What is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a medical doctor who manages the physical, behavioral, and mental care for children from birth until age 18. A pediatrician is trained to diagnose and treat a broad range of ...
Why choose a pediatrician for your baby's care?
Pediatricians are primary care doctors who specialize in children's health, including physical, mental, and social health. To be a pediatrician, doctors attend 4 years of …
What kind of Doctor does my child need?
Jan 24, 2017 · Both optometrists and ophthalmologists specialize in the treatment of eyes and problems affecting the eyes. Both are often referred to as eye doctors. The difference is that an ophthalmologist can ...
How do you choose a pediatrician?
Pediatrician A physician who specializes in the care of infants, children, and adolescents Pediatrics A specialty of medicine that deals with the care of infants, children, and adolescents Psychosocial Relating to mental and emotional aspects of social encounters Restrain To control or confine movement Sick child visit
What is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a medical doctor who manages the physical, behavioral, and mental care for children from birth until age 18. A pediatrician is trained to diagnose and treat a broad range of childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases.
Why do you choose a pediatrician?
Here are some reasons to consider choosing a pediatrician: Pediatricians have specialized training in the physical, emotional, and behavioral needs of children. Pediatricians only see children, so they often have a broader experience recognizing and treating childhood illnesses.
Who is the first person to call when a child is sick?
Your pediatrician is also the first person to call whenever your child is sick. In caring for your child, a pediatrician will: Refer to and collaborate with a specialist should your child become ill and need care beyond the pediatrician 's expertise.
Do you have to have a pediatrician to deliver a baby?
Most hospitals ask if you have a pediatrician when you go in to deliver. Your baby’s first examination may be with a hospital pediatrician or your chosen pediatrician. This depends on hospital policy and whether your pediatrician makes rounds at the hospital where you deliver, and whether your baby was born early.
What is the first exam for a baby?
Your baby’s first examination may be with a hospital pediatrician or your chosen pediatrician. This depends on hospital policy and whether your pediatrician makes rounds at the hospital where you deliver, and whether your baby was born early. If your baby is born early, they will probably go right to the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU.
How long does it take for a child to see a pediatrician?
After you leave the hospital, your pediatrician will see your baby 48 to 72 hours after discharge, then regularly after that for "well-child visits.". If your child ever needs more specialized care, your pediatrician will coordinate care with other health care professionals.
Do pediatricians see children?
Pediatricians only see children, so they often have a broader experience recognizing and treating childhood illnesses. If your baby was born early or has a health condition that needs close monitoring, a pediatrician may offer more specialized care.
What kind of doctor do babies need?
Some babies need to see a pediatric specialist, a doctor focused on a particular area of health for children. For example, child with a heart condition may benefit from working with a pediatric cardiologist. As with choosing any type of doctor, you should also weigh the location and availability of the office.
When do you switch to a pediatrician?
But your child will need to switch to a new doctor when they become an adult, usually by the time they're 21 years old. Some pediatricians don't offer gynecological care for girls.
How long does it take to become a pediatrician?
To be a pediatrician, doctors attend 4 years of medical school and spend 3 years as medical residents in pediatrics.
How many years of school do you need to be a pediatrician?
To be a pediatrician, doctors attend 4 years of medical school and spend 3 years as medical residents in pediatrics.
How often do pediatricians see children?
They will see your child multiple times a year until age 2, and at least once a year after that for annual physicals and sick visits. To be board-certified, a pediatrician must pass an exam from the American Board of Pediatrics.
How often do you have to retake the pediatric exam?
To be board-certified, a pediatrician must pass an exam from the American Board of Pediatrics. They also retake the exam every 7 years to stay certified and show they're on top of the most recent children's health information. A family doctor is also a primary care doctor.
What is a family doctor?
A family doctor is also a primary care doctor. They do their residency in a variety of medical fields in addition to pediatrics, including internal medicine and gynecology. They're certified though the American Board of Family Medicine to care for people of any age or gender. Like pediatricians, they must take continuing education classes ...
Can a pediatrician be a family doctor?
The choice between a pediatrician and a family physician or general practitioner is for you to make. Both can meet children’s needs, including: Most people opt for a pediatrician, especially in the child’s youngest years. However, seeing a family doctor means your child could be with the same doctor their entire life.
When should a child see a pediatrician?
If your child sees a pediatrician, then they will usually switch to a general practitioner after puberty is complete.
Can a child see a family doctor?
treatment of common illnesses. Most people opt for a pediatrician, especially in the child’s youngest years. However, seeing a family doctor means your child could be with the same doctor their entire life.
What is the definition of family doctor?
disease care. treatment of common illnesses. Most people opt for a pediatrician, especially in the child’s youngest years. However, seeing a family doctor means your child could be with the same doctor their entire life.
When do kids switch to general practitioners?
If your child sees a pediatrician, then they will usually switch to a general practitioner after puberty is complete . This happens around 16 or 17 years of age.
How old do you have to be to have a well child visit?
An annual well-child visit is still advised for children older than 3 years. Read more: Well-child visits ». If you’re concerned about your child’s health and don’t already have a pediatrician, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
When should a child have their first dental appointment?
The American Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental appointment within six months of cutting their first tooth, and no later than their 1st birthday. This visit includes a physical exam of the mouth and an information session for you.
Policy Statement
Pediatrics is a multifaceted specialty that encompasses children’s physical, psychosocial, developmental, and mental health. Pediatric care may begin periconceptionally and continues through gestation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.
Competing Interests
POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
What should a nurse do in a pediatric clinic?
A nurse in a pediatric clinic is assessing a toddler at a well-child visit.
What should a nurse do if a child has a lead level of 3?
According to evidence-based practice, the nurse should instruct the parents to first call the poison control center, which will then identify what further actions the parents should take. A nurse in a pediatric clinic is caring for a 3-year-old child who has a blood lead level of 3 mcg/dL.
How long should a child be in a car seat?
Infants and children should remain in the rear-facing position when in a car seat until the age of 2 years or until they reach the recommended height and weight per the manufacturer's guidelines. As the infant begins to crawl and becomes more mobile, the risk of falls increases.
Is bedtime pleasant?
Consistency in approach to bedtime is very important. Bedtime is more likely to be pleasant for everyone if a routine is established and followed every night. A nurse is assessing a 3-year-old child who is 1 day postoperative following a tonsillectomy.
What is the importance of a stethoscope in preschool?
Preschool play centers on imitative activities. Providing a stethoscope allows the child an opportunity for therapeutic play. Imitating health care personnel helps to ease the fear of unfamiliar equipment. A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who has cystic fibrosis.