Accident and medical practice

is the primary care of patients on an after hours or non-appointment basis where continuing medical care is not provided.

Anaesthesia

is the provision of anaesthetics, peri-operative care, intensive care and pain management to patients and can include the provision of resuscitation, retrieval/transportation (inter and intra hospital) and hyperbaric medicine to patients. Encompassed in this is the advancement of professional standards, patient safety, education and the advancement of the science and practice of anaesthesia, peri-operative medicine, intensive care medicine and pain medicine.

Cardiothoracic surgery

is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of patients with disorders of structures within the chest including: the heart and vascular system, the lungs and trachea, the oesophagus, the diaphragm and chest wall.    It includes the management of trauma and congenital and acquired disorders of these structures.

Clinical genetics

is the investigation and diagnosis of and provision of medical advice, assessment and management of patients in relation to inherited genetics and chromosomal disorders and predispositions.

Dermatology

is the study, research and diagnosis of disorders, diseases, cancers, cosmetic, ageing and physiological conditions of the skin, fat, hair, nails and oral and genital membranes, and the management of these by different investigations and therapies, including but not limited to dermatohistopathology, topical and systemic medications, dermatologic and cosmetic surgery, phototherapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy and other therapies that become available.

Diagnostic and interventional radiology

is the diagnosis and treatment of patients utilising imaging modalities including general radiography, angiography, fluoroscopy, mammography, ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine and bone densitometry.

Emergency medicine

is a field of practice based on the knowledge and skills required for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute and urgent aspects of illness and injury affecting patients of all age groups with a full spectrum of undifferentiated physical and behavioural disorders.  It further encompasses an understanding of the development of pre‑hospital and in-hospital emergency medical systems and the skills necessary for this development.

Family planning/ reproductive health

is the treatment of, and health provision to, patients in relation to contraception, reproductive health and associated primary sexual health issues.

General practice

is an academic and scientific discipline with its own educational content, research, evidence base and clinical activity, and a clinical speciality orientated to primary care.  It is personal, family, and community orientated comprehensive primary care that includes diagnosis, continues over time, is anticipatory as well as responsive.

General surgery

is a broadly based specialty which includes the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of patients with disorders of: colon and rectum, upper gastro-intestinal organs, breasts, endocrine organs, skin and subcutaneous structures, blood vessels including varicose veins and the head and neck region.  It also includes the early and ongoing management of trauma.

Intensive care medicine

is the diagnosis and treatment of patients with acute, severe and life-threatening disorders of vital systems whether medical, surgical or obstetric in origin and whether adult or paediatric.

Internal medicine

is the diagnosis and management of patients with complex medical problems which may include internal medicine, cardiology, clinical immunology, clinical pharmacology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatric medicine, haematology, infectious diseases, medical oncology, nephrology, neurology, nuclear medicine, palliative medicine, respiratory medicine and rheumatology.

Medical administration

is administration or management utilising the medical and clinical knowledge, skill, and judgement of a registered medical practitioner, and capable of affecting the health and safety of the public or any person. This may include administering or managing a hospital or other health service, or developing health operational policy, or planning or purchasing health services. Medical administration does not involve diagnosing or treating patients.

Musculoskeletal medicine

is the diagnosis and treatment (or referral) of patients with neuro-musculoskeletal dysfunction, disorders and diseases, most of whom present with acute or chronic pain problems.

Neurosurgery

is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non-operative) of patients with disorders of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system including their supportive structures and blood supply.  This includes the skull, brain, meninges, spinal cord, spine, and pituitary gland.  It also includes the management of traumatic, neoplastic, infective, congenital, and degenerative conditions of these structures and surgical pain management.

Obstetrics and gynaecology

is the diagnosis and management of patients in the area of reproductive health and disease, including but not limited to; women’s health issues, maternal fetal medicine, gynaecological oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility and urogynaecology, male sexual disorders, post and perinatal issues.  It is also involved with treatment and health provision to patients in relation to contraception, reproductive health and associated primary sexual health issues, as well as primary and secondary pathology and physiology of the reproductive system and genital tract area

Occupational medicine

is the study and practice of medicine related to the effects of work on health and health on work. It has clinical, preventive and population-based aspects. Occupational physicians practise to ensure effective prevention of, and appropriate management of people with, illness and injury due to work and industry, and the appropriate rehabilitation of people with facilitation of their return to work.

Ophthalmology

is the diagnosis and management of patients with abnormal conditions affecting the eye and its appendages, including prevention of blindness, promotion of eye health and rehabilitation of those with visual disability.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non-operative) of patients with diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth, jaws and associated structures.  This includes oral and maxillofacial pathology, trauma, dentoalveolar surgery, facial pain, orthognathic and relevant reconstructive surgery.

Orthopaedic surgery

is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of patients with disorders of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and peripheral nerves) It includes the management of trauma to the musculoskeletal system and the management of congenital and acquired disorders. .

Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery

is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of patients with disorders of: the ears, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck. This includes cancer of the head and neck (excluding the eye and the brain), disorders of salivary glands and thyroid gland, disorders of hearing, balance, swallowing, speech, snoring/ sleep apnoea, and aspects of facial plastic surgery.

Paediatric surgery

is diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of children (usually up to 15 years of age) who may require surgery. It includes non-cardiac thoracic surgery, general paediatric surgery, oncological surgery urology in children and the management of congenital abnormalities both ante-natally and in the neonatal period.  Also included is the management of major trauma in children.

Paediatrics

is the assessment diagnosis and management of infants, children and young people with disturbances of health growth, behaviour and/or development.  It also addresses the health status of this same group by population assessments and interventions, by education and by research.

Palliative medicine

is the medical care that improves the quality of life of patients and their families and whanau facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness. The focus of Palliative Medicine is the anticipation and relief of suffering of patients by means of early identification, assessment and management of their pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual concerns. In particular, it affirms life, regards dying as a normal process and intends to neither hasten nor postpone death.

Pathology

is the assessment and diagnosis of patients with diseases. Includes anatomical pathology (including histopathology, cytopathology and forensic pathology), chemical pathology, general pathology (a mix of anatomical pathology and clinical pathology), genetics, haematology, immunology, and microbiology (including virology).

Plastic and reconstructive surgery

is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative of patients requiring the restoration, correction or improvement in the shape and appearance of the body structures that are defective or damaged at birth or by injury, disease, growth or development.  It includes all aspects of cosmetic surgery.

Psychiatry

is the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of persons with psychological, emotional, or cognitive problems resulting from psychiatric disorders, physical disorders or any other cause.  Treatment interventions provided by psychiatrists will include biological, psychological and existential modalities.  Psychiatrists also undertake supervision and consultation with other health professionals working with a broad range of issues.  .

Public health medicine

is the epidemiological analysis of medicine concerned with the health and health care of populations and population groups. It involves the assessment of health and health care needs, the development of policy and strategy, the promotion of health, the control and prevention of disease, and the organisation of services.

Radiation oncology

is the medical care and management of patients with cancer and other medical conditions through the conduct and supervision of radiation treatment, advice and provision of palliative and other supportive care of patients with cancer; advice and provision of other non-surgical cancer treatment including cytotoxic, hormonal and other drug therapies; participation in clinical trials and research related to cancer management.

Rehabilitation medicine

is the medical care of patients in relation to the prevention and reduction of disability and handicap arising from impairments, and the management of patients with disability from a physical, psychosocial and vocational view point.

Rural Hospital Medicine

Sexual health medicine

is concerned with healthy sexual relations, including freedom from sexually transmissible infections (STIs), unplanned pregnancy, coercion, and physical or psychological sexual discomfort.  Its practice encompasses a wide range of factors that contribute to STIs, sexual assault, sexual dysfunction and fertility.  It also promotes sexual health of the community through education, advocacy, screening and diagnostic testing.  It has a clinical perspective and a public health approach.  It includes the treatment of individuals and the contact tracing and treatment of their sexual partner(s).

Sports medicine

is the medical care of the exercising individual, including the assessment and management of patients with musculoskeletal injuries and medical problems arising from sporting activity. Sports physicians possess expertise in general medicine, orthopaedics and rehabilitation plus allied sport sciences including nutrition, biomechanics, exercise physiology and sports psychology.

Urology

is the specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of patients with disorders of: urinary tract in males and females, and male genital organs.  It also includes the management of trauma to these organs and the management of male sterilisation, infertility and sexual dysfunction. 

Vascular surgery

is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative, including endoluminal techniques and interventional procedures) of patients with disorders of: blood vessels (arteries and veins outside the heart and brain) and the lymphatic system. It also includes the management of trauma and surgical access to the vascular system.