Being A Pediatrician Essay

Pediatrician

“There are only two things a child will share willingly: communicable diseases and his mother's age”-anonymous. Imagine a world without pediatricians. Who would have the expertise to care for your child? From birth to age 18 Pediatricians have what it takes to ensure your child goes from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. The career of a pediatrician is determination. You must be determined to make your patient feel better no matter what. In my research I will be discussing the career of a pediatrician, their influence on society and more.

Pediatrics is a 200 year old specialty, medical writings from ancient times included diseases in children from smallpox to the hygienes of caring for a baby.Children became the focus of different healthcare by the 18th century in Europe. Children’s healthcare became medically recognized in the early 19th century. In the 19th century pediatrics were taught separately in medical schools this became one of the major breakthroughs in the pediatric specialty. Pediatric care originated in Germany/France,the first organization was known as the “Society for Infant Therapeutic”

in 1843 in Germany. Although physicians in America was talking about childhood diseases the “father of Pediatrics” was Abraham Jacobi (1830-1919). Abraham Jacobi was a German Pediatrician, he arrived in New York in 1853 and created the Pediatrics Chair at the New York Medical College in 1861. He organized several pediatric society's, publication of pediatric journals, and developed children’s departments in several New York hospitals.The first separate pediatrics hospital was founded in Philadelphia in 1855. The Academy of Pediatrics was established in 1930 and the American Board of Pediatrics in 1933.
As of May 2012, according to BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics;Source 3) there was 30,560 pediatricians employed. However, the overall employment rate of physicians and surgeons (pediatricians included) is expected to increase by 18% between 2012 and 2022 , due to higher demands of medical services.The BLS expects high job opportunities in rural areas, since it’s very complicating finding people to work in these areas.Employment is even higher if you have a specialty (ie: radiology, cardiology, surgery). Most pediatricians work in physician offices, others work for hospitals, outpatient care, universities, and specialty hospitals. Despite the increase rate of employment, Health Care Reform improves access to health care which can cause demands for more services. This can result in cost cuts which will result in firing physicians and hiring assistants.Jobs related to pediatrics is a pediatric radiologist. They take x-rays and diagnose broken bones, tumors, etc. Another job related to this field is a Pediatric Surgeon. They provide and conduct surgery on young children. Finally infectious diseases of childhood is a related field. They find cures, treatments and even diagnose childhood diseases.
Pediatricians manages the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their patients. Pediatricians treat patients from birth to age 18, in some circumstances the age is up to 21. The duties of a pediatrician is to examine, make diagnosis and prescribe medications. They treat infections, injuries, genetic defects, malignancies, organic diseases and dysfunctions. If there is signs of a mental or behavioral development problem such as behavioral difficulties, developmental disorders, functional problems, social stress, depression or anxiety disorders they can give assessments, and even explain the next phase of child growth to the parents. They even reduce infant and child mortality rates tremendously. Pediatricians must provide tips to parents about improving eating habits, exercise and personal hygiene. Because you’re dealing with young children, Pediatricians have to rely on observational skills since some young children can’t discuss the problems they are enduring. Another duty of a Pediatrician is to keep up with immunization records. A typical work day hour when entering this career is 8am to 5pm. The average hour a week when entering this field is 50-60 hours, but an extra 4 hours is required helping out the community and spreading health awareness..An unusual work hour or schedule would be of those that is an on-call pediatrician. An on-call pediatrician are available after regular hours, this includes nights and weekends.They answer phone calls and sometimes go to the hospital and visit the sick.
The work environment of a Pediatrician is very busy and fast paced. Pediatricians may be called in for deliveries, meet an injured person, and answer questions about a sick child. The work environment must be well lit, sterile, and properly maintained. Pediatricians usually work alone, but those who are new usually work in partnerships until they have shown they are able to work alone. Another type of work environment for a pediatrician would be hospitals they make hospital rounds to check on newborn patients and their mother’s.
When it comes to a job you want to know how much you’d make. The beginning salary of a Pediatrician is about $158,748. Average salary comes it at $181,934. An exceptional salary is $217,533 and it can be even higher if you are more experienced or have a subspecialty. Expenses you might encounter in this career would be the training, cost,uniform and college fees.
Are you still interested? Majority of Pediatricians are females while 20% are males. The age range of people specializing in Pediatric care is 25-65. In order to qualify to practice in this expertise you must have all current vaccinations against infectious diseases and you can’t of course have an infectious disease. This includes but doesn’t limit to Aids/HIV, Tuberculosis, etc. You must have an outgoing, fun personality, because you’re dealing with young patients people do not like a scrooge. However, you must be determined and even sympathetic. Some may ask in order to be hired don’t you have to have experience? The answer is yes, a 3 year Pediatric residency at a hospital provides majority of the training required to be a pediatrician. Before you can complete this 3 year residency you must have your bachelor’s degree and completed medical school. All Pediatricians must be licensed to practice by passing a licensing exam in at least one of the fifty U.S States. Candidates must pass a state exam administered by the state’s board of medical examiners.The exam is called the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). It tests to see whether you have the skills to knowledge patient care and practice medicine. They are then later certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. The classes that must be taken are biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, mathematics and english.
When it comes to a job or a career there are the pros and cons .

Let’s start with the pros. The pro of being a pediatrician is the bond between you and your patients it’s unbreakable. It’s like you have hundreds of kids roaming around in the world. Another would be a higher beginning salary. Finally job security, because a pediatrician can always go into another medical field, or subspecialty in which they practice in. Now let’s go to the con. The downfall of specializing in pediatrics would be appeasing to the parent’s and avoiding lawsuits or malpractice. That’s added stress, since you know what is right for the patient, but parents feel like they know it all. Sometimes you have to work on weekends and holidays, since accidents and injuries aren’t always expected. Those medical school expenses still follow you might want to start paying it

off.
“Education is the key to success.” A post secondary school is of course required. Once completed you of course earn your bachelor’s ,and then after completing medical school you will earn your MD or DO. While in school most aspiring pediatricians major in biology, although it isn’t a specific undergraduate degree required that’s the most common one. There is training involved a 3 year residency at a hospital, but if you include college and medical school that totals up between 7 and 14 years. “I can’t afford to go to medical school” There are many medical scholarships to choose from. One specific medical scholarship website to chose from is collegescholarships.org (Source 6). One scholarship in particular would be the F. Edward He’bert Armed Forces Health Professions scholarship.It pays full tuition and books, and even includes a $20,ooo bonus for joining the program. The Davis Pediatric Scholarship administered by UNC Chapel Hill is given the 3rd year of clinical training for a student showing outstanding performance, awarding them $5,000. The Resident scholarship administered by the American Academy of Pediatrics gives between $1,000 to $5,000 to students with financial troubles that are doing exceptionally well in school.
How can I advance? The chances of advancement is 20%. Why so low? Those who are applicants for advancement are the ones with more experience, higher education and exhibits maximum performance. Advancement would require additional training and duties such as another post secondary training. Post secondary training works in various specialties such as specialized pediatric unit, neonatology, adolescent medicine, special care and intensive care. Which specialty you choose you must further your education in order to withhold this position. Every 3 to 10 years you must take an exam to ensure you still remember the information that of a pediatrician. Finally advancement can mean longer hours and shifts.
Being a Pediatrician is a wonderful experience, you must be able to put others first and be determined to make a difference. They are the roots and your child is the flower without them the flower would be unhealthy and wither away.

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