Just like how adults specific medical care that caters to them, the other end of the spectrum also has health care that focuses on children. Pediatric care is the kind of care given to infants, children and adolescents to make sure their physical, emotional and social health needs are met.

What is a pediatrician?

Pediatric care is entirely different to the care given to adults, as children aren't simply miniature versions of grownups. Pediatric care specialists train in skill assessment to focus on preventing, detecting and managing various problems that affect children.

Since children are constantly growing and changing, pediatricians have to always consider the growth and developmental issues that aren't present in adults. These issues can have significant effect on the type of care that the pediatricians will prescribe, especially when it involves a serious illness.

The duties of a pediatric health care professional typically involve:

• Diagnosing and treating injuries, infections, diseases and dysfunction
• Promoting healthy lifestyles
• Identifying and addressing developmental and behavioral problems
• Providing screenings and immunizations appropriate for the patient's age
• Working to reduce infant and child mortality
• Easing the daily life of patients suffering from chronic conditions
• Monitoring children's physical and psychosocial growth and development
• Giving education and advice to patients and their parents for any developmental challenges they might encounter

Is pediatric care considered primary care? 

Pediatric care professionals are considered primary care providers or PCP since they are the first stop for children's medical care. Physician assistants and pediatric nurse practitioners can also become PCPs in certain cases such as in annual physicals and most types of non-emergency medical care.

Pediatric care also has subspecialties involving young patients, other than their general care, such as:

• Adolescent medicine
• Developmental-behavioral issues
• Neonatology
• Critical care
• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Nephrology
• Rheumatology
• Transplant hepatology
• Child abuse
• Hospice and palliative medicine
• Cardiology
• Emergency medicine
• Hematology
• Infectious diseases
• Pulmonology
• Sports medicine 

Importance of pediatric care 

Keys to running a well-managed pediatric care department 

It's not as easy to run a pediatric care department. From scared and crying children to nervous grown-ups, your job does not only involve keeping the children happy, but you also need to satisfy the parents too.

Here are the keys to running a pediatric care department that can support both your patients and their families.

• Prioritize satisfaction

The satisfaction of the patients should always be the number one priority. Their pediatric care experience doesn't start when the treatment has been applied, it starts the second they walk through the doors. This means making the space as comfortable and inviting as possible, for both the patient and their guardian.

In the case of children, you want to make sure they don't associate pediatric care checkups with pain so they don't become anxious and fearful. This anxiety usually stems from fear of injections. What you can do is try to reduce the pain as much as you can to ease their discomfort.

• Make use of technology

Make sure you use the right technology solution to optimize your workflow and allow you to provide patients with the best care possible. Taking advantage of the latest technology also allows the guardians of the children to interact with your office. A patient portal can make it easier for them to obtain test results, access shot records, make appointments and raise concerns.

• Know your customers

When your patients come back regularly for checkups, it's usually a good sign that you're able to deliver pediatric care that satisfies them. If you want to further improve their experience, it's important to know what your patients need. A few ways to achieve this are by offering after-hours and weekend appointments, engaging with the community, and offering parenting tips. 

Takeaways 

Earning a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration degree online can provide you with the practical knowledge necessary for leading teams, improving processes and fulfilling your duties in the field of pediatric care.