Paediatrics

What is Paediatrics

Paediatrics is a part of the medicine or healthcare sector that deals with child care and diseases. A Paediatrician’s job is to examine various kinds of health conditions of children, helping them, providing them care and specialising in units like neonatal medicine. Paediatricians aim to offer the best possible healthcare to individual children by working closely in a group consisting of other healthcare professionals.

In India, various colleges and universities provide specialized courses in Paediatrics. Paediatrics courses are available for the students at multiple levels including undergraduate as well as postgraduate. But students having a science background or from a science stream with knowledge of subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are more preferred in this field.

So, if you wish to embark on a rewarding career pathway available after becoming a paediatrician then in this article you will access all important aspects required for making an informed decision.

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Paediatrics

Undergraduate Level

• Candidates should have passed their Senior Secondary (10 + 2) level of education from a recognized board or institution.

• Candidates should be from the science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics included in their list of subjects.

• Candidates should have passed the relevant entrance exam and fulfilled other criteria of a college or university.

Postgraduate Level

• Candidates should have passed their class 12 from a recognized board or institution with a minimum of 50% marks.

• Candidates should be from the science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics as their core subjects.

• Candidates should have an MBBS degree or any other equivalent graduation degree in the relevant field from a recognized board or university.

• Candidates should qualify in the relevant entrance exam and fulfill other criteria of a college or university.

Doctorate/Diploma

• Candidates should have an MBBS degree or any other equivalent graduation degree in the relevant field from a recognized board or university.

• Candidates should have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the relevant subjects.

• Candidates should qualify in the relevant entrance exam and fulfill other criteria of a college or university.

Entrance Exams for Paediatrics

Undergraduate Level

Students who wish to have a career in the Paediatrics field should pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery(MBBS) a 5 and a half year-long course. Students should pursue an MBBS degree at an undergraduate level because to become a Paediatrician one needs to complete MBBS and MD in Paediatrics.

To get admission in the MBBS course, students need to qualify in the entrance exams. So, below is one of the largest and sole entrance exams for getting admission to any medical course in India:

• NEET – The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is one of the most important national level entrance exams which is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Postgraduate Level

Students who wish to have a career in the Paediatrics field should pursue the MD in Paediatrics course at the postgraduate level.

AIIMS admits students on a merit-basis while most of the colleges admit students on a rank-basis based on the rank secured by the student in the relevant entrance exams.

So, below are some of the entrance exams for getting admission to Paediatrics course in India:

• AIIMS PG – The All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is held twice a year and is conducted to grant admissions into the prestigious AIIMS colleges for various medical postgraduate courses.

• NEET-PG – The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET Post Graduation) is one of the most important national level entrance exams which is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

• JIPMER PG – The Jawaharlal Institute of PostGraduate Medical Education and Research is conducted for admissions in various medical courses.

Some institutes admit students based on the work experience and MBBS score of students. Students can pursue further courses in the field of Paediatrics after completing their MD in Paediatrics. Students can pursue a PhD in Paediatrics as well.

Required Skillset for Paediatrics

• Strong Communication Skills – Communication plays a very crucial role in paediatrics as paediatricians need to understand or communicate with different kinds of patients. In some cases, Pediatricians also need to understand and catch up on things that patients are trying to communicate through non-verbal communication. During the work, they have to deal with various individuals, children, and their family members. As a result, communication becomes very important in this field to handle cases and different kinds of scenarios.

• Problem-Solving Abilities – Candidates require ability and skills as they have to different critical situations and problem-solving skills become a necessity in such situations. Paediatrics goes beyond the subjects taught in the courses as professionals have to deal with problems with the different approach every time. Every case is different from one another, therefore, every time professionals are required to find a relevant solution through their concentration and problem-solving skills.

• Organizational Skills – Candidates should have the ability to manage their time and keep a balance between all activities happening around them. In such a case, organizational skills are the most required. Professionals in this field have to deal with various things in their work such as attending calls & patients, doing paperwork, study, research, and a lot more.

• Understanding of Diverse Cultures – Pediatricians should understand every people’s way of communication. Not every patient or their family members may be fluent in English and therefore, they may need to communicate effectively with them through mutual understanding.