Medical doctors (MDs) fall into two categories: primary care providers (PCPs) and specialists. ... Specialists are doctors who have advanced training and degrees in a particular branch of medicine, such as heart health or bone health. Depending on the field, many can also perform surgery.

What is the difference between primary care and specialist?

If you have a chronic condition, like diabetes or high blood pressure, a specialist may focus on that condition while your primary doctor looks at the big picture.

What is considered primary care?

Primary care specialties include family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, combined internal medicine/pediatrics (med/peds) and general obstetrics and gynecology (ob/gyn), fulfilling the general medical needs of specific patient populations.