The Rewards of Working in Paediatrics

More young doctors are warming to the idea of working in Paediatrics. With many rewarding and beneficial aspects, it is hard to see why previous generations have shunned working as a paediatrician. But what are these benefits, and why are younger people becoming more interested in working in this department? This article explores the benefits, rewards, and the challenges of working in Paediatrics and comparing this to other doctor work.


Responsibilities

As a paediatrician, you enjoy varying day to day responsibilities including 24 hour care service for A&E and inpatients, consultations for outpatients, and advice sessions for outside agencies such as education and social services.

The sheer diversity of the patients in a Paediatrics department means that Paediatricians have to learn the necessary skills to respond to a range of age groups from babies up to early teenagers.

As a progressive speciality, Paediatricians can enjoy flexible training and working, as well as not being stuck in the same department day in day out, as paediatricians are often called out to partake in clinic and community work each day.

As in every medicinal department, in Paediatrics you will work within a main team of medical staff. You will also have the opportunity to work with an external team of individuals made up of teachers, social workers, physiotherapists, speech therapists, and dieticians.


Care

Whilst treating their children, a major part of a paediatricians work revolves around supporting families. Most doctors in this department find this part of their job extremely rewarding. The patient group can also be very entertaining.


Future Prospects

If you don’t like the idea of a future as a consultant, working in paediatrics provides more opportunities further down the career path including becoming a staff grade doctor or an associate specialist.



Challenges

Obviously, working as a doctor can be emotionally straining for most, but Paediatrics is perhaps one of the hardest departments to work for on the day that events don’t go to plan. Managing severe illnesses in children has a whole list of emotional challenges which Paediatricians have to conquer each day.


Expansion

Paediatrics is a forward thinking, flexible department with research and teaching set to expand in the near future. More departments are opening in NHS and Private Hospitals throughout the UK, with younger doctors being more attracted towards this kind of work.