Pediatricians Versus Family Doctors

Why is there a need for pediatricians when regular family doctors can do their jobs just fine? Apart from the age of the patients they treat, very little can be said to distinguish pediatricians from family doctors. However, without pediatricians and their expertise in treating children, children may not grow into healthy adults. Children need specialized care and treatments, and pediatricians have been trained to provide these services.

While pediatrics is a specialty in its own right, some pediatricians choose sub-specialties within pediatrics. Neonatologists, for example, care for premature and critically ill full-term infants, while other pediatricians might specialize in infectious diseases.

Pediatricians understand that kids require different treatments and need to be approached differently from adults. Just as most kids cannot stand the taste of bitter medicines, and prefer cough syrups and other medicines with a fruity flavor, children and adolescents require physicians who understand their needs. From a medical perspective, the bodies of children and adolescents differ from those of adults. Hence, children and adolescents may not be able to handle treatments designed for adults.

Sooner or later, they'll have to get used to the bitter taste of medicine; but it doesn't have to be now. It's also the job of a pediatrician to teach children and adolescents about the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices. Aside from diagnosing diseases and illnesses, pediatricians are also tasked to provide immunizations and preventive care