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. The word “pediatrics” means “healer of children”; they are derived from two Greek words: (pais = child) and (iatros = doctor or healer). Pediatrics is a relatively new medical specialty, developing only in the mid-19th century.
What does a pediatrician do?
A pediatrician is a child’s physician who provides not only medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill but also preventive health services for healthy children. A pediatrician manages the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the children under their care at every stage of development, in both sickness and health.
Aims of pediatrics
The study of pediatrics aims to reduce infant and child rate of deaths, control the spread of infectious disease, promote healthy lifestyles for a long disease-free life and help ease the problems of children and adolescents with chronic conditions.
Pediatricians diagnose and treat several conditions among children including:-
- injuries
- infections
- genetic and congenital conditions
- cancers
- organ diseases and dysfunctions
Pediatrics is concerned not only about the immediate management of the ill child but also the long term effects on quality of life, disability, and survival. Pediatricians are involved with the prevention, early detection, and management of problems including:
- developmental delays and disorders
- behavioral problems
- functional disabilities
- social stresses
- mental disorders including depression and anxiety disorders
Collaboration with other specialists
Pediatrics is a collaborative specialty. Pediatricians need to work closely with other medical specialists and healthcare professionals and subspecialists of pediatrics to help children with problems.
How does pediatrics differ from adult medicine?
Pediatrics is different from adult medicine in more ways than one. The smaller body of an infant or neonate or a child is substantially different physiologically from that of an adult. So treating children is not like treating a miniature adult.
Congenital defects, genetic variance, and developmental issues are of greater concern to pediatricians than physicians treating adults. Also, there are several legal issues in pediatrics. Children are minors and, in most jurisdictions, cannot make decisions for themselves. The issues of guardianship, privacy, legal responsibility, and informed consent should be considered in every pediatric care procedure.
Training
A pediatrician is a graduate from a medical school first. He or she is a primary care pediatrician then completes three years of education in an accredited pediatric residency program. They learn about caring for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults during this period.
Following the pediatric residency, the pediatrician is eligible for board certification by the American Board of Paediatrics with the successful completion of a comprehensive written examination. Recertification is required every seven years.
The American Board of Pediatrics was founded in 1933. It is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The ABP is an independent and nonprofit organization.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.
What is Pediatrics?
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. The word “pediatrics” means “healer of children”; they are derived from two Greek words: (pais = child) and (iatros = doctor or healer). Pediatrics is a relatively new medical specialty, developing only in the mid-19th century.
What does a pediatrician do?
A pediatrician is a child’s physician who provides not only medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill but also preventive health services for healthy children. A pediatrician manages the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the children under their care at every stage of development, in both sickness and health.
Aims of pediatrics
The study of pediatrics aims to reduce infant and child rate of deaths, control the spread of infectious disease, promote healthy lifestyles for a long disease-free life and help ease the problems of children and adolescents with chronic conditions.
Pediatricians diagnose and treat several conditions among children including:-
Pediatrics is concerned not only about the immediate management of the ill child but also the long term effects on quality of life, disability, and survival. Pediatricians are involved with the prevention, early detection, and management of problems including:
Collaboration with other specialists
Pediatrics is a collaborative specialty. Pediatricians need to work closely with other medical specialists and healthcare professionals and subspecialists of pediatrics to help children with problems.
How does pediatrics differ from adult medicine?
Pediatrics is different from adult medicine in more ways than one. The smaller body of an infant or neonate or a child is substantially different physiologically from that of an adult. So treating children is not like treating a miniature adult.
Congenital defects, genetic variance, and developmental issues are of greater concern to pediatricians than physicians treating adults. Also, there are several legal issues in pediatrics. Children are minors and, in most jurisdictions, cannot make decisions for themselves. The issues of guardianship, privacy, legal responsibility, and informed consent should be considered in every pediatric care procedure.
Training
A pediatrician is a graduate from a medical school first. He or she is a primary care pediatrician then completes three years of education in an accredited pediatric residency program. They learn about caring for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults during this period.
Following the pediatric residency, the pediatrician is eligible for board certification by the American Board of Paediatrics with the successful completion of a comprehensive written examination. Recertification is required every seven years.
The American Board of Pediatrics was founded in 1933. It is one of the 24 certifying boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The ABP is an independent and nonprofit organization.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.