A pediatric hospitalist is a doctor who specializes in treating children in a hospital setting. A pediatric hospitalist is typically a pediatrician who has completed additional years of residency training in pediatrics. Pediatric intensivists are a subset of hospitalists who specialize in treating critically ill children. Because many of these doctors do not have offices outside of the hospital, their outpatient responsibilities are limited, though they do schedule follow-up care for patients after they are discharged.
Any health condition that makes a child too sick to stay at home can be a reason for a child to be treated by a pediatric hospitalist. One of the most common reasons is post-surgery care. Pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses are also common reasons for children to be admitted to the hospital. A child who has developed an unstable disease may be admitted to supervised inpatient care. A child who has been seriously injured may need to recover under the care of this type of doctor in some cases.
A pediatric hospitalist can work in a variety of settings within a hospital. Many will be assigned to a floor that is specifically for children. Some hospitalists prefer a fast-paced work environment and choose to work in the emergency room, exclusively caring for children. In most cases, pediatric intensivists work in an intensive care unit. Pediatricians who specialize in neonatology may focus on newborns and premature babies.
On a daily basis, a hospitalist will typically perform a variety of important tasks. Prescriptions will be one of the most important aspects of providing hospital care to sick children. Pediatric hospitalists work to treat illnesses in children that have failed to respond to outpatient treatment. As a result, this job necessitates a thorough understanding of medications. In many cases, more than one medicine will be prescribed to treat a disease or disorder effectively.
A hospitalist can perform medical procedures and order medical tests in addition to prescribing medications. Blood tests and X-rays are two common tests ordered for a hospitalized child. To obtain detailed images of the body’s inner structures, a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used. A heart-specific test, such as an electrocardiogram, may be performed on pediatric patients admitted for a heart condition (EKG).
A pediatric hospitalist’s responsibilities are varied. The doctors can assist other health care professionals in addition to specializing in childhood diseases and treatments. Acting as a consultant to general pediatricians, surgeons, and family practitioners is one example. For both the child and the parent, having a child admitted to the hospital can be a terrifying experience. As a result, a doctor in this position must have excellent bedside manner toward the entire family.