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Blog Summary
Life as a Paediatrician can be highly satisfying. It offers doctors opportunities to diagnose simple-to-complex clinical complications in children and help them to recover from ailments. Physicians who have excellent communication skills generally prefer to follow a career in child care based on the evolving needs. Professional paediatrics also take keen interest in fighting for the welfare, wellness, and safety of infants and prioritize child care objectives. They are actively involved with the formulation of public health policies for improving child care. They connect with education centres and social welfare bodies to expand the holistic care measures focused on the paediatric population. As a Paediatrician you will receive immense satisfaction in what you deliver as part of the childcare process. Your qualification and experience are important to become a children’s specialist. The more experience you gain and the higher you qualify, the more respect you will command from parents. One of the best ways to become a children’s specialist is to acquire the MRCPCH (Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health). This is a 3-year fellowship program that emphasizes clearing the MRCPCH exam. It will help doctors to build more knowledge, develop new skills, and gain experience, and finally, acquire mastery in the clinical Paediatrics specialty. The Program has been structured in such a way as to encourage and build confidence for the students to take the theory and clinical exams of MRCPCH.
Career in Pediatrics
A career in pediatrics is most suitable for physicians with a keen interest in improving the health and wellness (of children and adolescents). The physicians who follow non-judgmental approaches in medical practice also prefer to opt for a career in pediatrics to satisfy their professional goals.
A career in pediatrics offers the opportunities to vigilantly explore simple-to-complex clinical complications in children and prepare them to overcome their health care challenges. The physicians who develop excellent communication skills also prefer to establish a career in pediatrics based on the evolving needs of the child care profession.
Pediatricians are often good listeners and keen observers and possess the skills to evaluate the slightest (of details) that may improve their medical decision-making. The practicing physicians who aspire to have an adaptive lifestyle and opt for lifelong learning strategies also choose a career in the pediatrics profession.
The pediatrics career also helps the treatment providers to advocate the health, wellness, and safety of children and prioritize their care requirements. They also get several opportunities to inform the public health policies for improving the child care resources. They connect with education centers and social care organizations in many scenarios to expand the holistic care measures for the pediatric population.
The treatment providers who aspire to develop a career in pediatrics formulate the goal to integrate the principles (of bioethics) with the child care measures. They commit to using empathy as a tool to improve the overall development and well-being of the pediatric population. They also focus on targeting the complex (acquired and congenital) diseases of children and develop comprehensive strategies to improve their treatment outcomes.
A career in pediatrics further helps physicians improve the general well-being, development, and growth of children irrespective of their age groups. The qualified pediatricians also help the caretakers of impoverished and stigmatized children to mitigate their treatment challenges.
Qualified pediatricians have the authority to perform mental and physical assessments of children. They undertake annual check-ups and supervise vaccination programs in child care clinics. They expertly treat dislocations and fractures of children and support their recovery processes. They formulate meaningful care plans to improve the social, emotional, and physical development (of children) of various age groups.
They proficiently use the concepts and principles of collaborative medicine to inform the health care decisions in pediatric scenarios. They also expertly manage infections, genetic defects, and malignancies in children and help them improve their coping skills.
A career in pediatrics is financially rewarding for the doctors who do not refrain from working for extended hours in their child care centers. The average salary (of a pediatrician) with an MRCPCH (Membership of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health) degree in the United Kingdom is £121,637. The pediatricians with the MRCPCH degree also receive an average bonus (of £5097) in various medical centers.
Many pediatricians with the MRCPCH degree prefer to work independently in their private clinics and earn an amount (of £58) per hour. The average salary of a pediatrician in India ranges between INR 75,000 and 119000. A career in pediatrics further helps physicians acquire multitasking roles concerning the administration of complex medical procedures to critically ill children.
Steps for Becoming a Pediatrician
The MBBS doctors without a postgraduate degree and with extensive clinical experience have the privilege to opt for the MRCPCH degree program in pediatrics. MRCPCH course is a training program that follows the curriculum of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in the United Kingdom. GMC (General Medical Council) accredits this pediatrics degree course (since it follows the latest pediatric practice advancements). MRCPCH course adheres to the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and training measures stipulated by RCPCH.
The integral components of the MRCPCH UK course include three theoretical examinations and one clinical practice exam. The first exam based on theory is known as the FOP (Foundation of Practice) exam. The second and third assessments include TAS (Theory and Science) and AKP (Applied Knowledge and Practice) examinations.
The candidates finally need to take a clinical exam to qualify for the MRCPCH course. The students need to approach a test center to undertake the theoretical examinations. They may alternatively opt for remotely assessing the test at the convenience of their home through a computer system.
The students may opt for the theoretical exams for the fellowship in paediatrics and child health in any sequence and finally attempt the clinical MRCPCH exam. They get the privilege of appearing in each of the tests thrice annually. The successful accomplishment of MRCPCH theoretical examinations is a mandatory prerequisite for the clinical exam.
The MRCPCH candidates need to approach an allocated hospital based on twelve stations to undertake their clinical assessment. The investigators from the Royal College of Pediatrics assess the candidates’ performance in each (of the twelve clinical scenarios). RCPCH provides alternative options for a clinical examination to the candidates in the wake of the current pandemic situation.
The MRCPCH clinical exam grading system also depends on the feedback of the families, youngsters, and children who participate in the clinical practice scenarios. The clinical practice rotations and regular interactions of the MRCPCH candidates with these individuals further help improve their pediatric practice skills. The candidates subsequently qualify for level-2 and level-4 training to systematically upgrade their clinical skills in pediatric practice. MRCPCH candidates do not require qualifying for English language proficiency tests to gain eligibility for the pediatrics degree course by RCPCH.
The doctors eligible for fellowships in pediatrics have the privilege to join various accredited universities that provide three-year training in pediatrics. This training program helps candidates improve their clinical practice skills and theoretical knowledge for the pediatrics degree course. Multiple training institutes and universities provide RCPCH oriented course material to help MRCPCH degree candidates quality their pediatrics course requirements.
The clinical and educational supervisors from these institutes help MRCPCH candidates to establish their learning goals based on the prescribed curriculum. The interactive sessions with the experienced trainers prepare the MRCPCH candidates for their workplace assessments.
The candidates for the MRCPCH course or fellowship in pediatrics need to acquire child care skills and knowledge through clinical placements. They also need to access evidence-based medical literature and study research articles to improve their subject expertise and child management proficiency. MRCPCH degree candidates prefer acquiring hospital-based training for several months before appearing for their clinical exam.
The MRCPCH accredited hospitals in India and abroad offer training support to the pediatrics degree aspirants at an optimal cost. The MRCPCH degree certificate finally makes them eligible for rendering their child management services across the globe. MRCPCH pediatric consultants eventually establish high rapport in renowned medical facilities and childcare centers.
Financial Remuneration for Pediatricians
Pediatricians with the MRCPCH degree earn decent salaries in various countries based on their health care infrastructures and economic situations. Their pay packages in many scenarios exceed the income of a general practitioner and other health care experts. The pediatricians who prefer working in the United States receive an annual salary of USD 170 000.
Their compensation or salary package increases with time following their child management expertise, potential, and experience. The earnings of pediatricians also depend on their specialization, employment status, mode of working, and multidisciplinary roles.
Many pediatricians prefer working on the profile of assistant professors in medical colleges. Their pay packages depend entirely on their academic experience, nature of employment, and terms in the employment contract. The child care specialists with the MRCPCH degree earn high salaries in countries like Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia, UK, and the Middle East.
Their pediatric specializations help them gain reputation and credibility in various health care centers and medical institutes. Pediatric cardiologists earn a higher salary (than other pediatricians) in developed and developing nations (of the world). MRCPCH accredited pediatricians experienced in pediatric oncology and neonatology attain USD 250000 (annually) in the United States. MRCPCH pediatricians experienced in pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric endocrinology receive an annual package of USD 220000 per year in various medical centers across the USA.
MRCPCH pediatricians (with expertise in adolescent medicine) acquire a salary (of USD 150000 per year). MRCPCH pediatricians experienced in pediatric critical care attain the package (of USD 175000 per year). MRCPCH pediatricians skilled in child neurology and child abuse pediatrics attain annual pay packages ranging between USD 135,000-225,000 per year.
The annual pay packages of MRCPCH accredited pediatricians also depend on their overall conduct in the child care center. The well-disciplined pediatricians with expertise in undertaking the behavioral management of children often get additional compensation via bonuses and incentives. The pediatricians with good communication skills, self-confidence, and patient management expertise also become the first choice of renowned hospitals.
The pediatricians who perform various roles including, injury management, newborn medical support, and infection control, get additional remuneration from their employers. MRCPCH pediatricians engaged in military service get rewards and facilities in addition to their fixed compensations for their focused child care services.
Financial Benefits for Pediatricians Across India
The Indian health care sector provides ample professional opportunities for MRCPCH accredited pediatricians. MBBS degree holders with few years of clinical experience and an MRCPCH degree get a decent start in renowned children’s hospitals, child care centers, and medical colleges. They usually get a pay package ranging between INR6000 and 9000 per year.
The MRCPCH degree holders with substantial clinical practice experience leverage their child care skills to earn between INR12,00,000 and 15,00,000 per annum in prestigious hospitals and medical institutes. The senior MRCPCH pediatricians who take the responsibility (of managing critically ill pediatric cases) receive a hefty salary package ranging between INR13,00,000 and 17,00,000 per year.
The government/private hospitals in India also employ MRCPCH pediatricians (on short and long-term contracts) based on their child care requirements. The pediatricians who get the opportunity to work on short-term contracts receive the pay package between INR8,00,000 and 9,00,000 per annum.
The MRCPCH pediatricians with multiple specializations acquire annual salary packages ranging between INR 20,00,000 and 35,00,000 per year. The MRCPCH pediatricians who opt to render their academic services in Indian medical colleges get variable pay packages based on the duration of their jobs and contractual agreements.
The MRCPCH degree holders who opt for private practice in their self-owned clinics in India get hefty remuneration ranging between INR15,00,000 and 25,00,000 per year. These private practitioners collaborate with various laboratories, child support centers, social care organizations, and hospitals for providing quality care to pediatric populations. Many pediatricians (with the MRCPCH degree) sign professional contracts (with pediatric facilities) and serve them on an hourly or per-patient basis. These pediatricians manage to fetch financial compensation ranging between INR11,00,000 and 13,00,000 per annum.
Career Advantage and Clinical Practice Scope for Pediatricians
The pediatricians across overseas or India continue to address a range of child care requirements. They effectively manage various organic diseases, genetic conditions, traumatic episodes, dysfunctions, and fatal conditions that have an extended effect on the physiological development of children. The pediatricians in India work in railways, military services, and health care departments to strengthen their child management services.
They consistently elaborate on the unexpected developments of children and collaborate with their parents to improve their health care management. They regularly undertake physical check-ups of children and formulate evidence-based measures to improve their preventive and prophylactic care. The multiple job roles of pediatricians make their contribution highly indispensable in the medical facilities.
Many pediatricians assist the care of children by collaborating with clinicians and researchers of various disciplines. Their extended engagement in multiple child care scenarios helps improve the quality of child care services in clinical settings. The career in pediatrics proves highly rewarding for dedicated pediatricians who do not leave any stone unturned to enhance child care outcomes.
The service orientation and problem-solving skills of pediatricians further increase their career enhancement options in the health care centers. Their goal-oriented care in pediatric facilities substantially improves the treatment satisfaction levels of children and their caretakers.
The pediatricians with the MRCPCH degree also collaborate with various research centers to develop novel treatments (for a range of life-threatening pediatric complications). Their focus on evidence-based clinical practice helps them improve the child support procedures across various schools and rehabilitation centers. The pediatricians with the skills to manage medical emergencies have the professional advantage to enhance their annual compensation. The additional hours they spend in the emergency room bring them financial incentives in addition to their contracted remuneration.
The experienced pediatricians extend their services to multiple hospitals for monitoring the development and growth (of pediatric populations). They also research the growth challenges (of underdeveloped children) and recommend viable remedies to enhance their wellness and treatment outcomes.
They assist various research institutes, universities, medical colleges, and pharmaceutical companies in developing databanks incorporating pediatric conditions. They also investigate diagnostic findings to inform the clinical practice decisions in various child care facilities. Their contribution to pharmacogenomics helps scientists develop gene-targeted therapies for the pediatric population.
The pediatric surgeons expertly administer invasive medical procedures to children and youngsters. Their skilled operative care also helps mitigate a range of newborn complications. They further investigate and diagnose rare medical conditions and congenital anomalies in children that may compromise their physiological development in the future.
The neonatologists render their services in ICUs (intensive care units) to effectively manage birth illnesses, injuries, and newborn defects. They also provide delivery support and dietary care to newborns to enhance their physiological development and growth.
The pediatricians with expertise in managing the developmental behavior of children collaborate with psychotherapists for treating pediatric disabilities, mental health complications, and other medical issues. They also help manage hearing impairments, visual defects, cerebral palsy/autism, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, math disorders, dyslexia, and anxiety among children.
Pediatric cardiologists are trained experts (with the capacity) to treat vascular system deficiencies and cardiac complications in children of various age groups. Pediatric endocrinologists systematically manage hormonal problems and endocrine disorders among children. They also treat obesity, diabetes, thyroid problems, puberty delay, growth problems, and other conditions that potentially threaten the normal physiological development of children.
Pediatric orthopedists possess the skills and expertise to manage musculoskeletal system disorders and traumatic conditions in young adults and children. Many pediatricians also extend the role of public health volunteers and help improve the health care infrastructure for children and adolescents. The skilled and experienced pediatricians streamline health care resources to improve the overall care experience of children. They positively impact the development of young learners and help them reduce their risk for long-term diseases.
The MRCPCH accredited pediatricians have the privilege to render their services across the following establishments.
- Research laboratories
- Medical centers
- Public/private sector medical departments
- Training institutes
- Federal departments
- Military establishments
- Orphanages
- Industrial houses
- Health departments
- Clinics
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Trauma centers
- Rehabilitation centers
The expert pediatricians continue to leverage their skills across the below-mentioned medical specialties.
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
- Nephrology
- Neonatal/perinatal medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Hospital medicine
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- Emergency medicine
- Developmental behavioral pediatrics
- Critical care medicine
- Child abuse pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Adolescent medicine
