A medical specialist is a physician who has completed additional training beyond medical school and general residency to focus on a particular area of medicine. Specialists include cardiologists (heart), dermatologists (skin), orthopedic surgeons (bones and joints), neurologists (nervous system), and dozens of other specializations. In Canada's healthcare system, patients typically need referrals from family physicians to see specialists, though some specialists accept self-referrals for certain conditions. Specialist wait times are a significant healthcare system challenge, with some patients waiting months for appointments. Specialist fees are covered by provincial health insurance for medically necessary services. The distribution of specialists across regions affects healthcare access, with specialists concentrated in urban areas.