What to know about pediatricians

What is a Pediatrician? A Pediatrician is a physician who focuses on the Healthcare of infants, children and adolescents. They also take medical care of young adults until they turn 21 or older. In addition, they have to diagnose, treat or prevent and manage physical, behavioral and mental health issues affecting children.

● How to Become a Pediatrician?

Like any other physician, a Pediatrician starts their journey after high school. One must complete 4 or 5 years of pre-med graduation or MBBS. After completing MBBS and its training programs, one continues to study MD. Under MD, the student can opt for a Paediatrician and therefore get a specialized degree. After completing MD in pediatrics, one can opt for a subspecialty under pediatrics. A list of subspecialties under pediatrics is listed below-

• Adolescent medicine

• Intensive care medicine

•Rheumatology

• Endocrinology

• Infectious diseases

• Pediatric cardiology

• Developmental-behavioral pediatrics

• Neonatology

• Emergency medicine

• Pediatric haematology-oncology

• Pulmonology

• Pediatric nephrology

• Neonatal-perinatal medicine

A student can opt for any subspecialties under pediatrics and obtain a master’s degree.

● How long does it take to become a Pediatrician?

Suppose you’re a student who wants to study pediatrics in India. In that case, you will require 8.5 years post intermediate, where you have to complete 5.5 years of MBBS, including the compulsory internship and 3 years of MD in any of the specializations. If you’re a student planning to study pediatrics abroad, approximately 11 to 15 years are the required academic years to become a certified pediatrician.

● Why should you choose to study pediatrics over any other medical subjects?

Pediatrics typically serve as the primary care physician for children with a broad spectrum of opportunities, covering a child’s psychiatric needs, chronic and acute illnesses, orthopaedic concerns, and internal and surgical concerns. But above all, If you empathize with children, understand their pain and want to aid them in getting rid of those problems, pediatrics is perfectly built for you.

● What is the job of a Pediatrician?

When we ask the question what is a Pediatrician, we know that a Pediatrician typically conducts examinations or diagnostic procedures on infants, children and teenagers to check and record their healthcare needs. Then, they prescribe medicines, conduct surgeries wherever necessary and administer to the patient in general. They are also expected to document the health-related details required for a child patient.

● What procedures does a Pediatrician have to carry out?

A child’s routine includes screening to check their health requirements and conditions. Some extensive screening tests regularly contain cholesterol, blood lead levels, scoliosis and tuberculosis. A Pediatrician also diagnoses blood tests, allergy tests, and throat culture if the child is suspected of chronic or mild sickness or condition. Some tests are more intense for some conditions of a child.

● What is it like to have a career as a Pediatrician?

Being a Pediatrician is a rewarding and enhancing career; it offers opportunities in the research field and volunteering worldwide and provides work opportunities in hospital sectors and private clinics. In addition, one can also work as a practitioner at a research center. Therefore this is a guide to know what is a Pediatrician,what does a Pediatrician do and how to become one.