A pediatric hospitalist is a specialized doctor who provides medical care to children in a hospital setting, often with additional years of residency training. They prescribe medication, perform medical procedures, and order tests. They can work in various locations within a hospital and may act as consultants to other healthcare professionals.
A pediatric hospital is a doctor who specializes in providing medical care to children in a hospital setting. Generally, a pediatric hospitalist is a pediatrician who has completed additional years of pediatric residency training. Pediatric intensivists are a special group of hospitalists who provide care to critically ill children. The outpatient responsibilities of this type of physician can be limited, as many do not have offices outside the hospital, although they do schedule follow-up care for patients after discharge.
Typically, any health condition that makes a child too sick to stay home can be a reason to be treated by a pediatric hospital. Follow-up after surgery is a common reason. Pneumonia and similar respiratory illnesses are also frequent causes of hospitalization in children. A child with an illness that has become unstable may also be admitted for supervised hospital care. In some cases, a seriously injured child will need to recover under the care of this type of doctor.
There are many possible locations from which a pediatric hospital can work within a hospital. Many will generally be assigned to a floor designated for pediatric patients. Some hospitalists may prefer a fast-paced work environment and may choose to work in the emergency department, caring only for pediatric patients. Pediatric intensivists usually work in an intensive care unit. Pediatricians specializing in neonatology can dedicate their services to newborns and premature babies.
A hospitalist usually performs many important tasks on a daily basis. One of the most essential parts of providing hospital care for sick children will be prescribing medication. Pediatric hospitalists strive to treat children’s illnesses, for which outpatient remedies have not worked. For this reason, a very deep knowledge of drugs is required to carry out this work. In many cases, more than one medication will be prescribed to successfully treat an illness or disorder.
In addition to prescribing medications, a hospitalist can perform medical procedures and order medical tests. Some common tests ordered for a hospitalized child may include blood tests and X-rays. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be performed to provide detailed images of the body’s internal structures. Pediatric patients admitted for a cardiac condition may undergo a heart-specified test, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG).
The role of a pediatric hospital can be vast. In addition to specializing in childhood illnesses and treatments, physicians can also provide essential assistance to other healthcare professionals. This may include acting as a consultant to general paediatricians, surgeons and family physicians. Having a child admitted to the hospital can be a very frightening experience for both the child and the parents. For this reason, good bedside manner in relation to the entire family is also important for a physician in this position.
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