Who are pediatricians?
Pediatricians are medical specialists with expertise in treating newborns, infants, adolescents, and young children. They can diagnose various illnesses in kids, oversee their health, provide preventive medicine, and detect physical and mental health problems that affect the development of kids. They work in different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and private clinics.
To become a specialized pediatrician, one must complete primary education at a medical school. Once they finish their primary education, they must complete a three-year residency program under professional doctors.
Pediatricians must then pass a state licensure examination to practice in their states. While some start their general practice right after the residency program, others proceed to fellowship programs for additional training to learn about specific diagnostic and treatment methods. For instance, a pediatrician may specialize in treating heart conditions in children and can perform heart tests and various other procedures. Likewise, some pediatricians get additional training in different disciplines to treat multiple diseases.
What do pediatricians do?
Pediatricians provide wellness screenings and treatment to manage numerous simple and complex health conditions in children. Some general responsibilities of a pediatrician include the following:
- Conducting physical screening exams
- Treating injuries such as bone dislocations and minor fractures
- Administering vaccinations
- Evaluating a baby's physical, mental, and emotional development
- Providing general healthcare tips and advice
- Prescribing medicines such as antibiotics and pain relievers when needed
When should a child visit a pediatrician?
The first visit to the best pediatrician near you must begin within 48-72 hours after leaving the hospital post-birth. An early visit can help to detect the baby's developmental issues and diseases at the right time.
As your child grows, the nature of these appointments evolves. You'll schedule another visit at one-month-old, followed by recurring checkups every two months until they reach the age of six months. From six to eighteen months, you'll continue to see your pediatrician every three months and then every six months up until 30 months.
Once your child reaches the age of 2.5 years, wellness checks transition to an annual schedule. However, if you have any queries about your child's health and diet, you must book an appointment with the best pediatrician near you. Timely consultation is crucial for managing the health of your child. These routine visits serve as an essential bridge between the medical team and your growing child, allowing for the continuous assessment of their health and development.
Types of pediatricians
A majority of pediatricians work as general care physicians. However, some pediatricians specialize in treating specific medical conditions. Some sub-specialties of pediatricians are as follows :
- Critical care pediatricians:
They are healthcare professionals, usually in hospital intensive care units, who treat children in unstable or critical health situations.
- Adolescent medicine specialists:
These doctors focus on the healthcare of adolescents aged 11-21 years.
- Developmental behavioral pediatricians:
They specialize in evaluating the behavioral development of teens and children. These pediatricians diagnose and treat conditions that affect the mental growth of children.
- Child abuse pediatrician:
They have the special training and skills to diagnose and evaluate children who may have experienced child abuse.
These doctors specialize in treating and diagnosing different forms of cancer in kids. They conduct various screening tests and may perform surgeries to treat a child with cancer.
- Pediatric pulmonologists:
These specialists can treat, diagnose, and manage the health conditions of kids with lung diseases and breathing issues.
- Pediatric rheumatologists:
They treat musculoskeletal disorders in adolescents and children. If your child has chronic or joint pain, there may be signs of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in kids. A pediatric rheumatologist can help address such issues.
They specialize in kidney diseases and urinary tract infections in children. Moreover, they can treat conditions that can damage the urinary system.
Neurological disorders in the childhood phase may persist even in adulthood if they remain undiagnosed or untreated. Pediatric neurologists can help treat several neurological disorders in kids.
- Pediatric endocrinologists:
They specialize in the endocrine system and treat various issues in kids, such as diabetes and hormonal fluctuations.
What to expect at the pediatrician visit?
Your pediatrician is your trusted partner in safeguarding your child's well-being from the moment they come into the world until they reach the age of 18. Over nearly two decades, your child will have routine wellness visits, each crucial to their physical and mental development.
During each wellness visit, the pediatrician undertakes a comprehensive assessment, including a physical examination, measurements of key health indicators, and an evaluation of your child's developmental progress. Immunizations or shots will also be administered per the recommended vaccination schedule, ensuring your child is protected against common diseases.
Your pediatrician is not just there for physical well-being; they are also a source of valuable guidance on health and safety practices tailored to your child's age and unique needs. These visits also allow you to discuss any queries or concerns regarding your child's health and development.
Every wellness visit is enriched with anticipatory guidance, offering insights into what you can expect in the upcoming stages of your child's life. This guidance equips you with the knowledge and resources to nurture your child's physical and mental growth.
How to find the best pediatrician near you in Somerville, MA?
Choosing the right pediatrician is very important for a child's well-being. Zocdoc can help you locate some of the best pediatricians in Somerville, Massachusetts, within minutes.
To begin, log on to Zocdoc and enter your requirements, such as your location, the specialist you seek, preferred appointment date, insurance details, etc. Zocdoc's comprehensive database will curate a list of providers matching your entered criteria.
Each professional has a unique profile where you can read about their educational qualifications, areas of interest, certifications, accreditations, awards, licensure details, and more. You can filter these profiles based on gender, hospital affiliations, spoken languages, and availability.
To further help you make a more informed choice, Zocdoc also provides access to verified reviews and ratings from previous patients treated by the specialist. Once you have selected the best pediatrician near you, you may instantly schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with them as per their availability.
Finding the right pediatrician on Zocdoc is easy, secure, and free!
Pediatric statistics for Massachusetts
As of May 2021, as per the information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, around 33,620 active pediatricians worked in different healthcare sectors in the United States.
Premature death among children, primarily from preventable causes, is an enormous loss of potential life. According to America's Health Rankings, accidents (unintentional injuries) in the U.S. are the primary cause of death in children aged 0-14, while cancer is the fourth.
The source also states that the child mortality rate between 2018 and 2020 in Massachusetts was reported to be 14.3 deaths per 100,000 children aged 1-19. It was higher among male children at around 17.3 (deaths per 100,00 children) compared to females at 11.2 (deaths per 100,000 children). It also showed that children aged 15-19 had the highest death rate with 26.1 (deaths per 100,000 children), while those aged 5-14 had the lowest at 7.6 (deaths per 100,000 children).
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
WebMD
Medical News Today
Cleveland Clinic
America's Health Rankings
Healthline
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