A pediatrician is a doctor for children. Their chosen specialty is pediatrics. They usually see children from infancy to 18 years of age. They obtain special training for medically treating children of all age groups.

If you are about to become a new parent; you may wonder if you need a pediatrician or your family doctor can medically take care of your child. Such concerns are valid.

Family doctors are not trained to treat children. Yes, they can but treating children is not their specialty. If you are yet to find a pediatrician, use online searches to select one after due discretion. Utilize keywords such as pediatrician in Jacksonville FL (requirement and your location) to find good leads.

Pediatricians: Training and Role

Qualifications, specialization, and credentials –

Pediatricians finish four years of medical school after obtaining their under-graduation degree. Their undergrad degree is pre-med, consisting of subjects such as chemistry and biology.

They complete their 3-year residency program after graduating from medical school.

They will work under experts and obtain the necessary knowledge and skills to medically treat children. Some pediatricians further specialize as cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists, psychiatrists, or other specialists during their fellowships. They can choose any sub-specialty. Many pediatrics also choose to specialize in neonatal medicine and pediatric surgery. The fellowship training can take up to 2-6 years.

They also need to sit for their board certification exams after their residency is complete. The American Board of Pediatrics issues certifications to doctors who have completed their residencies and cleared a written exam and interview. They need recertifications every seven years.

So, when choosing a pediatrician, always check their credentials. It is best to have a board-certified pediatrician. You can find this information on the clinics’ websites. Using location-based keywords; such as pediatrician in Jacksonville FL can be very helpful to find qualified pediatricians near you.

Pediatricians work in private clinics (individual or groups practices), children’s hospitals, or general hospitals.

Choose a pediatrician with due care. Perform your research even when you find a name via a trusted referral. A doctor who is right for your friend or a family member may not be ideal for you.

Role –

A pediatrician has many responsibilities.

They treat children of all age groups; for all types of physical ailments. From common health scares to severe conditions; a pediatrician treats everything.

They also take care of wellness visits and vaccinations. Wellness visits (or well-child visits) help to track a child’s physical, mental, and emotional development. They will give vaccines to their patients and maintain records of the same.

Pediatricians also tend to emergencies such as burns, injuries, cuts, or any other health scare such as high fever, cold, insistent coughing, blood in urine or stool, objects lodged anywhere in the body, toxin ingestion, etc.

Pediatricians treat and help manage chronic medical conditions in children and teens. They also treat mental and psychological problems in their patients.

Pediatricians will recommend your child see a specialist if needed. They may make the referrals as they have a large professional circle. For instance, a teenager with depression or an eating disorder may require treatment from a specialist. If your pediatrician considers it important, he or she will recommend that you see one. They will refer specialists they consider right for the treatment.

Pediatricians also address parents’ questions. First-time parents, especially, may have tons of questions. The same applies to parents of children suffering from chronic or specific medical conditions.

Pediatricians also address their patients’ queries. This is especially true for pre-adolescents and adolescents. Your teenager may have questions, which he or she may not feel comfortable discussing with you. In such cases; access to a trusted pediatrician can be very helpful.

When you first visit the pediatrician soon after your child’s birth; you will receive the list of recommended visits for wellness checkups and vaccinations. As your child gets older, wellness pediatric visits will reduce in frequency. Of course, you should always call your pediatrician in case of emergencies.

If you choose a group practice, there will always be a doctor available to handle your child’s treatment in case your pediatrician is away for some reason. This can especially be a boon during medical emergencies.