Pediatrics

The Essentials of Pediatrics

Written by Maria Bilat
September 15th, 2024

What is Pediatrics?

Pediatrics is a specialized branch of medicine focused on providing care to patients from birth to the age of 18. It supports the needs of patients in various stages of development, ranging from infants and children to adolescents and young adults. Pediatrics focuses on supporting the unique physical, emotional, and developmental needs of the younger population, and plays a critical role in ensuring that children grow into healthy adults.

The Importance of Pediatrics

The discipline of pediatrics is a key factor in the well-being of a community. One of its most important roles is preventive care, which focuses on preventing illness and diagnosing it early through routine check-ups, immunizations, and screenings. Pediatricians monitor the growth and development of children and educate parents on the importance of preventative measures, such as healthy nutrition, exercise, and safety. Pediatricians also care for children with acute and chronic conditions. They diagnose and treat a range of conditions, from common illnesses like colds and gastrointestinal problems, to chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes. When treating a chronic condition, pediatricians develop a treatment plan and help guide families through managing the illness, typically through regular monitoring, medication, and specialized testing.

Where Pediatricians Work

Pediatricians typically work in clinics or hospitals, with some working in general practice and others specializing in treating children with specific health concerns. To become a pediatrician, doctors must complete several years of specialized education and training.

Typical Educational Path in Canada

  • 🎓 Undergraduate degree: 4-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as biology, chemistry, psychology, health sciences, or biomedical sciences.
  • 🎓 Medical school: 4-year MD program, typically consisting of two years of in-class learning and two years of clinical rotations.
  • 🎓 Residency: Completion of a specialized pediatric residency program ranging anywhere from 3–5 years.

After residency, pediatricians can go into general pediatric practice or enter a fellowship program to specialize in a pediatric subspecialty, such as neonatology, pediatric cardiology, or pediatric surgery. These programs can take anywhere from 2 to 6 years of additional training. According to Salary Expert, an entry-level pediatrician in Ontario earns an average salary of 💲164,429, while a senior-level pediatrician earns an average salary of 💲314,991¹

Career Opportunities Beyond Pediatricians

There are many different career options in pediatrics, and being a pediatrician is not the only way to work in the field. Pediatric hospitals look for all kinds of staff, ranging from nurses and respiratory therapists to patient service clerks and environmental services. Check out CHEO’s hiring page to see what kind of positions they are looking to fill!

Conclusion

To conclude this article, I’d like to share a quote that captures the magic of working in pediatrics and inspired me personally to pursue a career working with sick children. For all of you Grey’s Anatomy fans, this quote is from Season 6, Episode 8, where Arizona Robbins explains:

This is not general surgery in miniature. These are the tiny humans. These are children. They believe in magic. They play pretend. There is fairy dust in their IV bags. They hope, and they cross their fingers and they make wishes, and that makes them more resilient than adults. They recover fast, survive worse. They believe².

Footnotes

  1. Salary Expert (2024) Pediatrician: Average Base Salary.
  2. McKee, S. (Writer), Rhimes, S. (Writer), & Yu, J. (Director). (2009, November 5). Invest in Love (Season 6, Episode 8) [TV series episode]. In Beers, B., Gordon, M., & Rhimes, S. (Executive Producers), Grey’s Anatomy. Shondaland Lionsgate.

References