How to Become a Successful Pediatrician in India

Pediatricians deal with a wide range of ailments in infants and young children that range from the common cold to more complex ones involving the organs, musculoskeletal system, nervous system, respiratory system, etc. If you are wondering how to becomea pediatrician, here is a complete guide. The journey to becoming a successful pediatrician in India is a long one.

An aspirant has to proceed step-by-step to obtain the degree of pediatrician. The steps are given below – 

The first step is, of course, completing the 10 + 2 education in the science stream. A good score in the board exam is also necessary.

The second step is appearing for the NEET-UG entrance exam. Getting a good score and rank paves the way for admission to medical undergraduate courses.

The third step is completing the bachelor's degree in medical sciences. In India, MBBS is the most popular bachelor's degree in medicine. One must get enrolled for this degree in an MCI-recognized medical college. The duration of MBBS course is 5.5 years including a compulsory internship period of one year.

The fourth step is appearing for the NEET PG exam and cracking it. Although most aspirants make multiple attempts to pass the NEET PG, cracking it in the first attempt is very much possible with consistent efforts and effective preparation.  

After cracking NEET-PG exam, an aspirant can pursue MD in Pediatrics degree. During the PG degree, an aspirant gains specialized training in pediatrics in healthcare institutions, like a hospital, where they get the opportunity to assist senior and experienced pediatricians. A good book on pediatrics, like the textbook of pediatrics by Piyush Gupta, contains exclusive real-life scenarios that one can get to face while assisting senior pediatricians. This book has concepts and recommendations given in a compact, concise format. The best thing about this book is the fact that it is updated with preventive care measures in pediatrics that are followed in healthcare institutions across the world.

Piyush Gupta Pediatrics MD course has a strong reputation for boosting an aspirant's understanding of pediatric concepts. Professor Piyush Gupta is a renowned pediatrician and a gold standard faculty associated with a popular digital learning platform for medical students. The course can be accessed in digital format from the comfort of one's home. By opting for an online subscription of this comprehensive course in pediatrics, an aspirant can better equip himself or herself with valuable insights and expertise in pediatrics. 

Along with completing the educational qualifications, to become a successful pediatrician, one must know what success means for a pediatrician. The word success has multiple subjective connotations. In the language of a layman, it can be defined as the clinical skills, rate of desirable results, and professional achievements. Each of the parameters is elaborated below –

First come the clinical skills. Mastering the skills of noting medical history accurately, physically examining the patient in detail, prescribing appropriate diagnostic tests, and administering the right treatment makes a pediatrician successful. A clinically skilled pediatrician, therefore, gains the ability to treat a wide range of crucial pediatric diseases.

Second comes the patient outcomes. Satisfaction and recovery of patients matter a lot in the career of a successful pediatrician. Lower morbidity and mortality, a reduced need for hospitalization, recovery in the shortest timeframe, and expertise in treating a wide range of pediatric conditions determine whether a pediatrician has a positive patient outcome or not.

Third comes the communication skills. Engaging in easy communication with patients, that is, children, and their families is essential. Pediatricians deal with infants and young patients who are not able to express themselves and hence, pediatricians must be able to deal with these situations and effectively communicate with their parents. A successful pediatrician not only listens actively to the symptoms of the children, but they also have the skills to communicate the medical conditions in a simple way that is easy to understand.

Fourth comes the question of professional ethics. A practicing doctor or a medical student in pediatrics is expected to maintain integrity and trustworthiness at all times. Any pediatric book for MBBS clearly lays out the ethical principles that must be followed, including confidentiality related to patients, the practice of evidence-based medicine, and bypassing conflicts of interest.

The parameters discussed above determine how successful a pediatrician is. However, the parameters are only accountable after one starts his or her practice as a pediatrician.