2 answers
Aheli
Student
Carmel, Indiana
2
Questions
Updated
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What does a typical work day look like for a pediatrician?
I am a middle schooler who is doing a career project and I need input from someone in the career I want to pursue.
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2 answers
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
160
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
There is no "typical" day for a pediatrician. There are many types of practice.
A general pediatrician usually sees many patients each work day in their clinic - for both well-child care and for minor acute illnesses and injuries. They need to do parent teaching, developmental and mental health screenings, healthy habit counseling, sports participation physicals, and a lot of question answering from concerned parents. Few pediatricians are in solo practice. Most are in small to large groups, although they usually have their own primary patients that they see when they are able.
Hospitalist pediatricians work to care for patients admitted to the hospital. Some work only nights ("nocturnists"), while most have both day and night and weekend shifts. They interact with primary pediatricians to assure good continuity of care. Many of these physicians are in academic centers, so often teach medical students and residents. They may or may not care for patients with primarily surgical diagnoses. They consult subspecialists as needed for particular illnesses.
Subspecialist pediatricians complete 3+ years of fellowship training after the three years of pediatric residency so they can focus on the care of patients with specific types of conditions. Cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, endocrinology, infectious disease, critical care (my specialty), rheumatology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology...
Pediatric neurology and Pediatric rehabilitation require that one also does residencies in Neurology or Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine.
Subspecialists usually follow patients both in the outpatient and inpatient settings. They usually work in academic centers, so usually have research and teaching responsibilities in addition to caring for patients.
A general pediatrician usually sees many patients each work day in their clinic - for both well-child care and for minor acute illnesses and injuries. They need to do parent teaching, developmental and mental health screenings, healthy habit counseling, sports participation physicals, and a lot of question answering from concerned parents. Few pediatricians are in solo practice. Most are in small to large groups, although they usually have their own primary patients that they see when they are able.
Hospitalist pediatricians work to care for patients admitted to the hospital. Some work only nights ("nocturnists"), while most have both day and night and weekend shifts. They interact with primary pediatricians to assure good continuity of care. Many of these physicians are in academic centers, so often teach medical students and residents. They may or may not care for patients with primarily surgical diagnoses. They consult subspecialists as needed for particular illnesses.
Subspecialist pediatricians complete 3+ years of fellowship training after the three years of pediatric residency so they can focus on the care of patients with specific types of conditions. Cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, endocrinology, infectious disease, critical care (my specialty), rheumatology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology...
Pediatric neurology and Pediatric rehabilitation require that one also does residencies in Neurology or Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine.
Subspecialists usually follow patients both in the outpatient and inpatient settings. They usually work in academic centers, so usually have research and teaching responsibilities in addition to caring for patients.
Rita Chuang
Physician
259
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
I am not a pediatrician but I am a family practice physician. I believe our jobs are similar in that we both are seeing patients. For pediatrics, you will be seeing several patients a day. Some will be wellness visits and updating vaccinations and making sure the children are reaching their milestones (are they reading, walking, talking at the age they are suppose to?). You will need to counsel patients-kids having problems with bullying, maybe child abuse etc. You will see sick patients which is probably most of the patients. You will need to review labs, Xrays, notes from specialists, and return telephone calls from parents. Depending on your job, you may be required to go to the hospital. Perhaps a fellow OB-Gyn physician will deliver a baby and you will be there to take care of the baby. You may need to perform minor surgery like a circumcision. One of the benefits is that you will be seeing your patient grow.