A pediatric intensivist is a doctor who specializes in treating children, adolescents, and infants who are suffering from serious illnesses or injuries. The majority of intensivists work in hospitals’ critical care units, diagnosing and treating emergency situations. Some pediatric intensivists specialize in treating patients who have very specific medical problems, such as asthma attacks or head injuries. Most doctors, on the other hand, provide expert care for young people suffering from a variety of life-threatening illnesses.
A pediatric intensivist makes a diagnosis when a patient is admitted to a critical care center by gathering information about symptoms and performing a physical examination. He or she might order diagnostic imaging tests to look at injuries or take blood and tissue samples for disease analysis in the lab. Pediatric intensivists ensure that young patients are constantly monitored and kept as comfortable as possible while treatment decisions are made with the help of nurses and hospital technicians.
A pediatric intensivist can administer the appropriate treatment after confirming the diagnosis. To stabilize breathing, an intensivist may need to administer intravenous fluids and medications or place a child on a ventilator. The doctor may decide to monitor the effects of medications for a few hours or arrange for immediate surgical procedures, depending on the urgency of the patient’s condition.
Because diseases and injuries affect developing body systems in unique ways, treating life-threatening conditions in children is often very different than caring for adults with similar conditions. The immune system of a young child, for example, is usually less effective at fighting off common bacteria and viruses. The same pathogen that causes a simple cold in an adult can cause serious breathing, cardiac, and neurological complications in a child. Pediatric intensivists go through extensive training to be able to recognize and treat health problems in children.
To become a pediatric intensivist, a person must first complete four years of medical school, then complete a three-year pediatric care residency and a two- to three-year pediatric critical care fellowship. A new doctor has the opportunity to work directly with patients during residency and fellowship training under the supervision of experienced pediatricians. He or she will learn how to keep patient records, recognize various illnesses, and administer treatment. In addition, to gain licensure in his or her specialty, a doctor must pass certification exams after completing both the residency and the fellowship.
When they are not treating patients, many pediatric intensivists conduct independent research. They conduct literature reviews on a variety of diseases and conditions before writing original papers based on their own clinical and experimental findings. To ensure that his or her patients receive the best possible care, a pediatric intensivist must stay up to date on the latest innovations in medical technology and treatment techniques.