Cardiologist, nephrologist, otolaryngologist, internist — Philippine medicine has more than forty recognised specialties, and the names rarely tell you what they treat. This is the plain-language map: who to see for which body part, which problem, and at which point.
Every doctor in the Philippines starts the same way: a bachelor's degree, four years of medical school, a rotating internship, and the Physician Licensure Examination administered by the Professional Regulation Commission. Pass it and you are a licensed physician.
What happens next is where the forty-odd specialties come from. A residency of three to five years produces a specialist. A further fellowship of two to three years produces a subspecialist. By the time someone is a pediatric cardiologist, they are fourteen or more years past their first day of medical school.
How to use this page: find the body part or the problem, not the job title. Almost nobody knows they need a nephrologist. They know their kidneys were flagged on a blood test.
Primary Care: Where to Start
Unless you already know the organ involved, this is your entry point. Primary care doctors handle the majority of illness outright and, just as importantly, decide who needs a specialist.
| Doctor | Treats | See them for |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | All ages, common illness | Coughs, fever, rashes, medical certificates, first opinion on anything |
| Family Physician | All ages, whole household | A long-term doctor for the entire family; prevention and continuity |
| Internist | Adults only | Chronic adult disease, complex or multi-system problems |
| Pediatrician | Birth to ~18 | Childhood illness, immunisations, growth and development |
Not sure between the first three? Our GP vs. internist guide walks through it symptom by symptom.
Internal Medicine Subspecialties
These doctors all completed internal medicine residency first, then a fellowship in one organ system. They treat adults, and they are usually reached by referral once the problem is localised.
| Specialist | Body system | See them for |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiologist | Heart and blood vessels | Chest pain, arrhythmia, heart failure, coronary artery disease |
| Pulmonologist | Lungs and airways | Asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, sleep apnea |
| Gastroenterologist | Digestive tract, liver | GERD, ulcers, hepatitis, IBS, endoscopy |
| Nephrologist | Kidneys | Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, abnormal creatinine |
| Endocrinologist | Hormones and metabolism | Diabetes, thyroid disorders, obesity |
| Rheumatologist | Joints, autoimmune disease | Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout |
| Infectious disease physician | Infections | HIV, resistant infections, complicated dengue, fever of unknown origin |
| Hematologist | Blood | Anemia, clotting disorders, leukemia |
| Oncologist | Cancer | Diagnosis, chemotherapy, and long-term cancer care |
| Allergist | Immune reactions | Allergic rhinitis, food and drug allergy, skin allergies |
The Brain, Nerves, and Mind
| Specialist | Treats | See them for |
|---|---|---|
| Neurologist | Brain and nervous system, medically | Stroke, epilepsy, migraine, neuropathy, Parkinson's |
| Neurosurgeon | Brain and spine, surgically | Brain tumours, herniated disc, head trauma |
| Psychiatrist | Mental health, medically | Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder; can prescribe |
| Psychologist | Mental health, therapy | Talk therapy, assessment; does not prescribe medication |
Psychiatrist or psychologist? A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. A psychologist is not a physician and provides therapy and psychological testing. Many people need both, and they work together routinely.
Surgical Specialties
| Specialist | Operates on | See them for |
|---|---|---|
| General surgeon | Abdomen and soft tissue | Appendicitis, gallstones, hernia, hemorrhoids |
| Orthopedic surgeon | Bones, joints, muscles | Fractures, joint replacement, scoliosis, sports injury |
| Urologist | Urinary tract, male reproductive | Kidney stones, prostate problems, recurrent UTI |
| Otolaryngologist (ENT) | Ear, nose, throat | Sinusitis, hearing loss, tonsils, vertigo |
| Ophthalmologist | Eyes, medically and surgically | Cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease |
| Plastic surgeon | Reconstruction and aesthetics | Burns, reconstruction after trauma or cancer, cosmetic surgery |
| Anesthesiologist | Anesthesia and pain | Surgical anesthesia, ICU care, chronic pain management |
Ophthalmologist, optometrist, or optician? An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who treats eye disease and operates. An optometrist examines eyes and prescribes corrective lenses. An optician fits and dispenses the glasses. Blurred vision from an eye disease needs the first; a new prescription needs the second.
Women's and Children's Health
| Specialist | Treats | See them for |
|---|---|---|
| OB-GYN | Pregnancy and female reproductive health | Prenatal care, delivery, PCOS, cervical cancer screening |
| Pediatrician | Infants through adolescents | Immunisations, growth, childhood illness |
| Pediatric cardiologist | Children's hearts | Congenital heart defects, murmurs found in childhood |
Skin, Diagnostics, and Behind the Scenes
| Specialist | Role | See them for |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatologist | Skin, hair, nails | Acne, eczema, psoriasis, suspicious moles, hair loss |
| Radiologist | Reads imaging | Interprets X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound — you rarely meet them, but they write the report |
| Pathologist | Reads tissue and lab specimens | Biopsy results and laboratory diagnosis |
| Dentist | Teeth and oral health | Cleaning, fillings, extractions, oral disease |
| Orthodontist | Tooth and jaw alignment | Braces and aligners |
Radiologists and pathologists are the two specialties most patients never think about and most depend on. When you get a lab result you do not understand, a pathologist produced it — our guide to reading lab results explains what the numbers mean.
How to Actually Choose
- Start with primary care unless the organ is obvious. A GP, family physician, or internist costs less and their core skill is working out which specialist you need.
- Check your HMO's referral rule first. Most plans cover a specialist visit only after a primary care referral. Going direct can mean paying for a visit your plan would have covered — see our HMO guide.
- Match the specialist to the setting. Complex or surgical care generally belongs in a tertiary hospital; routine follow-up does not need to be.
- Verify the licence. Every practising physician holds a PRC licence, and specialists hold Diplomate or Fellow status with their specialty board. Both are reasonable things to ask about.
Emergencies do not need a specialist first. Chest pain, sudden one-sided weakness, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a first seizure mean the emergency room, immediately. The right specialist will be brought to you there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years does it take to become a specialist in the Philippines?
Roughly eleven to fifteen years after high school: four years of pre-medicine, four years of medical school, a one-year rotating internship, the licensure exam, then a three-to-five-year residency. Subspecialists add a further two to three years of fellowship on top of that.
What is the difference between a doctor and a specialist?
Every specialist is a doctor, but not every doctor is a specialist. A general practitioner is fully licensed to practise after medical school, internship, and the board exams. A specialist completed additional residency training and certification with a specialty board such as the Philippine College of Physicians.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist in the Philippines?
Not by law — you can book directly. But most HMO plans require a primary care consultation and referral before they will cover a specialist visit, so going direct often means paying out of pocket.
What does Diplomate or Fellow mean after a doctor's name?
Diplomate means the doctor passed the certifying examination of their specialty board after completing residency. Fellow usually denotes further standing within the specialty society, often reflecting years of practice and continued professional activity. Both indicate certified specialist training beyond the basic PRC licence.
Which doctor should I see for high blood pressure?
Start with a general practitioner or family physician. If your blood pressure stays high on two or more medications, or you have kidney, heart, or eye complications, an internist or cardiologist is the next step.
What kind of doctor treats diabetes?
Most type 2 diabetes is well managed by a general practitioner, family physician, or internist. An endocrinologist is the right referral for difficult-to-control diabetes, type 1 diabetes, insulin pump management, or diabetes alongside other hormonal disorders.
Is a surgeon a specialist?
Yes. General surgery is a five-year residency, and surgical subspecialties such as orthopedics, urology, and neurosurgery add further training. Surgeons certify through their own specialty boards.
Search by Specialty
Browse every specialty in our directory, or start with the most-searched: general practitioners, pediatricians, dermatologists, OB-GYNs, and cardiologists.
This article is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you which specialist your specific symptoms require — a licensed physician can.
doktor.ph Editorial Team
Health Systems DeskContributing writer at doktor.ph, dedicated to providing accurate and helpful health information for Filipinos.
