Pediatrics

Sophie Baldwin, 9/17/23

See our interviews with Dr. Friedman and Dr. Chiang for firsthand insight into Pediatrics!

Pediatricians oversee the medical care of children from infants to early adulthood. A residency in pediatrics is considered a gateway to many other subspecialties as there are many fellowship options. General pediatricians conduct yearly checkups and diagnose/treat acute or chronic illnesses. Much of pediatrics focuses on preventative care to ensure the well-being of children, and pediatricians will often form long-term connections with patients. Because they see their patients over many years, they must have great communication skills and be very patient.

Fast Facts

• Salary: $232,000

• DO friendly? Yes

• IMG friendly? Yes

• Competitiveness: Low

• Match rate (2023): 97%

• Average step-one: 228

• Surgical? No

Becoming a Pediatrician

• 4 years of undergraduate

• 4 years of medical school

• 3 years of pediatrics residency

• 2-4 years of fellowship (optional)

Work-life Balance

Pediatricians generally have some of the best lifestyles compared to other medical specialties. Many pediatricians go into private practice, in which they can create their own schedules and hours, allowing them to work as much or as little as they’d like. Pediatricians who work primarily in outpatient settings rarely get called in as there are fewer emergencies. Additionally, since pediatrics deals with the care of children, residencies are typically more flexible with maternity or paternity leave.

Fellowships

• Adolescent medicine (3 years)

• Allergy and immunology (2 years)

• Cardiology (3 years)

• Child & adolescent psychiatry (2 years)

• Critical care medicine (3 years)

• Endocrinology (3 years)

• Gastroenterology (3 years)

• Hematology & oncology (3 years)

• Infectious diseases (3 years)

• Medical genetics (2-4 years)

• Neonatal perinatal medicine (3 years)

• Nephrology (3 years)

• Pediatric emergency medicine (3 years)

• Pulmonary disease (3 years)

• Rheumatology (3 years)

Job Satisfaction and Outlook

• 83% are satisfied with their career (AMA)

• 30% report burnout (AAP)

• 7% projected job growth (2018-2028) (Zippia)

Sources

https://www.prospectivedoctor.com/how-competitive-is-a-pediatrics-residency/ 

https://residency.wustl.edu/choosing-a-specialty/specialty-descriptions/pediatrics/ 

https://freida.ama-assn.org/specialty/pediatrics 

https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/13934/Study-Most-early-career-pediatricians-satisfied?autologincheck=redirected 

https://www.zippia.com/pediatrician-jobs/trends/