The Role of a Pediatrician: What to Expect in Your First Year of Practice

There are different specializations in the medical field, and pediatrician is one of them. Doctors specialized in this field treat newborns, children, adolescents, and young adults.

Here, we have listed the role of pediatricians for students planning to pursue an MD in pediatrics.

The Role of a Pediatrician

Children have unique medical needs that might fall outside the expertise of doctors who primarily treat adults. This is where pediatric doctors come in; they are trained to treat children, particularly during years of residency training, so they are aware of how to examine and treat children while making them feel comfortable.

Below, we have listed a few roles of a pediatrician:

●       Perform regular health and wellness checkups;

●       Conduct physical examinations;

●       Observe the physical, emotional, and social development of the child;

●       Diagnose and treat illnesses;

●       Offer health advice to parents;

●       Give vaccines;

●       Prescribe medication.

Things to Expect in Your First Year of Practice

After understanding the basic role of pediatricians, students preparing for or doing an MD in pediatrics might be more curious about how they will start their work after completing their studies.

So, here we are with basic information on what the “First Year of Practice” looks like for pediatricians:

●       After completing a bachelor's degree and an advanced degree in medicine, the first step is to complete a pediatrics residency program.

●       Once you finish the residency, you can start general care practice.

●       Another option is to enter fellowship programs where you receive additional training in pediatric subspecialties.

If you choose to start practicing as a pediatrician, it is necessary to get a relevant license that gives you legal authorization and the right to work.

During the First Year of Practice

The first year of practice for a pediatrician can be challenging. With a sense of responsibility, new pediatricians are eager to make a positive impact on the lives of their young patients. Here's what a pediatrician can expect during their first year:

●       Communicate with the parents and guardians of every child to discuss and share their medical history, medication, and treatment plan;

●       Conduct diagnostic tests;

●       Observe patients;

●       Handle acute medical situations and emergencies, such as infections, injuries, or allergic reactions;

●       Attend conferences to network with colleagues and learn about new research and treatment methods.

The list of tasks goes beyond the above. However, if you feel nervous after reading about the basic details of the work, don’t stress out.

Get guidance from Dr. Piyush Gupta, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and enroll in an online pediatrics course.

Details About the Online Pediatrics Course

The course will prepare you to clear the examination and deeply understand every topic so that you won't feel nervous during your practice days.