Pediatricians are doctors who manage the health of your child, including physical, behavior, and mental health issues. They're trained to diagnose and treat childhood illnesses, from minor health problems to serious diseases. Pediatricians have an education that gives them special skills to take care of your child's health.
Is a pediatrician a doctor?
Pediatricians can be either doctors of medicine or doctors of osteopathy. Most are also board-certified in pediatrics and must complete continuing education courses or retake the certification exam every five years to remain certified. Pediatricians must also be licensed to practice in their state of residence.
What services does a pediatrician provide?
Pediatricians perform a diverse range of health-related services that range from health and wellness screenings to management of complex medical conditions. Pediatricians generally perform the following procedures: physical exams. giving vaccinations. treating injuries, including fractures and dislocations.
What are the different types of pediatricians?
Types of Pediatricians. There are general pediatricians who practice primary care, taking care of the general needs of children, and there are others who specialize in certain areas. For example, some pediatricians only treat kids with cancer, or with heart problems or kidney problems, and some specialize in pediatric surgery.
What is the age range for a pediatrician?
The American Academy of Pediatrics define adolescents as individuals aged 11–21 years. Pediatricians can continue seeing young people throughout adolescence. Parents or their children may feel more comfortable transitioning to a pediatrician who specializes in treating teenagers. Pediatric care generally covers people until they turn 21.
What can a pediatrician diagnose?
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.
What types of patient does a pediatric?
Pediatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the age of 18.
What is the main responsibilities of a pediatrician?
Examine children regularly to assess their growth and development. Treat children who have minor illnesses, acute and chronic health problems, and growth and development concerns. Examine patients or order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests to obtain information on medical condition and determine diagnosis.
What do pediatricians treat?
A pediatrician is a doctor who focuses on the health of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Pediatric care starts at birth and lasts through a child's 21st birthday or longer. Pediatricians prevent, detect and manage physical, behavioral and developmental issues that affect children.
What diseases do pediatricians treat?
Childhood DiabetesChildhood Diabetes Symptoms. ... Childhood Diabetes Treatment. ... Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Obesity. ... Genetic Disorders & Down Syndrome. ... Treatment of Genetic Disorders.
Why do you see a pediatrician?
Pediatric subspecialists are often consulted by a child’s primary care pediatrician for help addressing specific issues. Reasons to See a Pediatrician. Parents should make a note of any unusual behaviors or warning signs of serious illness, like: Running a high fever. A severe sore throat.
What is a pediatric allergist?
Pediatric Allergist. A pediatric allergist helps children dealing with allergies or other immune system issues, including: Pediatric allergists can be found in a variety of settings, including hospitals and private practices. They understand how the effects of allergies and immune system problems affect children.
What is FAAP in pediatrics?
If they pass, they receive a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP) designation, the highest membership in that organization. Pediatricians interested in pursuing a subspeciality may be required to receive up to three additional years of medical training in that area.
What kind of doctor treats congenital heart disease?
Pediatric Cardiologist. Pediatric cardiologists treat children and teenagers with congenital heart disease and those who develop heart conditions after birth. They typically coordinate care with other physicians to create comprehensive treatment plans to address the child’s heart issue.
What is pediatric oncology?
Pediatric oncologists train to understand the different types of cancer that can develop in children. They look for the specific DNA changes that occur in cancers that can strike in childhood, including:
What is the best way to become a pediatrician?
Education and Training. Education for pediatricians often starts with taking a pre-med track while in college. During that period, you can figure out your strengths and which path you might wish to pursue as a pediatrician.
What kind of doctor do you see for a child?
General Pediatrician. Parents typically take their children to a general pediatrician for yearly check-ups or if they fall ill. Doctors in this specialty focus on making sure that a child’s development is on-track and look for any issues that may impact their physical or mental health.
What is the focus of a pediatrician?
Concentration. Pediatricians focus on the physical, emotional, and social health of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults up to age 21. Because they work with so many aspects of children's health, they're highly trained in assessing, detecting, preventing, and managing issues that affect children.
What kind of doctor is a pediatric cardiologist?
If your pediatrician has a question about your child’s heart, he or she may refer your child to a pediatric cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart problems in children.
What is pediatric infectious disease?
Pediatric Infectious Diseases. These specialists evaluate and treat children with acquired or congenital disorders of the immune system, including those caused by bacteria, a fungus, a parasite, or other rare infection.
What is the specialty of pediatric rheumatology?
Pediatric Rheumatology. These specialists care for children with autoimmune diseases, or diseases where the immune system attacks the healthy cells of the body. Rheumatic diseases including fevers, joint pains, rashes, and involvement of the internal organs.
What does FAAP mean in pediatrics?
If you see the initials “FAAP” after a pediatrician’s name, it means she's passed her board exam and is now a full Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What age do adolescents need to be to be a health specialist?
Adolescent health specialists are trained to help teens and young adults between the ages of 11 and 21 with their complex physical, behavioral, and emotional health care needs—from physical exams and immunizations to reproductive and mental health care. 2 .
What is critical care specialist?
A hospital-based pediatric critical care specialist is called on to provide the special care your child might need if he or she is in an unstable critical condition due to a serious illness or injury.
What is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of children’s illnesses and injuries. Some pediatricians treat the same patient from birth to adulthood. Pediatricians may also specialize in certain age groups or medical conditions that affect children. In 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported that approximately 36 percent of pediatricians surveyed practiced a specialty.
How long does it take to become a pediatrician?
Overall, a pediatrician’s training lasts 12 to 15 years, but it may last longer. Pediatricians can be either doctors of medicine or doctors of osteopathy. Most are also board-certified in pediatrics and must complete continuing education courses or retake the certification exam every five years to remain certified. Pediatricians must also be licensed to practice in their state of residence.
How many hours do pediatricians work?
An additional 30 percent work in hospitals or medical schools. They generally work about 47 hours a week, with almost three-quarters of the time devoted to direct patient care. The remainder is spent on administrative duties, teaching and research. They work with a wide variety of other medical professionals, such as registered nurses, pharmacists, dieticians and physical therapists.
Liaisons
Christopher Endom Harris, MD, FAAP – Section Forum Management Committee
Staff
This document is copyrighted and is property of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Board of Directors. All authors have filed conflict of interest statements with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Any conflicts have been resolved through a process approved by the Board of Directors.
What is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of infants and children. Pediatricians deal a child’s problem which makes it one of the most medically-challenging and delicate professions in the world. Pediatricians understand that their medical attention and care has to be extremely different than the ones offered to adults. Until the late 20th century, many serious ailments caused infant mortality and some pediatricians became experts in diseases which other doctors could almost never identify. With advanced medical treatment options, pediatricians have a wide knowledge regarding the various illnesses in children ranging from hemophilia to cancers and respiratory problems to a common fever. Pediatricians, being some of the most highly-demanded doctors around the world, work in close quarters with doctors and medical experts from other departments such as rheumatology, diabetology, surgery, gynecology, psychology, neurology, cardiology and many more! Although many would love to believe that a pediatrician’s job is extremely rewarding, it is extremely challenging as well, as the job of handling the lives of children, could be extremely worrisome. Here is a collection of some of the most famous pediatricians. To learn more fascinating facts and details about them, read their biographies that include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history.
Who was the first Filipina woman to be named a scientist?
Fe del Mundo was a Filipina paediatrician who achieved international recognition in 1977 when she was honored with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. In 1980, she was named National Scientist of the Philippines, becoming the first woman to be named so.
Is being a pediatrician rewarding?
Although many would love to believe that a pediatrician’s job is extremely rewarding, it is extremely challenging as well, as the job of handling the lives of children, could be extremely worrisome. Here is a collection of some of the most famous pediatricians. To learn more fascinating facts and details about them, ...
What are the specialties of pediatricians?
Other pediatricians specialize. The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, for example, lists more than 30 pediatric specialties, including: oncology: the treatment of childhood cancers. neurology: the treatment of childhood brain and nervous system disorders. otolaryngology: the treatment of childhood ear, nose, throat, and neck problems.
What is the difference between a pediatrician and a family doctor?
The most obvious difference between a pediatrician and a family doctor is that pediatricians specialize in caring for babies, children, and teens, while family doctors also treat adults in the family. For some people, it’s important for everyone in the family to be treated by the same doctor. Others might prefer a doctor who focuses on caring ...
What do pediatricians do at well visits?
At those visits, your pediatrician will track your child’s growth, eating habits, physical and emotional development, and sleeping habits. Your child may also receive vaccinations. Well visits are a good time to talk to your pediatrician about any concerns you have or changes you’ve noticed since the last visit.
What to do after residency in pediatrics?
After the residency, pediatricians might pursue extra training in a specialty area, or they could start practicing pediatric medicine. Some pediatricians take the additional step of becoming board-certified in pediatrics.
What is the treatment of childhood ear, nose, throat, and neck problems?
otolaryngology: the treatment of childhood ear, nose, throat, and neck problems. neonatology: the treatment of babies born premature. allergy and immunology: the treatment of childhood food and environmental allergies and problems with the immune system. rehabilitative medicine: physical and occupational therapy for children.
How often should a child go to the pediatrician?
Between the ages of 1 and 3, your child may visit the pediatrician every three to six months. After children turn 4, they usually only need well visits once a year.
How long does it take to become a pediatrician?
According to the American Board of Pediatrics, a doctor who intends to become a pediatrician must complete a three-year residency in pediatrics after graduating from medical school and getting a state license.
Concentration
Procedural Expertise
- Here's a listing of just some of the procedures pediatricians are trained and authorized to perform: •Administer vaccinations •Treat dislocated shoulders or elbows •Treat minor injuries •Remove foreign bodies like splinters •Splint broken bones •Perform circumcisions
Subspecialties
- There are many types of pediatricians.1 There are general pediatricians who practice primary care, taking care of the general needs of children, and there are others who specialize in certain areas, such as:
Training and Certification
- After graduating from medical school, pediatricians take special courses solely in pediatrics for three or more years.3This is called residency. This training exposes them to the various clinical rotations in different pediatric sub-specialties, such as cardiology, endocrinology, emergency medicine, and adolescent medicine. After completing residency training, the pediatrician is eligib…
Appointment Tips
- Patient appointments may be just one small part of a pediatrician’s job, but they'll have a big impact on your life. Use these tips to make the visit go as smoothly as possible: Schedule appointments for early morning or right after lunch. That's when doctors are most likely to be on time, so you'll spend less time waiting. If possible, avoid appointments on Mondays and Fridays, …