery.
- Plastic and reconstructive surgeon – a medical practitioner who specialises in surgery that improves a person’s appearance (cosmetic surgery) e.g., face lift or breast enlargement and surgery which restores the appearance as well as function of a diseased area of the body (reconstructive surgery) e.g., burns or scars from traumatic injury.
- Prosthodontist – a specialist dental practitioner who specialises in the preparation of and insertion into the mouth, artificially manufactured teeth e.g., dentures, crowns, bridges and implants.
- Psychiatrist – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and medical management of mental and emotional illness by means of psychotherapy and medication.
- Pulmonologist – a specialist physician who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, or pneumonia.
- Radiologist – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis of clinical conditions and injuries by means of interpretation of and reporting on x rays, scans (Diagnostic Radiologist) and other radiological interventions (Interventive or Radiological Oncologists).
- Rheumatologist – a specialist physician who specialises in the diagnosis and medical management of rheumatic disorders, arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and ligaments.
- Specialist surgeon – a medical doctor who specialises in evaluating people who have potential surgical problems and performing surgical operations and techniques.
- Urologist – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the urinary system in men and women and disorders of the male reproductive system.
- Vascular surgeon – a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis, medical management, and surgical treatment of diseases of the blood vessels (vascular disease).
DEFINITIONS
- Acoustician – a supplementary medical practitioner, who conducts hearing evaluations and prescribes suitable hearing aids for the degree of hearing loss.
- Audiologist – a supplementary medical practitioner, who promotes healthy hearing, communication competency and quality of life for people of all ages through the prevention, identification, assessment and rehabilitation of hearing, auditory function, balance and other related systems.
- Biokineticist – a supplementary medical practitioner, who manages problems with the mechanics of movement of muscles and joints by means of exercise and stretching – frequently associated with sport.
- Clinical technologist – a supplementary medical practitioner, who has specialised in operating the equipment, involved in for example some of the following specialities:
- Cardiology (equipment in theatre for cardiac procedures)
- Cardio vascular (equipment in theatre for cardiac surgery)
- Pulmonology and nephrology (equipment for dialysis)
- Reproductive biology (equipment of implantation or removal of ova)
- Pathology (equipment involved in specimen analysis)
- Dental laboratory technician – a supplementary dental practitioner, who manufactures dental prosthetics in accordance with patient’s impressions taken by a dentist e.g., dentures, crowns, bridges.
- Dental therapist – a supplementary health practitioner, who is qualified to perform preventative dental management as well as limited conservative management.
- Dietician – a supplementary medical practitioner who specialises in the formulation of a diet specifically appropriate for a medical condition e.g., diabetes, high cholesterol, allergies.
- Midwife – a nurse practitioner, who has specialised in antenatal care and the delivery of babies by natural means rather than by Caesarean section.
- Nurse practitioner – a supplementary health practitioner in private practise, who provides home nursing care in the form of general nursing, specialised wound care, frail care etc.
- Occupational therapist – a supplementary medical practitioner, who has specialised in the management and rehabilitation of patients with a physical, mental or developmental conditionto develop, recover, or maintain their daily living and work skills.
- Optometrist – a supplementary health provider, who has specialised in the testing of vision and prescribing of spectacle lenses.
- Orthoptist – a supplementary medical practitioner, who specialises in the management of malfunctions of the eye muscles by means of eye exercises.
- Physiotherapist – a supplementary health practitioner, who specialises in the management of disease, injury or deformity by means of exercise and massage rather than surgery.
- Podiatrist – a supplementary health practitioner, who specialises in the management of problems relating to the feet.
- Prosthetist – a supplementary health provider, who specialises in the manufacture of artificial body parts (artificial limb) or assistive devices (insoles for shoes).
- Psychologist (Clinical) – a supplementary health practitioner, who has specialised in the non-drug management of mental and emotional illness by means of counselling. These practitioners further specialise in specific categories i.e. Industrial, Counselling, Educational.
- Radiographer – a supplementary health practitioner, who has been trained in the use of radiological processes, like X-rays, for the radiologist to interpret and report on.
- Radiation therapist – a supplementary health practitioner, who has specialised in the administration of radiation therapy for cancer and other malfunctions e.g., thyroid.
- Social worker – a supplementary medical practitioner, who specialises in the management of social and behavioural problems as a result of social problems e.g., poverty, abuse, dysfunctional family situations.
- Speech and Language therapist – a supplementary medical practitioner who specialises in the management of speech and language problems.
DEFINITIONS
- Acupuncturist – a complimentary health practitioner, who specialises in the management of various medical conditions by means of the insertion of needles along supposed lines of energy (Meridians).
- Chiropractor – a complimentary medical practitioner, who specialises in the management of spinal and joint mal-alignment problems by means of manipulation.
- Homoeopath – a complimentary health practitioner, who utilises a therapeutic medical system, which is based on the observation that substances that are capable of causing diseases of the mind or body in healthy people can be used in the dilute form as remedies to manage the similar disorder in someone who is ill.
For more information, contact our Customer Care Telephone on
0860 100 545 or 011 707 8400
0860 100 545 or 011 707 8400