A promising career in pediatrics! More than ever before, people today don't just seek success – they want to work with something that makes them happy. And this is no different in the medical field. In this article you will learn a little more about pediatrics – a specialty whose postgraduate studies can be a dream for many.
Pediatrics: one of the only medical specialties that does not focus on specific diseases or body parts, but on a phase of life – childhood and adolescence.
The role of Pediatrics is to monitor the growth and development of babies, children, and adolescents. The pediatrician follows the process from breastfeeding to vaccinations, offering both preventative and curative care.
Parents and caregivers are always looking for reliable information to ensure the well-being of their children; this never changes. That's why it's so important for newly graduated doctors to be familiar with this specialty : it's a market that always has demand.
What does a pediatrician do?
Pediatrics is the medical specialty dedicated exclusively to the health of children and adolescents, providing diagnoses and treatments specific to these age groups.
However, pediatricians can work in various areas, such as emergency roomsunits intensive care , or wards , in addition to private practices – which are currently in high demand, as the search for personalized treatment is one of the trends of recent years.
Most pediatricians work in outpatient settings, treating low-complexity – which are, however, very common. After all, when it comes to concern parents'
However, if the intention is still to work in subspecialties, such as pediatric intensive care or pediatric allergy, additional training, lasting between one and three years.
After this training, a pediatrician can work in areas such as neonatology, pediatric nutrition, pediatric nephrology, pediatric neurology, pediatric infectious diseases, pediatric cardiology, among others.
What is the daily routine like for a professional with a promising career in pediatrics?
The pediatrician plays a role of building trust , both for the child and the family.
Therefore, some essential qualities are:
- Attention
- Patience
- Transparency
- Empathy
He not only treats illnesses, but also offers preventative support, guiding and monitoring his patients in a broader context, including the family environment.
The routine varies according to their specialties and workplace. For pediatricians who choose to have their own private practices, the demand is high, and it can involve closer contact between the patient's family and the doctor.
Families can even see him as a consultant in simple but relevant situations for the child's health. A good example is the introduction of solid foods that babies go through, which greatly piques the curiosity of first-time parents.
What is the salary for working in this field?
Salaries vary depending on the region of the country, working hours , and experience . The minimum wage is R$ 7,823, and can reach up to R$ 13,092.
Cities like Rio de Janeiro have a higher demand for pediatricians, with many job opportunities available.
Is the market in this area worthwhile?
According to the 2023 Medical Demographics in Brazil survey, there are 48,654 pediatricians in the country, making it the second largest medical specialty in terms of number of professionals, second only to Internal Medicine. Furthermore, the demand for pediatricians is high, both in capital cities and rural areas. Pediatrics is also the second largest specialty in terms of the number of residents, with 4,546 doctors in training.
Moreover, the target audience for this specialty usually has regular checkups, especially in the first months of life, when monthly visits to the pediatrician are recommended.
Statistics from the Brazilian public health system (SUS) show that, on average, 10 consultations are carried out per child per year, which would require 630 million consultations annually in Brazil.
Promising career in pediatrics with a postgraduate degree
The market is growing , and so is the demand for those seeking a promising career in pediatrics. Therefore, those who opt for postgraduate studies, for example, end up ahead, since it lasts less than 1 year – 3 times less than a medical residency, which takes an average of 3 years to complete (this doesn't include the time before residency, as it's necessary to go through a selection process).
Learn more about postgraduate studies in this specialty right now! CLICK HERE
