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Works Cited
American Academy of Pediatrics. American Academy of Pediatrics. n.d. 17 May 2014
<http://www.aap.org/en-us/professional-resources/practicesupport/Pages/PeriodicitySchedule.aspx>. Web.
"Profile of Pediatric Visits." American Academy of Pediatrics (2010): 1-16. Print.
Education Portal. Education Portal. 2013-2014. 17 May 2014 <http://educationportal.com/articles/Pediatrician_Degrees_Program_Overviews.html>. Web.
Education Portal. 2014. 20 May 2014 <http://educationportal.com/related_pages/q_p/page/1/q_p/pediatrician_training.html>. Web.
Ferguson. "Pediatricians." Exploring Health Care Careers. New York: Infobase Publising,
2006. 662-669. Print.
Luecke, Percy E. "NCBI." The history of pediatrics at Baylor University Medical Center
(2006): 1-9. Print.
Massengale, Oliver. "NPPS: A Brief History of the Early Years." n.d. North Pacific Pediatric
Society. 18 May 2014
<http://www.northpacificpediatricsociety.org/docs/history.pdf>. Print.
Mourtos, Stacey. Metro Parent. July 2011. 18 May 2014
<http://www.metroparent.com/Metro-Parent/July-2011/Pediatrics-Then-and-Now/>.
Web.
Pletcher, Beth A. The Pediatric Workforce: What To Expect. n.d. 17 May 2014
<http://www.aap.org/en-us/professional-resources/Pediatrics-as-aProfession/Pages/Private/The-Pediatric-Workforce-What-to-Expect.aspx>. Web.
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Sacks, Teremce J. "Pediatrics." Careers in Medicine. Lincolnwood, Illinois: VGM Career
Horizons, 1996. 118-119. Print.
Shmoop. 2014. 17 May 2014 <http://www.shmoop.com/careers/pediatrician/>. Web.
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Ferguson. (2006). Pediatricians. In Exploring Health Care Careers (pp. 662-669). New
York: Infobase Publising.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that pediatrics became an official medical specialty, in result
the first pediatric clinic to open in the United States was in New York in 1862 (Ferguson
667). Pediatricians are one of the many doctors in the medical fields; they specialize in the
health care of new born infants, children, and adolescents up to the age of 18 and sometimes
even 21 (Ferguson 662). Typically, pediatricians will every now and then see their patient
for yearly physicals. Throughout the checkups, a pediatrician will observe the child and
vaccinate them to prevent future illnesses. During the examination a patient’s heart and lungs
will be listened to for abnormal beats and wheezing or other triggers, eyes and ears will be
checked for any infections in the ear or eye illnesses, height will be taken for growth
development and weight will be weighed for health observations (Ferguson 662).
Immunizations can be done during these routines in order to prevent children from
contracting diseases such as rubella, polio, and small pox (Ferguson 662). Not only is the role
of a pediatrician to take care of the patient in their care but also to guide parents on their
child’s care and treatment, such as how to properly diet them, use effective safety precautions
and use proper hygiene (Ferguson 662-663). When a child encounters a serious disease such
as cancer, heart disease, or a serious case of asthma, pediatricians will arrange a referral to a
specialist in the area that best treats and suits the disease (Ferguson 662). In order to become
a Pediatrician, skills in biology and chemistry will be necessary. Another major factor when
considering becoming a pediatrician is being able to be around kids. When treating adults one
must be able to effectively communicate with them in order to determine what’s wrong with
the patient. Patience when trying to figure out the symptoms and emotions of a younger child
is also important (Ferguson 664). Being able to successfully use technology and new
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advances in the medical field is highly required, along with reading literature and attending
meeting in order to know advanced knowledge in the workforce (Ferguson 665). While in
High School, some important classes to take are college prep classes especially those
subjecting math and science. Biology, chemistry, any science related course and advanced
math courses will come in handy throughout the pediatrics career. Having effective
communication skills as well as being fluent in more than one language such as Spanish and
English, or French and English will help when patient’s parents need a translator and there’s
not one around the facility (Ferguson 665). When considering a pediatrician career,
volunteering at a local hospital may influence someone into whether or not that career is
suitable for them or not, by allowing them to experience what goes on in the ordinary life of a
pediatricians work area. After High School, bachelor’s degree in premedical studies will be
necessary followed by a M.D. degree, and a three year residency (Ferguson 666).
Sacks, Teremce J. "Pediatrics." Careers in Medicine. Lincolnwood, Illinois: VGM
Career Horizons, 1996. 118-119.
Typically, pediatricians will treat common infectious diseases such as throat infections,
seasonal influenzas, and respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis, and continental
abnormalities. Pediatrician are typically on duty and call twenty four hours a day and seven
days a week, due to the likeliness of a child getting sick at any instant. On average, a
pediatricians weekly hours will consist of at least 47.5 hours a week. During these hours
“65% will be devoted to office time, 19% doing hospital rounds, and 3% in a surgical room”
(Sacks 119). In line for only working in cognitive procedures in the diagnoses and treatments
of certain illnesses, pediatricians are commonly seen to be in the lowest branch of salaries
earned in the medical field. Pediatricians average a minimum of $83, 500 a year after taxes,
33 percent of these pediatricians are women (Sacks 119).
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Luecke, Percy E. "NCBI." The history of pediatrics at Baylor University Medical
Center (2006): 1-9.
The existence of pediatric care has been around for about 200 years. General medical
writings from eras ago have included diseases that occurred in children and certain treatments
such as the Ebers Papyrus which was written in 1552 BC was discovered in 1872,
Hippocrates writings on certain illnesses from 400 BC, and observations from Sopranos of
Ephesus which dates back to AD100 (Luecke 1). Although, many authors and famous
philosophers have contributed into the pediatric field only two authors have contributed to the
area the most. Thomas Sydenham whose known as the English Hippocrates, wrote on scarlet
fever, small pox, rickets, and chorea also known as St. Vitus Dance; while Edward Jenner of
the late 18th century and early 19th century contributed to the prevention of diseases through
immunizations which he found out through using an 8-year old boy as his product (Luecke
2). The care, development, and occurance of disease became more popular in the late 1700’s
and early 1800’s, specifically in Germany and in France. In 1883 in Germany, the first known
organization in pediatric speciality was the Society for Infant Therapeutics. A German
pediatrician, who emigrated to New York in 1853, Dr. Abraham Jacobi was know as the
“father of American pediatrics. Jacobi’s work was prominent due to his establishment of the
pediatrics chair in 1861, organizations for pediatric societies, and development of children’s
departments in New York hospitals (Luecke 3). Most children were attended by general
practitioners for the first decades in the 1900’s until after World War I, when pediatricians
from various locations began arriving (Luecke 8).
Shmoop. 2014. 17 May 2014 <http://www.shmoop.com/careers/pediatrician/>.
To become a pediatrician, one must go through undergrad, medical schools, interns and
residency, an overall total of about 11 years of school after high school graduation. A future
pediatric must also pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination required by state
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law. In comparison to other medical professions, becoming a pediatrician doesn’t win one the
lottery but more frequently allows an individual to get enough to live an average life.
Beginning pediatricians earn about $100,000 a year, and as a pediatrician moves their way up
they start earning from $140,000 to $160,000. While this may be seem like a little in
comaparison to other doctors, job employment can sometimes boost a pediatricians salary
earnings (Shmoop).
Adamson, Christopher. Education Portal. 2013-2014. 17 May 2014 <http://educationportal.com/articles/Pediatrician_Degrees_Program_Overviews.html>.
A pediatrician must be able to effectively communicate with patients and parents, not to
mention be able to communicate with younger children who are usually scared of medical
facilities. Their required to explain treatment for illness, sympathetic feelings are also a great
thing in a pediatrics personality. While many pediatricians are more commonly selfemployed due to their foundation of their own private practices, pediatricians are also able to
work with a governmental organization to help determine epidemic issues affecting children
around the world. In addition, a percentage of pediatricians are employed in offices of
practitioners, and hospitals. Future pediatricians are ensured a 24% increase in job outlook
from 2010-2020 as confirmed through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Education Portal).
Following their school work, doctors must legally obtain licensure every five years, requiring
the professionals to pass a licensing exam and meeting educational requirements (Education
Portal). The American Board of Medical Specialists directs general pediatricians to receive
certification through the ABP short for the American Board of Pediatricians (Education
Portal).
American Academy of Pediatrics. American Academy of Pediatrics. n.d. 17 May 2014
<http://www.aap.org/en-us/professional-resources/practicesupport/Pages/PeriodicitySchedule.aspx>.
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Major recommendations for preventive pediatric healthcare include testing newborns for
critical congenital heart disease before being released from the hospital, screening children
for dyslipidemia between 9 and 11 years, along with a second screening at 18 and 21 years of
age. Adolescents are recommended to annually test for depression between 11 and 21 years
of age, and for HIV between 16 and 18 years of age (American Academy of Pediatrics).
Pletcher, Beth A. The Pediatric Workforce: What To Expect. n.d. 17 May 2014
<http://www.aap.org/en-us/professional-resources/Pediatrics-as-aProfession/Pages/Private/The-Pediatric-Workforce-What-to-Expect.aspx>.
Over the past years it was stated that in 1991, there were 7,455 pediatric trainees on the road
to becoming a pediatrician as to in 2007 the number increase by three thousand up to 10, 517.
While two-thirds of the trainees in 2007 were females, an even greater percentage agreed on
entering general practice (Pletcher).
Massengale, Oliver. "NPPS: A Brief History of the Early Years." n.d. North Pacific
Pediatric Society. 18 May 2014
<http://www.northpacificpediatricsociety.org/docs/history.pdf>.
The establishment of a “Section on The Disease of Childhood” marked the recognition of
pediatricians in 1880 (Massengale). Prior to 1912, no source of birth records or infant deaths
were available, leading U.S. Congress to establish the Children’s Bureau; which made it
mandatory for the parents of newborns to register the birth of their children to allow infant
mortality to be recorded and known (Massengale).
Mourtos, Stacey. Metro Parent. July 2011. 18 May 2014
<http://www.metroparent.com/Metro-Parent/July-2011/Pediatrics-Then-and-Now/>.
Over the past 50 years, pediatricians health care has changed from health issues, technology
to payments. Years ago, many facilities would charge patients and only accept cash, check or
Blue Cross, now insurance companies will charge co-pays and have various types of
coverages. Over the years, the hardship for parents to try to read their pediatricians
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handwriting has changed for the better. In todays day, records are now kept electronically and
a click away. Portals are now open for patients to easily access their bills, renew
prescriptions, and even request appointments (Mourtos).
"Profile of Pediatric Visits." American Academy of Pediatrics (2010): 1-16.
From patients ranging in the ages of 0 through 21, 48.3% pay through private insurance,
24.1% through Medicaid/SCHIP, 0.7% through Medicare, 19.9% through personal payments,
and 7.0% through other ways. In 2004 through 2007, the annual average of pediatric office
visits from ages 2 through 21, was an estimate of about 8,000 sick visits and 3,000 for well
visits (American Academy of Pediatrics).