Who is a pediatrician?
A pediatrician is a doctor who treats newborn babies, infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. They are responsible for managing and promoting kids' overall health and well-being. Pediatricians' care begins when a child is born and can last till the child turns about 21. These medical experts diagnose and treat various health concerns in children of all ages.
What does a pediatrician do?
Pediatricians are the primary point of contact whenever your child is sick. Since pediatricians deal with children, they have a broad range of responsibilities not only limited to providing preventive care and treatment but also educating children and their parents on proper care and disease management. Some of their duties include:
- Conducting physical exams
- Performing regular wellness checkups
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries, infections, and other health concerns
- Vaccinating the children
- Prescribing medication
- Educating children and parents about their health, nutrition, safety, fitness, and development
- Referring to a specialist in cases where the care required is beyond the pediatrician's expertise
Education and training of pediatricians
To become a pediatrician, aspirants must complete a four-year undergraduate degree and study pre-medical subjects such as chemistry, biology, and physics. After completing the undergrad program, one must attend a four-year medical school. Since getting admission to medical school is highly competitive, one can gain volunteer experience or clinical healthcare experience to increase their chances of admission. To get into medical school, one must clear the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
The first two years primarily focus on classroom and laboratory training, where students study anatomy, pharmacology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, etc. The following two years involve gaining clinical experience; one learns how to diagnose and treat patients under the counsel and supervision of experienced doctors. The clinical rotation focuses on specialties such as family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics, surgery, psychiatry, gynecology, and pediatrics.
Aspiring pediatricians must complete a three-year residency in a hospital. During their residency's second and third years, one focuses on their chosen subspecialty. To practice medicine in the US, one must take a standardized national exam such as the US Medical Licensing Exam or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam. Pediatricians should consider taking the General Pediatrics Certifying Exam to get certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. To remain certified, one must undertake the certification after every seven years.
Pediatrician vs. family physician
Pediatricians and family physicians are primary care providers. They both can treat kids; however, their areas of expertise and knowledge differ. So, let's identify the difference between these two practitioners to help you decide who you should consult for your child’s needs.
Pediatricians specialize in caring for and offering preventive healthcare for children until they turn 18-21. They also have experience dealing with rare conditions in children and can provide care suited to your child’s specific needs owing to their specialized training. This expertise can help them arrive at accurate and early diagnoses without too many invasive tests. Pediatricians near you are skilled in communicating with children and can quickly build a comforting rapport to put them at ease.
A family physician is qualified to treat people of all ages – from newborns to seniors. Treating the entire family means they have access to everyone's medical records. This knowledge can help them detect genetic or hereditary conditions in the younger generation. Scheduling appointments for multiple members of the family together can be a convenient thing when you have a busy schedule. However, family physicians are less adept at treating children than pediatricians.
Pediatric subspecialties
Each pediatric subspecialty plays an essential role in improving pediatric health outcomes. Students passionate about children's health can pursue fulfilling careers in pediatrics. After beginning residency in pediatrics, medical students can become generalist pediatricians or pediatric subspecialists, each addressing specific medical issues and requiring unique talents and interests. Here are some pediatric subspecialties:
- Neonatology: Neonatologists care for infants, especially those born prematurely or with complications. They work in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), assist during high-risk deliveries, and help manage prenatal issues.
- Pediatric cardiology: Pediatric cardiologists treat heart conditions in children, including congenital disabilities and acquired diseases like Kawasaki's and rheumatic heart disease. They work with patients from infancy to young adulthood and contribute to preventing cardiac diseases linked to childhood obesity.
- Pediatric hematology/oncology: These specialists diagnose and treat childhood cancers, which improves survival rates. Because cancer treatment is long-term, these pediatricians often form strong bonds with their patients.
- Pediatric surgery: Pediatric surgeons perform various procedures on patients of all ages. They repair congenital disabilities, mend serious wounds, perform transplantations, and more, requiring extensive training in multiple surgical techniques.
- Pediatric emergency medicine and critical care: These physicians provide urgent care for children with seizures, accidents, and poisonings. They work in emergency room settings, handling various unexpected issues.
- Pediatric infectious diseases: Specialists in this field treat bacterial, viral, and fungal infections in children, addressing severe complications from illnesses like measles and chickenpox.
- Pediatric hospice and palliative medicine: This subspecialty manages the emotional and physical demands of life-threatening illnesses, aiming to improve the quality of life and comfort of children with incurable conditions.
- Pediatric pulmonology: Pediatric pulmonologists treat respiratory system issues, such as chronic asthma, cystic fibrosis, and apnea, to enhance children’s quality of life.
- Adolescent medicine: These specialists address the physical and emotional challenges of adolescents (ages 12-25), dealing with issues like sexual health, eating disorders, sports medicine, and chronic fatigue.
Each subspecialty contributes uniquely to pediatric health, inspiring hope for a healthy future for every child.
Importance of pediatricians in healthcare
Families always want their children to be the healthiest and happiest. One way to ensure this is to get your children provided with special care by a certified pediatrician. These doctors are significant in healthcare since they specialize in working with children and can understand and care for kids as they grow up.
Pediatricians play an important role in monitoring children's growth. They can prevent or diagnose developmental and learning delays, mental health concerns, and behavioral concerns. If your child is struggling with a severe or chronic condition, pediatricians can guide you on how to care for your child, thus acting as a supportive pillar in the process.
How often should you take your child to the pediatrician?
Generally, your pediatrician will be involved in your child’s healthcare right from birth. Depending on the hospital policy, the hospital where you deliver may have a pediatrician, or you can request their assistance. If your baby is born early, they will immediately be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) until they are healthy and developed enough to go home.
Your pediatrician will receive the medical records from your baby's stay in the hospital and will see your baby every two to three days after discharge. Pediatricians work with a team of specialists in complicated cases to provide comprehensive care.
The doctor will see your baby often in the first two years. For instance, in the first year of your child's birth, you must visit the pediatrician when they are two, four, six, nine, and 12 months old. After the first birthday, you can see the doctor when your child is 15, 18, and 24 months old.
Following that, you should take your child to the pediatrician annually. Additionally, you can make an appointment whenever your child is ill or if you have any health concerns.
Role of pediatricians during pregnancy
You can start looking for a pediatrician when your third trimester begins. It would help if you had sufficient time to find a pediatrician you and your partner are comfortable with and see as suitable. When you go to the hospital to deliver, many hospitals ask if you have a pediatrician. If you have one, they are present to assist you with your delivery.
Your chosen pediatrician goes through your baby's records from the hospital and observes your baby for two to three days after discharge. They will coordinate with other healthcare professionals if your child needs specialized care. You must also take your baby to the pediatrician for well-child visits.
How can parents encourage healthy lifestyle habits in children?
With restaurant portion sizes having nearly tripled in the last 30 years and sugary drinks being widely available, childhood obesity has become a growing concern. According to Dr. Nancy Krebs, Head of Nutrition at Children’s Colorado, parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s health by setting a positive example through healthy eating and active living.
Parental involvement can make a difference at school. Parents should be familiar with school food and physical activity policies and advocate for healthier changes. Avoid giving young children money for vending machines, and consider packing their lunch together using the MyPlate guide. If school lunch is preferred, review the menu and make informed choices.
At home, keep fresh fruits and vegetables available and limit the purchase of junk food. Let children choose new produce during grocery trips and encourage vegetable consumption. Planning meals and preparing healthy snacks ahead of time can make nutritious eating more manageable. Establishing a predictable schedule for meals and physical activity helps younger children form lasting healthy habits.
Eating breakfast is essential. Kids need a balanced meal to stay focused and energized. A nutritious breakfast might include protein (like eggs or yogurt), whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid sugary cereals and pastries, which can lead to overeating later in the day.
Limiting restaurant meals is also important. Home-cooked meals are generally healthier and encourage better food habits. Portion control matters—serving sizes should align with a child’s age and activity level. Nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables help kids feel fuller than high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks.
Beverage choices also impact health. Sugar-sweetened drinks, including sodas, fruit juices, and flavored teas, can add hundreds of unnecessary calories. Water is the healthiest option; kids can enjoy it more with fun tips or homemade popsicles.
Lastly, physical activity is vital. Encourage outdoor play, biking, or family hikes. Perform at least 60 minutes of activity daily, broken into short sessions. Besides fitness, active play builds social and emotional skills like cooperation and independence.
Parents can aid their children in building habits that lead to lifelong well-being by actively guiding and supporting healthy behaviors.
How to find the best pediatricians near you in Brooklyn, New York
Choosing the right pediatrician is crucial to maintaining your children's health. However, you may need help finding a good doctor who meets your needs and whom you can trust with your child's health.
Zocdoc helps you find qualified pediatric doctors near you with a simple process. You can search for the pediatrician by a particular health concern you want treatment for or the procedure on the website. Zocdoc also has a few advanced search filters for location, date, time of appointment, doctor's gender, availability, distance from your area, languages spoken by the doctor, etc. This ensures you find the right practitioner that fits your comfort and requirements.
If you need help finding pediatricians who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is available. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, but remember that each appointment can only use one insurance plan.
For those with multiple insurance plans, you can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can easily enter your secondary insurance information.
If you cannot make an in-person visit, you can book an online appointment facilitated via a video call with the doctor. You will also find all the details about the practitioners listed on this platform, such as their education and training, experience, certifications, licenses, clinical interests, etc. You can also find verified reviews about these doctors from their previous patients to help you choose a competent professional.
Zocdoc assists you with finding the right medical expert for your needs. Booking appointments with pediatricians near you on this platform is easy, quick, and free!
Pediatrician statistics in New York, US
As per a report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 34,870 pediatricians in the US. About 22,960 are employed in physicians' offices, while about 8,000 are in general medical and surgical hospitals.
As of May 2023, New York had the highest employment level of pediatricians. Some of the states in the US with the highest concentration of pediatricians were Hawaii, Rhode Island, Delaware, New York, and Vermont. Offices of physicians, followed by general medical and surgical hospitals, account for the highest level of appointments among pediatricians. The NY-NJ-PA (New York- Newark-Jersey City) metropolitan area boasts the highest level of employment for pediatricians, at approximately 4,210 pediatricians.
Sources
Crisp Regional Health Services
American University of Antigua
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
Children's Specialty Care Coalition
Learn.org
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
HealthPartners
Nemours KidsHealth
David Geffen School of Medicine
Children’s Hospital Colorado
