The Daily Schedule Of A Paediatrician

The daily routine for paediatricians includes following up with their hospital patients on a daily basis in order to examine them and order further management. The patients are kept in hospital and discharged when they have improved or they are referred to rehabilitation facilities for further management. Paediatricians may also have patients admitted in the intensive care units (ICUs) and they will be managed 1-2 times a day according to the patient's health needs. These specialist's offices are usually situated in the hospital as they have to be nearby if a medical emergency occurs regarding their hospital patients.

Paediatricians have to be available for on call shifts to provide emergency services after hours and on weekends. These specialists will be consulted by primary healthcare workers and casualty doctors at the emergency room of the hospital they provide services for. The doctors will be consulted to provide an opinion for and/or manage cases such as respiratory distress or failure due to issues such as pneumonia, persistent fevers that don't break despite treatment being given and severe dehydration due to persistent vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

Monday

The start of the week is usually reserved for dealing with non-clinical issues such as attending meetings with hospital staff and management as well as medical representatives. 

Once these issues have being attended to, the paediatrician will begin consulting with patients in their office. The specialist will manage patients conservatively with medication and advice to parents, or they may need to admit patients to the hospital for further investigations and management.

Tuesday

The paediatrician will continue consulting with patients during the day as well as attend to any medical emergencies in the casualty department and the ICUs.

Paediatricians will also be present during childbirth during a high risk case or when a pregnant patient is receiving a Ceasarian section. This is in order to make sure that the newborn baby is fine and that there are no medical issues that need attention. In routine childbirth cases, the specialist will consult with a newborn baby once they have been transferred to the baby unit or when they are in the mother's care in the ward. The paediatrician will assess the child for any congenital abnormalities as well as rule out endocrine issues such as diabetes and thyroid problems.

Wednesday

This day will routinely include consulting with in- and out-patients, ordering further investigations, providing appropriate management, discussing management of patients with allied healthcare workers such as physiotherapists, dieticians and occupational therapists and consulting with referring physicians.

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Thursday

Paediatricians will carry on as they do in the week and will also use this day to complete motivation letters for medical insurance companies, complete chronic prescriptions for patients and give feedback to referring healthcare workers.

If the specialist is involved with the academic programme of the local medical school, then they will offer training to undergraduate medical students and postgraduate clinical assistants.

Friday

The specialist will continue to consult with patients in the mornings. The early afternoon will be used to finish up with any unresolved administrative issues and the work wee can then conclude.

If the paediatrician is on call for the hospital over the weekend, then they will be providing medical care for their patients as well as those who have been discussed with the doctor by their colleagues.