PAIN MEDICINE

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This is rapidly becoming it's own area of expertise.  Anesthesiologists train specifically in interventional pain medicine and bring a unique perspective to a very difficult field of expertise in anaesthesia, perioperative medicine and sedation medicine.

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PHYSIATRY

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This is more formally known as the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Physiatrists train in the areas of musculoskeletal and neurological medicine with emphasis on optimizing recovery from chronic medical conditions in this area including a deeper knowledge of physical therapy treatment options and adaptive devices. They bring a specific expertise to long term management and outcomes of conditions such as soft tissue conditions with chronic pain, arthritic conditions, peripheral and central neurological injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, etc. Many include EMG electrodiagnostic testing in their practice (along with Neurologists).

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RHEUMATOLOGY 

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This specialty deals with arthritis conditions including medication management . This specialty has also developed expertise in the diagnosis and management of chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.

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ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

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This is a long recognized specialty in the medical legal area that deals with diagnosis and (where required) surgical management of musculoskeletal conditions including fractures, joint injuries, tendon and ligament injuries as well as spinal injuries. Many orthopaedic specialists sub-specialize in particular areas such as upper or lower extremity injuries or, in some cases, spinal column injuries or congenital deformities.

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NEUROLOGY

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This specialty focuses on evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves and associated conditions. From a medical legal perspective, conditions that are evaluated often include headaches, traumatic brain injury/concussions, peripheral nerve conditions (including EMG evaluation) either due to trauma or chronic disease conditions, seizure disorders and various forms of dementia as well as movement disorders/tremors. They also address neurodegenerative conditions such as Mulitple Sclerosis.

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NEUROSURGERY

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This specialty focuses on diagnosis and (where required) surgical management of neurological conditions. They are primarily involved in conditions affecting the brain and spinal cord, such as tumors and traumatic injuries.

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PLASTIC SURGERY

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This specialty focuses on diagnosis and (where required) surgical management of facial injuries, peripheral nerve and tendon injuries (especially of the hand/upper extremity) as well as surgical cosmetic interventions. From a medical legal perspective, plastic surgeons are often called upon to address serious traumatic scars that have a significant cosmetic impact on the individual. However, they also deal with significant hand/upper extremity injuries, facial injury outcomes as well as injuries sustained to previous cosmetic surgical treatments (such as implants) and scars/contractures from burn injuries.

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UROLOGY

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This specialty focuses on diagnosis and (where required) surgical management of the urinary system (kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra). From a medical legal perspective they are often called upon to address difficulties with bladder control.

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DERMATOLOGY

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This specialty focuses on diagnosis and management of skin conditions including burns and scars. From a medical legal perspective they can be called upon to address chemical/product skin injuries as well as some cosmetic options following injury to the skin (scarring).

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FAMILY PHYSICIAN

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A number of family physicians develop specific areas of expertise that include areas such as occupational and environmental medicine as well as chronic pain management.

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PSYCHIATRY

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Psychiatry is a physican specialty that deals with the diagnosis and clinical management of mental and behavioral disorders with an emphasis on psychopharmacology as well as various psychotherapeutic treatment strategies.

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PSYCHOLOGY

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A psychology involved the evaluation and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders. The focus is on evaluation and the use of various psychometric instrument tools to arrive at a diagnosis followed by specific psychotherapeutic treatment strategies where required.

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NEUROPSYCHOLOGY

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Neuropsychology is a specific branch of psychology that focuses on diagnosis and management of cognitive conditions associated with conditions such as traumatic brain injury and various forms of dementia.

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CHIROPRACTIC

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Chiropractic is the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions but with a focus primarily on musculoskeletal conditions including sprains/strains and both peripheral and spinal joint and ligament dysfunctions.

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PHYSIOTHERAPY

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Physiotherapy is the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions with a focus on treatment conditioning, modality therapy and intensive exercise and posture based education.

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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

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Occupational therapy is a  detailed evaluation of a wide range of impairments and disabilities especially in the home and community with development of adaptive strategies to minimize subacute and chronic impairments. In personal injury cases, Occupational therapy is often called upon to address AB benefits and are generally an integral part of a CAT assessment team.

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DENTISTRY

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Dentistry involves the diagnosis and management of dental/oral/palate conditions including following trauma, as well as temporal-mandibular joint conditions including chewing and facial pain issues. Subspecialties also deal with lower facial traumatic injuries both from a diagnosis and (where required) surgical management perspective.

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INTERNAL MEDICINE

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Internal Medicine (and associated subspecialties) deals with medical conditions that affect the human body. From a medical legal perspective (other than Rheumatology mentioned separately), they can be typically called upon to deal with accident related conditions (post accident onset or exacerbation) of conditions such as diabetes, cardiac conditions and respiratory conditions.

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OPHTHALMOLOGY / OPTOMETRY

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Ophthalmology and Optometry deal with conditions involving the eye and orbit including associated neurological structures.

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SPEECH THERAPY

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Speech therapy is the evaluation and management of speech / communication / comprehension issues as well as swallowing issues.