Communication Strategies Among Dental Teams

Communication Strategies Among Dental Teams

* The interplay between orthodontic forces and periodontal tissues in young patients.

Okay, so picture this: you're a kid, maybe eight years old, sitting in a big, scary chair, and someone's about to stick metal bits in your mouth. Not exactly a picnic, right? That's why, in pediatric orthodontics, effective communication isn't just a nice-to-have, it's absolutely critical. It's the difference between a cooperative patient and a terrified, kicking, screaming one.


Think about it from the dental team's perspective too. The orthodontist needs to clearly explain the treatment plan to the parents, ensuring they understand the process, the timeline, and the cost. Misunderstandings here can lead to frustration and distrust down the line. Braces work by gently applying pressure to move teeth into place Kids' dental alignment services jaw. Then, the dental assistant needs to be able to connect with the child, build rapport, and explain the steps of the procedure in a way that's age-appropriate and reassuring. Using kid-friendly language, showing empathy, and even a little humor can go a long way.


It's not just about talking at people, though. It's about active listening. Paying attention to the child's fears and concerns, acknowledging their feelings, and answering their questions honestly (without overwhelming them with technical jargon) is vital. The same goes for parents; understanding their expectations and addressing their anxieties is key to building a strong, collaborative relationship.


Ultimately, effective communication in a pediatric orthodontic setting fosters trust, reduces anxiety, and leads to better treatment outcomes. It creates a positive and supportive environment where both children and their parents feel heard, understood, and confident in the care they're receiving. And honestly, isn't that what we all want when we're sitting in that big, scary chair?

Dental teams, brimming with expertise and compassion, walk a tightrope. They need to deliver vital information, often about procedures that can seem scary, to a diverse audience. And when that audience includes children, the tightrope gets a whole lot bouncier. Tailoring communication to different age groups isn't just a nice-to-have; it's fundamental to building trust, reducing anxiety, and ultimately ensuring a successful dental experience.


Think about it: a five-year-old's world is vastly different from a pre-teen's. Explaining a filling to a kindergartener using technical jargon is a recipe for wide-eyed panic. Instead, you might describe it as "putting a little band-aid on your tooth to make it strong again." Use playful language, focus on the positive outcome (a healthy, happy smile), and maybe even incorporate a stuffed animal "patient" for a quick demonstration.


On the other hand, an eleven-year-old might appreciate a more straightforward, albeit still gentle, explanation. They're developing a sense of autonomy and understanding, so involving them in the process is key. Show them the tools, explain what they do in simple terms (avoiding overly frightening descriptions), and answer their questions honestly. Letting them choose a flavor of fluoride or pick a song to listen to during the procedure can empower them and reduce feelings of helplessness.


The key is empathy. Put yourself in their tiny shoes (or slightly larger sneakers). What would you want to know if you were in their position? What would make you feel safe and understood? By adapting your language, your tone, and your approach to suit each child's developmental stage, dental teams can transform a potentially stressful encounter into a positive learning experience. And that's a win for everyone, from the youngest patient to the most seasoned dentist.

* Preventive measures to maintain periodontal health during orthodontic treatment.

Navigating the world of dental care for your child can feel overwhelming, especially when treatment plans come into the picture. As dental professionals, we understand this, and clear communication with you, the parents, is absolutely paramount. It's not just about rattling off terms like ‘occlusal sealant' or ‘pulpotomy'; it's about making sure you truly understand what we're recommending, why we're recommending it, and how it will benefit your child's long-term oral health.


One key strategy is avoiding jargon whenever possible. Instead of saying "We need to address the distobuccal cusp fracture," we might say, "There's a small crack on the back side of one of your child's molars that we need to repair." Simple, direct language makes a world of difference. Visual aids are also incredibly helpful. Showing you an X-ray and pointing out the area of concern, or using models to demonstrate a procedure, can solidify your understanding in a way words sometimes can't.


Beyond the technical aspects, it's crucial to address your concerns and answer your questions patiently and thoroughly. We need to actively listen to what you're saying, acknowledge your anxieties, and provide reassurance. This often involves explaining the potential consequences of not treating the issue, as well as the benefits of the proposed treatment. We want you to feel empowered to make informed decisions about your child's care.


Finally, it's about creating a trusting relationship. This means being approachable, empathetic, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure you feel comfortable. It's not just a one-time conversation; it's an ongoing dialogue. Follow-up calls, written summaries, and opportunities for further discussion are all valuable tools in building that trust and ensuring everyone is on the same page when it comes to your child's dental health. Ultimately, we're partners in this, working together to ensure your child has a healthy and happy smile.

* The role of oral hygiene instructions for children and parental involvement.

Okay, so we're talking about dental teams, right? And how they communicate. One thing that's super helpful – and sometimes overlooked – is using good old visual aids and keeping the language simple when explaining procedures.


Think about it. You're a patient, maybe a little nervous already. The dentist starts throwing around terms like "distal marginal ridge" and "buccal cusp." Your eyes glaze over. But if they pulled out a diagram, pointed to the tooth, and said, "See this part here? We're going to gently smooth it down," suddenly it makes sense. Visuals are powerful. They bypass the jargon and give you a clear picture of what's happening.


And it's not just for patients! Even within the team, simplified language and visuals can prevent misunderstandings. Imagine a dental assistant prepping for a complicated root canal. Instead of just hearing "prepare the irrigation solution," a quick reference card with the exact measurements and steps, maybe even a photo of the setup, can significantly reduce errors and boost confidence.


The point is, clear communication isn't about sounding smart; it's about being understood. Visual aids and simplified language are tools that help bridge the gap between dental professionals and patients, and even improve communication between team members. It leads to a smoother, less stressful experience for everyone involved.

* Early detection and management of periodontal problems during orthodontic care.

Okay, so let's talk about the little ones. Kids in the dental chair? That's a whole different ballgame. It's not just about checking teeth; it's about navigating a minefield of anxieties and, sometimes, outright terror. Think about it: strange sounds, weird smells, someone poking around in their mouth with shiny metal things...it's a recipe for a mini-meltdown.


That's where communication becomes absolutely crucial for the dental team. It's not enough to just say "open wide." We're talking about building trust, speaking their language (which is definitely not dental jargon), and validating their feelings. If a kid says they're scared, don't brush it off. Acknowledge it! "I understand you're feeling a little nervous, that's totally okay. How about we count your teeth together?"


Distraction is your friend. Tell a story, let them hold a toy, or even just focus on their breathing. Show them the tools beforehand and explain what they do in simple terms. "This little guy just blows air to dry your tooth, like a tiny hairdryer." Make it less scary, more relatable.


And remember, patience is key. Sometimes, you have to adjust your plan. If a child is really struggling, maybe you just do a quick check and reschedule for another day. Forcing the issue can create a negative association with the dentist that lasts a lifetime. Ultimately, addressing and alleviating children's anxieties isn't just about getting the job done; it's about creating a positive experience that sets them up for a lifetime of good oral health. It's about being human, being understanding, and being a calming presence in what can be a very overwhelming situation.

* Collaboration between orthodontists and periodontists for optimal outcomes.

Okay, so let's talk about how much we actually say without saying a word, especially when we're all crammed together in an orthodontic office, right? You've got the orthodontist, the assistants, the hygienists, the front desk crew – it's a whole team effort. And while we spend a lot of time talking to patients about elastics and brackets and treatment plans, a huge chunk of how we function as a unit relies on nonverbal communication.


Think about it. The orthodontist is mid-procedure, hands deep in a patient's mouth. They might just raise an eyebrow to signal an assistant to pass them a specific instrument. No need to shout over the suction! A quick nod of the head can confirm that the assistant understood perfectly. That's efficiency, right there. And it avoids interrupting the flow of the appointment for the patient.


Beyond efficiency, nonverbal cues build trust and create a positive environment. A genuine smile from the front desk staff sets the tone for the whole visit. A reassuring pat on the shoulder from an assistant can calm a nervous patient. Even eye contact – making sure everyone feels seen and heard – contributes to a sense of teamwork and respect.


But here's the thing: misinterpreting nonverbal cues can lead to misunderstandings and stress. Maybe someone's looking down because they're concentrating, but another team member interprets it as disinterest or disapproval. That's where being aware of your own body language and actively trying to understand others comes in. It's about being mindful of your facial expressions, your posture, and your tone of voice, even when you're not actually saying anything.


So, the role of nonverbal communication in an orthodontic team? It's huge. It's about streamlining procedures, building rapport, and fostering a positive, productive work environment. It's about understanding that sometimes, what you don't say speaks volumes. And when the whole team is on the same nonverbal wavelength, that's when the real orthodontic magic happens.

Okay, so let's talk about how dental teams actually get along and make decisions together, especially when things get a little… heated. Because let's be real, in the fast-paced environment of a dental office, disagreements are bound to happen. We're talking about different personalities, varying levels of experience, and the pressure of patient care all colliding.


Conflict resolution and collaborative decision-making aren't just fancy buzzwords; they're the glue that holds a high-functioning dental team together. When disagreements arise, sweeping them under the rug doesn't work. Instead, open and honest communication is key. Think about it: is the hygienist concerned about a patient's periodontal health and wants to spend more time on scaling? Maybe the dentist feels booked solid and that's a problem. Instead of a passive-aggressive snipe, a direct, respectful conversation about patient needs and scheduling realities can lead to a solution that benefits everyone.


Collaborative decision-making means everyone at the table feels heard. It's not about one person's opinion trumping all others, but about acknowledging each team member's expertise. A dental assistant might have valuable insights into the efficiency of a procedure, while the receptionist might have a better understanding of patient anxieties. When everyone contributes, the final decision is usually stronger and better-informed.


Ultimately, healthy conflict resolution and collaborative decision-making boil down to respect. Respect for each other's roles, respect for each other's opinions, and respect for the shared goal of providing the best possible patient care. When that respect is present, even the stickiest situations can be navigated with grace and a focus on finding solutions that work for the entire team. And that, in turn, creates a more positive and productive environment for everyone, including the patients.

Communication in a dental team is like the gears in a fine watch – if one isn't meshing right, the whole thing slows down, or worse, breaks. And in today's world, we can't just rely on yelling down the hallway or scribbled notes. We've got to talk about leveraging technology to make sure everyone is on the same page and, crucially, that our patients feel heard and understood.


Think about it. A quick text message reminding a patient about an appointment drastically cuts down on no-shows. A secure online portal where patients can view their treatment plans, ask questions, and share their concerns empowers them to be active participants in their care. And internal communication tools – instant messaging, shared calendars, project management software – they can streamline the entire workflow, ensuring everything from ordering supplies to scheduling complex procedures goes smoothly.


It's not just about being efficient, though. Using technology thoughtfully can actually build stronger relationships. A personalized email following up after a procedure shows you care. A video explaining a complex treatment in simple terms can ease anxiety. These things demonstrate that you're not just seeing teeth, you're seeing a person.


Of course, there's a balance. We don't want to hide behind screens. A genuine smile and a listening ear are still vital. But by thoughtfully integrating technology into our communication strategies, we can create a more efficient, more engaged, and ultimately, more human experience for our patients and our team. It's about using these tools to enhance, not replace, the personal touch that makes a great dental practice.

 

Pediatrics
A pediatrician examines a neonate.
Focus Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Subdivisions Paediatric cardiology, neonatology, critical care, pediatric oncology, hospital medicine, primary care, others (see below)
Significant diseases Congenital diseases, Infectious diseases, Childhood cancer, Mental disorders
Significant tests World Health Organization Child Growth Standards
Specialist Pediatrician
Glossary Glossary of medicine

Pediatrics (American English) also spelled paediatrics (British English), is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, pediatrics covers many of their youth until the age of 18.[1] The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people seek pediatric care through the age of 21, but some pediatric subspecialists continue to care for adults up to 25.[2][3] Worldwide age limits of pediatrics have been trending upward year after year.[4] A medical doctor who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician, or paediatrician. The word pediatrics and its cognates mean "healer of children", derived from the two Greek words: παá¿–ς (pais "child") and á¼°ατρÏŒς (iatros "doctor, healer"). Pediatricians work in clinics, research centers, universities, general hospitals and children's hospitals, including those who practice pediatric subspecialties (e.g. neonatology requires resources available in a NICU).

History

[edit]
Part of Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, United Kingdom, which was the first pediatric hospital in the English-speaking world.

The earliest mentions of child-specific medical problems appear in the Hippocratic Corpus, published in the fifth century B.C., and the famous Sacred Disease. These publications discussed topics such as childhood epilepsy and premature births. From the first to fourth centuries A.D., Greek philosophers and physicians Celsus, Soranus of Ephesus, Aretaeus, Galen, and Oribasius, also discussed specific illnesses affecting children in their works, such as rashes, epilepsy, and meningitis.[5] Already Hippocrates, Aristotle, Celsus, Soranus, and Galen[6] understood the differences in growing and maturing organisms that necessitated different treatment: Ex toto non sic pueri ut viri curari debent ("In general, boys should not be treated in the same way as men").[7] Some of the oldest traces of pediatrics can be discovered in Ancient India where children's doctors were called kumara bhrtya.[6]

Even though some pediatric works existed during this time, they were scarce and rarely published due to a lack of knowledge in pediatric medicine. Sushruta Samhita, an ayurvedic text composed during the sixth century BCE, contains the text about pediatrics.[8] Another ayurvedic text from this period is Kashyapa Samhita.[9][10] A second century AD manuscript by the Greek physician and gynecologist Soranus of Ephesus dealt with neonatal pediatrics.[11] Byzantine physicians Oribasius, Aëtius of Amida, Alexander Trallianus, and Paulus Aegineta contributed to the field.[6] The Byzantines also built brephotrophia (crêches).[6] Islamic Golden Age writers served as a bridge for Greco-Roman and Byzantine medicine and added ideas of their own, especially Haly Abbas, Yahya Serapion, Abulcasis, Avicenna, and Averroes. The Persian philosopher and physician al-Razi (865–925), sometimes called the father of pediatrics, published a monograph on pediatrics titled Diseases in Children.[12][13] Also among the first books about pediatrics was Libellus [Opusculum] de aegritudinibus et remediis infantium 1472 ("Little Book on Children Diseases and Treatment"), by the Italian pediatrician Paolo Bagellardo.[14][5] In sequence came Bartholomäus Metlinger's Ein Regiment der Jungerkinder 1473, Cornelius Roelans (1450–1525) no title Buchlein, or Latin compendium, 1483, and Heinrich von Louffenburg (1391–1460) Versehung des Leibs written in 1429 (published 1491), together form the Pediatric Incunabula, four great medical treatises on children's physiology and pathology.[6]

While more information about childhood diseases became available, there was little evidence that children received the same kind of medical care that adults did.[15] It was during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that medical experts started offering specialized care for children.[5] The Swedish physician Nils Rosén von Rosenstein (1706–1773) is considered to be the founder of modern pediatrics as a medical specialty,[16][17] while his work The diseases of children, and their remedies (1764) is considered to be "the first modern textbook on the subject".[18] However, it was not until the nineteenth century that medical professionals acknowledged pediatrics as a separate field of medicine. The first pediatric-specific publications appeared between the 1790s and the 1920s.[19]

Etymology

[edit]

The term pediatrics was first introduced in English in 1859 by Abraham Jacobi. In 1860, he became "the first dedicated professor of pediatrics in the world."[20] Jacobi is known as the father of American pediatrics because of his many contributions to the field.[21][22] He received his medical training in Germany and later practiced in New York City.[23]

The first generally accepted pediatric hospital is the Hôpital des Enfants Malades (French: Hospital for Sick Children), which opened in Paris in June 1802 on the site of a previous orphanage.[24] From its beginning, this famous hospital accepted patients up to the age of fifteen years,[25] and it continues to this day as the pediatric division of the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, created in 1920 by merging with the nearby Necker Hospital, founded in 1778.[26]

In other European countries, the Charité (a hospital founded in 1710) in Berlin established a separate Pediatric Pavilion in 1830, followed by similar institutions at Saint Petersburg in 1834, and at Vienna and Breslau (now WrocÅ‚aw), both in 1837. In 1852 Britain's first pediatric hospital, the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street was founded by Charles West.[24] The first Children's hospital in Scotland opened in 1860 in Edinburgh.[27] In the US, the first similar institutions were the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, which opened in 1855, and then Boston Children's Hospital (1869).[28] Subspecialties in pediatrics were created at the Harriet Lane Home at Johns Hopkins by Edwards A. Park.[29]

Differences between adult and pediatric medicine

[edit]

The body size differences are paralleled by maturation changes. The smaller body of an infant or neonate is substantially different physiologically from that of an adult. Congenital defects, genetic variance, and developmental issues are of greater concern to pediatricians than they often are to adult physicians. A common adage is that children are not simply "little adults". The clinician must take into account the immature physiology of the infant or child when considering symptoms, prescribing medications, and diagnosing illnesses.[30]

Pediatric physiology directly impacts the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs that enter the body. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of medications differ between developing children and grown adults.[30][31][32] Despite completed studies and reviews, continual research is needed to better understand how these factors should affect the decisions of healthcare providers when prescribing and administering medications to the pediatric population.[30]

Absorption

[edit]

Many drug absorption differences between pediatric and adult populations revolve around the stomach. Neonates and young infants have increased stomach pH due to decreased acid secretion, thereby creating a more basic environment for drugs that are taken by mouth.[31][30][32] Acid is essential to degrading certain oral drugs before systemic absorption. Therefore, the absorption of these drugs in children is greater than in adults due to decreased breakdown and increased preservation in a less acidic gastric space.[31]

Children also have an extended rate of gastric emptying, which slows the rate of drug absorption.[31][32]

Drug absorption also depends on specific enzymes that come in contact with the oral drug as it travels through the body. Supply of these enzymes increase as children continue to develop their gastrointestinal tract.[31][32] Pediatric patients have underdeveloped proteins, which leads to decreased metabolism and increased serum concentrations of specific drugs. However, prodrugs experience the opposite effect because enzymes are necessary for allowing their active form to enter systemic circulation.[31]

Distribution

[edit]

Percentage of total body water and extracellular fluid volume both decrease as children grow and develop with time. Pediatric patients thus have a larger volume of distribution than adults, which directly affects the dosing of hydrophilic drugs such as beta-lactam antibiotics like ampicillin.[31] Thus, these drugs are administered at greater weight-based doses or with adjusted dosing intervals in children to account for this key difference in body composition.[31][30]

Infants and neonates also have fewer plasma proteins. Thus, highly protein-bound drugs have fewer opportunities for protein binding, leading to increased distribution.[30]

Metabolism

[edit]

Drug metabolism primarily occurs via enzymes in the liver and can vary according to which specific enzymes are affected in a specific stage of development.[31] Phase I and Phase II enzymes have different rates of maturation and development, depending on their specific mechanism of action (i.e. oxidation, hydrolysis, acetylation, methylation, etc.). Enzyme capacity, clearance, and half-life are all factors that contribute to metabolism differences between children and adults.[31][32] Drug metabolism can even differ within the pediatric population, separating neonates and infants from young children.[30]

Elimination

[edit]

Drug elimination is primarily facilitated via the liver and kidneys.[31] In infants and young children, the larger relative size of their kidneys leads to increased renal clearance of medications that are eliminated through urine.[32] In preterm neonates and infants, their kidneys are slower to mature and thus are unable to clear as much drug as fully developed kidneys. This can cause unwanted drug build-up, which is why it is important to consider lower doses and greater dosing intervals for this population.[30][31] Diseases that negatively affect kidney function can also have the same effect and thus warrant similar considerations.[31]

Pediatric autonomy in healthcare

[edit]

A major difference between the practice of pediatric and adult medicine is that children, in most jurisdictions and with certain exceptions, cannot make decisions for themselves. The issues of guardianship, privacy, legal responsibility, and informed consent must always be considered in every pediatric procedure. Pediatricians often have to treat the parents and sometimes, the family, rather than just the child. Adolescents are in their own legal class, having rights to their own health care decisions in certain circumstances. The concept of legal consent combined with the non-legal consent (assent) of the child when considering treatment options, especially in the face of conditions with poor prognosis or complicated and painful procedures/surgeries, means the pediatrician must take into account the desires of many people, in addition to those of the patient.[citation needed]

History of pediatric autonomy

[edit]

The term autonomy is traceable to ethical theory and law, where it states that autonomous individuals can make decisions based on their own logic.[33] Hippocrates was the first to use the term in a medical setting. He created a code of ethics for doctors called the Hippocratic Oath that highlighted the importance of putting patients' interests first, making autonomy for patients a top priority in health care.[34]  

In ancient times, society did not view pediatric medicine as essential or scientific.[35] Experts considered professional medicine unsuitable for treating children. Children also had no rights. Fathers regarded their children as property, so their children's health decisions were entrusted to them.[5] As a result, mothers, midwives, "wise women", and general practitioners treated the children instead of doctors.[35] Since mothers could not rely on professional medicine to take care of their children, they developed their own methods, such as using alkaline soda ash to remove the vernix at birth and treating teething pain with opium or wine. The absence of proper pediatric care, rights, and laws in health care to prioritize children's health led to many of their deaths. Ancient Greeks and Romans sometimes even killed healthy female babies and infants with deformities since they had no adequate medical treatment and no laws prohibiting infanticide.[5]

In the twentieth century, medical experts began to put more emphasis on children's rights. In 1989, in the United Nations Rights of the Child Convention, medical experts developed the Best Interest Standard of Child to prioritize children's rights and best interests. This event marked the onset of pediatric autonomy. In 1995, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) finally acknowledged the Best Interest Standard of a Child as an ethical principle for pediatric decision-making, and it is still being used today.[34]

Parental authority and current medical issues

[edit]

The majority of the time, parents have the authority to decide what happens to their child. Philosopher John Locke argued that it is the responsibility of parents to raise their children and that God gave them this authority. In modern society, Jeffrey Blustein, modern philosopher and author of the book Parents and Children: The Ethics of Family, argues that parental authority is granted because the child requires parents to satisfy their needs. He believes that parental autonomy is more about parents providing good care for their children and treating them with respect than parents having rights.[36] The researcher Kyriakos Martakis, MD, MSc, explains that research shows parental influence negatively affects children's ability to form autonomy. However, involving children in the decision-making process allows children to develop their cognitive skills and create their own opinions and, thus, decisions about their health. Parental authority affects the degree of autonomy the child patient has. As a result, in Argentina, the new National Civil and Commercial Code has enacted various changes to the healthcare system to encourage children and adolescents to develop autonomy. It has become more crucial to let children take accountability for their own health decisions.[37]

In most cases, the pediatrician, parent, and child work as a team to make the best possible medical decision. The pediatrician has the right to intervene for the child's welfare and seek advice from an ethics committee. However, in recent studies, authors have denied that complete autonomy is present in pediatric healthcare. The same moral standards should apply to children as they do to adults. In support of this idea is the concept of paternalism, which negates autonomy when it is in the patient's interests. This concept aims to keep the child's best interests in mind regarding autonomy. Pediatricians can interact with patients and help them make decisions that will benefit them, thus enhancing their autonomy. However, radical theories that question a child's moral worth continue to be debated today.[37] Authors often question whether the treatment and equality of a child and an adult should be the same. Author Tamar Schapiro notes that children need nurturing and cannot exercise the same level of authority as adults.[38] Hence, continuing the discussion on whether children are capable of making important health decisions until this day.

Modern advancements

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According to the Subcommittee of Clinical Ethics of the Argentinean Pediatric Society (SAP), children can understand moral feelings at all ages and can make reasonable decisions based on those feelings. Therefore, children and teens are deemed capable of making their own health decisions when they reach the age of 13. Recently, studies made on the decision-making of children have challenged that age to be 12.[37]

Technology has made several modern advancements that contribute to the future development of child autonomy, for example, unsolicited findings (U.F.s) of pediatric exome sequencing. They are findings based on pediatric exome sequencing that explain in greater detail the intellectual disability of a child and predict to what extent it will affect the child in the future. Genetic and intellectual disorders in children make them incapable of making moral decisions, so people look down upon this kind of testing because the child's future autonomy is at risk. It is still in question whether parents should request these types of testing for their children. Medical experts argue that it could endanger the autonomous rights the child will possess in the future. However, the parents contend that genetic testing would benefit the welfare of their children since it would allow them to make better health care decisions.[39] Exome sequencing for children and the decision to grant parents the right to request them is a medically ethical issue that many still debate today.

Education requirements

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Aspiring medical students will need 4 years of undergraduate courses at a college or university, which will get them a BS, BA or other bachelor's degree. After completing college, future pediatricians will need to attend 4 years of medical school (MD/DO/MBBS) and later do 3 more years of residency training, the first year of which is called "internship." After completing the 3 years of residency, physicians are eligible to become certified in pediatrics by passing a rigorous test that deals with medical conditions related to young children.[citation needed]

In high school, future pediatricians are required to take basic science classes such as biology, chemistry, physics, algebra, geometry, and calculus. It is also advisable to learn a foreign language (preferably Spanish in the United States) and be involved in high school organizations and extracurricular activities. After high school, college students simply need to fulfill the basic science course requirements that most medical schools recommend and will need to prepare to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) in their junior or early senior year in college. Once attending medical school, student courses will focus on basic medical sciences like human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, etc., for the first three years, the second year of which is when medical students start to get hands-on experience with actual patients.[40]

Training of pediatricians

[edit]
Pediatrics
Occupation
Names
  • Pediatrician
  • Paediatrician
Occupation type
Specialty
Activity sectors
Medicine
Description
Education required
  • Doctor of Medicine
  • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS/MBChB)
Fields of
employment
Hospitals, Clinics

The training of pediatricians varies considerably across the world. Depending on jurisdiction and university, a medical degree course may be either undergraduate-entry or graduate-entry. The former commonly takes five or six years and has been usual in the Commonwealth. Entrants to graduate-entry courses (as in the US), usually lasting four or five years, have previously completed a three- or four-year university degree, commonly but by no means always in sciences. Medical graduates hold a degree specific to the country and university in and from which they graduated. This degree qualifies that medical practitioner to become licensed or registered under the laws of that particular country, and sometimes of several countries, subject to requirements for "internship" or "conditional registration".

Pediatricians must undertake further training in their chosen field. This may take from four to eleven or more years depending on jurisdiction and the degree of specialization.

In the United States, a medical school graduate wishing to specialize in pediatrics must undergo a three-year residency composed of outpatient, inpatient, and critical care rotations. Subspecialties within pediatrics require further training in the form of 3-year fellowships. Subspecialties include critical care, gastroenterology, neurology, infectious disease, hematology/oncology, rheumatology, pulmonology, child abuse, emergency medicine, endocrinology, neonatology, and others.[41]

In most jurisdictions, entry-level degrees are common to all branches of the medical profession, but in some jurisdictions, specialization in pediatrics may begin before completion of this degree. In some jurisdictions, pediatric training is begun immediately following the completion of entry-level training. In other jurisdictions, junior medical doctors must undertake generalist (unstreamed) training for a number of years before commencing pediatric (or any other) specialization. Specialist training is often largely under the control of 'pediatric organizations (see below) rather than universities and depends on the jurisdiction.

Subspecialties

[edit]

Subspecialties of pediatrics include:

(not an exhaustive list)

  • Addiction medicine (multidisciplinary)
  • Adolescent medicine
  • Child abuse pediatrics
  • Clinical genetics
  • Clinical informatics
  • Developmental-behavioral pediatrics
  • Headache medicine
  • Hospital medicine
  • Medical toxicology
  • Metabolic medicine
  • Neonatology/Perinatology
  • Pain medicine (multidisciplinary)
  • Palliative care (multidisciplinary)
  • Pediatric allergy and immunology
  • Pediatric cardiology
    • Pediatric cardiac critical care
  • Pediatric critical care
    • Neurocritical care
    • Pediatric cardiac critical care
  • Pediatric emergency medicine
  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Pediatric gastroenterology
    • Transplant hepatology
  • Pediatric hematology
  • Pediatric infectious disease
  • Pediatric nephrology
  • Pediatric oncology
    • Pediatric neuro-oncology
  • Pediatric pulmonology
  • Primary care
  • Pediatric rheumatology
  • Sleep medicine (multidisciplinary)
  • Social pediatrics
  • Sports medicine

Other specialties that care for children

[edit]

(not an exhaustive list)

  • Child neurology
    • Addiction medicine (multidisciplinary)
    • Brain injury medicine
    • Clinical neurophysiology
    • Epilepsy
    • Headache medicine
    • Neurocritical care
    • Neuroimmunology
    • Neuromuscular medicine
    • Pain medicine (multidisciplinary)
    • Palliative care (multidisciplinary)
    • Pediatric neuro-oncology
    • Sleep medicine (multidisciplinary)
  • Child and adolescent psychiatry, subspecialty of psychiatry
  • Neurodevelopmental disabilities
  • Pediatric anesthesiology, subspecialty of anesthesiology
  • Pediatric dentistry, subspecialty of dentistry
  • Pediatric dermatology, subspecialty of dermatology
  • Pediatric gynecology
  • Pediatric neurosurgery, subspecialty of neurosurgery
  • Pediatric ophthalmology, subspecialty of ophthalmology
  • Pediatric orthopedic surgery, subspecialty of orthopedic surgery
  • Pediatric otolaryngology, subspecialty of otolaryngology
  • Pediatric plastic surgery, subspecialty of plastic surgery
  • Pediatric radiology, subspecialty of radiology
  • Pediatric rehabilitation medicine, subspecialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation
  • Pediatric surgery, subspecialty of general surgery
  • Pediatric urology, subspecialty of urology

See also

[edit]
  • American Academy of Pediatrics
  • American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics
  • Center on Media and Child Health (CMCH)
  • Children's hospital
  • List of pediatric organizations
  • List of pediatrics journals
  • Medical specialty
  • Pediatric Oncall
  • Pain in babies
  • Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
  • Pediatric environmental health

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "Choosing a Pediatrician for Your New Baby (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth". kidshealth.org. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
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  4. ^ Sawyer, Susan M.; McNeil, Robyn; Francis, Kate L.; Matskarofski, Juliet Z.; Patton, George C.; Bhutta, Zulfiqar A.; Esangbedo, Dorothy O.; Klein, Jonathan D. (1 November 2019). "The age of paediatrics". The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. 3 (11): 822–830. doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30266-4. ISSN 2352-4642. PMID 31542355. S2CID 202732818.
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  7. ^ Celsus, De Medicina, Book 3, Chapter 7, § 1.
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  12. ^ Elgood, Cyril (2010). A Medical History of Persia and The Eastern Caliphate (1st ed.). London: Cambridge. pp. 202–203. ISBN 978-1-108-01588-2. By writing a monograph on 'Diseases in Children' he may also be looked upon as the father of paediatrics.
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  15. ^ Stern, Alexandra Minna; Markel, Howard (2002). Formative Years: Children's Health in the United States, 1880-2000. University of Michigan Press. pp. 23–24. doi:10.3998/mpub.17065. ISBN 978-0-472-02503-9. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  16. ^ Lock, Stephen; John M. Last; George Dunea (2001). The Oxford illustrated companion to medicine. Oxford University Press US. p. 173. ISBN 978-0-19-262950-0. Retrieved 9 July 2010. Rosen von Rosenstein.
  17. ^ Roberts, Michael (2003). The Age of Liberty: Sweden 1719–1772. Cambridge University Press. p. 216. ISBN 978-0-521-52707-1. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  18. ^ Dallas, John. "Classics of Child Care". Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  19. ^ Duffin, Jacalyn (29 May 2010). History of Medicine, Second Edition: A Scandalously Short Introduction. University of Toronto Press.
  20. ^ Stern, Alexandra Minna; Markel, Howard (2002). Formative Years: Children's Health in the United States, 1880-2000. University of Michigan Press. pp. 23–24. doi:10.3998/mpub.17065. ISBN 978-0-472-02503-9. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Broadribb's Introductory Pediatric Nursing". Nancy T. Hatfield (2007). p.4. ISBN 0-7817-7706-2
  22. ^ "Jacobi Medical Center - General Information". Archived from the original on 18 April 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2006.
  23. ^ Kutzsche, Stefan (8 April 2021). "Abraham Jacobi (1830–1919) and his transition from political to medical activist". Acta Paediatrica. 110 (8): 2303–2305. doi:10.1111/apa.15887. ISSN 0803-5253. PMID 33963612. S2CID 233998658. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  24. ^ a b Ballbriga, Angel (1991). "One century of pediatrics in Europe (section: development of pediatric hospitals in Europe)". In Nichols, Burford L.; et al. (eds.). History of Paediatrics 1850–1950. Nestlé Nutrition Workshop Series. Vol. 22. New York: Raven Press. pp. 6–8. ISBN 0-88167-695-0.
  25. ^ official history site (in French) of nineteenth century paediatric hospitals in Paris
  26. ^ "Introducing the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital". Hôpital des Necker-Enfants Malades.
  27. ^ Young, D.G. (August 1999). "The Mason Brown Lecture: Scots and paediatric surgery". Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh. 44 (4): 211–5. PMID 10453141. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
  28. ^ Pearson, Howard A. (1991). "Pediatrics in the United States". In Nichols, Burford L.; et al. (eds.). History of Paediatrics 1850–1950. Nestlé Nutrition Workshop Series. Vol. 22. New York: Raven Press. pp. 55–63. ISBN 0-88167-695-0.
  29. ^ "Commentaries: Edwards A Park". Pediatrics. 44 (6). American Academy of Pediatrics: 897–901. 1969. doi:10.1542/peds.44.6.897. PMID 4903838. S2CID 43298798.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h O'Hara, Kate (2016). "Paediatric pharmacokinetics and drug doses". Australian Prescriber. 39 (6): 208–210. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.071. ISSN 0312-8008. PMC 5155058. PMID 27990048.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Wagner, Jonathan; Abdel-Rahman, Susan M. (2013). "Pediatric pharmacokinetics". Pediatrics in Review. 34 (6): 258–269. doi:10.1542/pir.34-6-258. ISSN 1526-3347. PMID 23729775.
  32. ^ a b c d e f Batchelor, Hannah Katharine; Marriott, John Francis (2015). "Paediatric pharmacokinetics: key considerations". British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 79 (3): 395–404. doi:10.1111/bcp.12267. ISSN 1365-2125. PMC 4345950. PMID 25855821.
  33. ^ Katz, Aviva L.; Webb, Sally A.; COMMITTEE ON BIOETHICS; Macauley, Robert C.; Mercurio, Mark R.; Moon, Margaret R.; Okun, Alexander L.; Opel, Douglas J.; Statter, Mindy B. (1 August 2016). "Informed Consent in Decision-Making in Pediatric Practice". Pediatrics. 138 (2): e20161485. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-1485. ISSN 0031-4005. PMID 27456510. S2CID 7951515.
  34. ^ a b Mazur, Kate A.; Berg, Stacey L., eds. (2020). Ethical Issues in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. pp. 13–21. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-22684-8. ISBN 978-3-030-22683-1. S2CID 208302429.
  35. ^ a b Stern, Alexandra Minna; Markel, Howard (2002). Formative Years: Children's Health in the United States, 1880-2000. University of Michigan Press. pp. 23–24. doi:10.3998/mpub.17065. ISBN 978-0-472-02503-9. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  36. ^ Friedman, Lainie Ross (2004). Children, families, and health care decision making. Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-925154-1. OCLC 756393117.
  37. ^ a b c Martakis, K.; Schröder-Bäck, P.; Brand, H. (1 June 2018). "Developing child autonomy in pediatric healthcare: towards an ethical model". Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria. 116 (3): e401 – e408. doi:10.5546/aap.2018.eng.e401. ISSN 0325-0075. PMID 29756714. S2CID 46889502.
  38. ^ Schapiro, Tamar (1 July 1999). "What Is a Child?". Ethics. 109 (4): 715–738. doi:10.1086/233943. ISSN 0014-1704. S2CID 170129444. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  39. ^ Dondorp, W.; Bolt, I.; Tibben, A.; De Wert, G.; Van Summeren, M. (1 September 2021). "'We Should View Him as an Individual': The Role of the Child's Future Autonomy in Shared Decision-Making About Unsolicited Findings in Pediatric Exome Sequencing". Health Care Analysis. 29 (3): 249–261. doi:10.1007/s10728-020-00425-7. ISSN 1573-3394. PMID 33389383. S2CID 230112761.
  40. ^ "What Education Is Required to Be a Pediatrician?". Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  41. ^ "CoPS". www.pedsubs.org. Archived from the original on 18 September 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2015.

Further reading

[edit]
  • BMC Pediatrics - open access
  • Clinical Pediatrics
  • Developmental Review - partial open access
  • JAMA Pediatrics
  • The Journal of Pediatrics - partial open access
[edit]
  • Pediatrics Directory at Curlie
  • Pediatric Health Directory at OpenMD

 

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