What Is A Pediatrician, And What Do They Do?

 

Pediatricians are healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of children. This means that a pediatrician is trained to diagnose and treat children’s illnesses, from common to rare, and from acute to chronic. A pediatrician can work with parents and other caregivers on the children’s health team. What this vocation entails varies based on location and institution. However, many pediatricians specialize in working with children under the age of 18 years old. Some pediatricians may work exclusively with younger patients, while others might have limited experience treating younger patients but enough familiarity with their age group to practice effectively as a pediatrician. As such, there are both generalist physicians and specialists who can practice as a pediatric specialist in this field.

ParCare Community Health Network offers complete pediatric care for children and their families up to the age of 18. The pediatricians at our clinic are board-certified and have broad experience in dealing with respiratory difficulties, acute infections, wellness care, and sutures.

 

The Role of a Pediatrician

Because pediatricians are health care professionals who specialize in caring for young children, the specialty is particularly concerned with children’s behavior and their psychological well-being. Additionally, pediatricians are often trained in nutrition, infectious disease prevention and breastfeeding. In the United States, an estimated 1.2 million children under the age of 18 are affected by autism spectrum disorder. Some pediatricians specialize in the care of children with special health care needs, including those with developmental disabilities such as autism. Pediatricians are generally trusted healthcare providers who receive comprehensive training in children’s health and development. While they may be involved in the care of newborns, pediatricians also have experience treating children and adolescents of all ages. If your child has a normal development but is having some health concerns or has special health care needs, you can turn to a pediatrician. Pediatricians are the main health care providers for children and adolescents, so they play a key role in a wide range of health issues affecting children.

Everything about ParCare Community Health Network is dedicated to the health and wellness of children. Our highly trained pediatric staff works in an environment tailored to fit the needs of its children, allowing doctors and nurses to offer the best possible care.

 

Primary Care and Specialty Care

The role of a pediatrician can vary based on the specialist’s location, experience and area of focus. Generalist pediatricians, on the other hand, can help treat a wide range of pediatric health issues. However, because of the specialization of specialists, these doctors can provide specialized care for uncommon conditions. This can include immunizations specific to your child’s age, an assessment for hearing or vision issues, or even a specialist’s experience with a rare illness. Additionally, pediatricians can be involved in the care of children with chronic conditions, such as asthma or Type 1 diabetes. Ideally, a pediatrician is the main provider for your child’s health care. A pediatrician should be your child’s primary care provider, meaning he or she is responsible for managing your child’s daily health needs.

In addition to offering high-quality medical care, our team of highly skilled physicians strives to create a comfortable, warm, and caring environment for our patients. As a healthcare provider, ParCare Community Health Network understands that time is valuable and is committed to addressing any and all health care concerns in a timely manner, while still making sure our patients receive the best care possible.

 

Becoming a Pediatrician

In order to become a pediatrician, you need to first earn a medical degree from a medical school that recognizes the specialty. After completing medical school, you will need to participate in the residency program of your desired specialty. This will allow you to gain experience in pediatric medicine while completing your residency training. At the end of your residency, you will need to pass a medical board exam in order to become a board certified pediatrician. While the residency and board certification processes can vary depending on the location and specialty you choose, most require a minimum of 10 years of training. There are a variety of residency programs and pediatric subspecialties available to help you choose the right program for you and your family. Additionally, pediatric residency programs are often available at medical centers that serve as a resource for pediatricians in the area.

 

Career Progression in Pediatrics

Pediatrics is a popular career choice for medical students and residents due to the high demand for pediatricians and the wide variety of subspecialties available. Pediatricians can choose to work in a variety of settings including primary care, academic centers, public health departments and other specialty areas. As a pediatrician, you can choose to focus on treating common illnesses, such as childhood asthma or childhood immunizations. However, many pediatricians specialize in working with children with health issues that are rare or that affect only a small number of children, such as those with genetic disorders or those with developmental disabilities. Pediatricians can also choose to specialize in paediatrics, which is the care of infants, children and adolescents. In this subspecialty, pediatricians can focus on managing chronic conditions or treating rare but serious conditions, such as cancer in children or gene disorders.

 

Research and Education

Pediatricians must maintain their knowledge in pediatric health by participating in CME or attending continuing medical education (CME) events. Pediatricians should also participate in research, which can help expand the knowledge of pediatric health. Pediatricians may be involved in clinical research, which involves the use of human volunteers to help test the safety or effectiveness of new treatments or interventions. Pediatricians should also participate in education, which allows them to share their knowledge with other healthcare professionals and the public. Pediatricians may choose to complete a residency in public health, teach at a medical school, or participate in a fellowship training program.

As a multi-speciality center, ParCare Community Health Network has ongoing research and collaboration with specialists and centers of excellence to advance pediatric hospitalist medicine.

 

Conclusion

As a pediatrician, you will be involved in the care of children, from infancy to adulthood. You can help treat common illnesses, such as asthma or childhood immunizations, and manage uncommon health issues, such as cancer in children or genetic disorders. You can also choose to focus on working with a small group of children, such as those with health issues, such as cancer or developmental disabilities. The job of a pediatrician requires a lot of education and experience, but it is rewarding to be able to help your patients reach their full potential. If you are interested in a career as a pediatrician, you should understand what a pediatrician does and how to become one.