Pediatrics Doctor

Nature of the work

A pediatrician is concerned with the physical, emotional, and social health of children from birth to young adulthood. Care encompasses a broad spectrum of health services ranging from preventive health care to the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. The pediatrician deals with biological, social, and environmental influences on the developing child, and with the impact of disease and dysfunction on development.¹

Pediatricians can receive training in the following subspecialties:

adolescent medicine developmental-behavioral pediatrics hospice and palliative medicine medical toxicology neonatal-perinatal medicine neurodevelopmental disabilities pediatric cardiology pediatric critical care medicine pediatric emergency medicine pediatric endocrinology

pediatric gastroenterology pediatric hematology-oncology pediatric infectious diseases pediatric nephrology pediatric pulmonology pediatric rheumatology pediatric sports medicine pediatric transplant hepatology sleep medicine

Training/residency information

Following graduation from medical school, pediatricians complete 3 years of education in a pediatric residency program. The 3-year residency includes mandated rotations in general pediatrics, normal newborn care, and time in selected subspecialty areas. Up to 3 additional years of training are required to be certified in a subspecialty.

References
1 The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.
2 2010 Physician Compensation Survey [special feature]. Modern Healthcare . July 19, 2010: 20-26.