Job File: Pediatrician

Dedicated to the well-being of children from birth to the end of puberty, pediatricians are committed to the health of a fragile, changing and sometimes fearful population. As guardians of youth, these specialists care for a segment of society that has long been ignored. In this article, we take a closer look at the many peculiarities of this profession, from the training required to become a pediatrician, to the skills required, and the criteria for admission.

What is a pédiatre?

As we mentioned in the introduction, a pediatrician is a specialist in the care of children. A period that runs from birth to the end of puberty. In France, the métier de pédiatre developed throughout the 19th century, spurred on by the spirit of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, which reaffirmed the place of the human being in society and, by extension, that of the child. Henceforth considered as a being in the process of somatic and psychic growth and maturation, the child becomes a subject of study. The term “pédiatrie”, first coined in 1870, literally means “médecin of the’child” in ancient Greek.

This is an essential specialist, as the infantile period requires a specific approach to care, with regular check-ups, frequent vaccinations and increased surveillance. For centuries, infant mortality remained extremely high, as children were more prone to illness and accidents. It was therefore necessary to define the specific contours of a precise and rigorous medical program. The health professionals who devote themselves to pédiatrics take on a role that goes far beyond a simple medical consultation.

What are the main pathologies treated by a pédiatre?

Pédiatres follow children on specific subjects, most of which are included in the following list: 

• Orthopedic conditions: scoliosis, club feet, bone growth problems.
• Respiratory infections : bronchiolitis, pneumonia, asthma.
• Chronic diseases: juvenile diabetes, pilepsy, cystic fibrosis.
• Infectious diseases: measles, chickenpox, mumps, rubéole.
• Digestive pathologies: diarrhea, constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Nutritional problems: malnutrition, obesity, food allergies.
• Dermatological problems: eczema, atopic dermatitis, skin rashes.
• Natal health problems: prematurity, jaundice, congenital anomalies.
• Developmental disorders: growth retardation, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders.
• Psychological disorders: depression, anxiety, behavioral disorders.

Les competences nécessaires pour devenir pédiatre

In order to successfully carry out the aforementioned missions, the pediatrician must master a certain number of skills and qualities such as:

• Technical skills
• Capacity to perform clinical examinations: adaptation of examination techniques for children of all ages.
• In-depth knowledge of pediatric pathologies: specialization in childhood diseases, including rare diseases.
• Competence in differential diagnosis: precise identification of underlying causes of similar symptoms.
• Pediatric intensive care expertise: management of severe or complex cases requiring urgent intervention.
• Interpretation of medical analyses: reading and understanding of test results specific to children.

• Personal qualities 

• Ability to work as part of a team : effective collaboration with other healthcare professionals to ensure complete patient follow-up.
• Empathy: understanding and responding to the emotional needs of children and parents.
• Patience: handling stressful or difficult situations with calm and confidence.
• Sense of observation: detection of subtle clinical signs or changes in the child's condition.
• Solid communication skills: explanation of diagnoses and treatments in a clear and reassuring way for parents and young patients.

Training and career paths to become a pédiatre

The academic pathway to becoming a pédiatreis rigorous and requires the acquisition of advanced medical skills. This specialization includes theoretical studies, practical internships and specific training courses. The curriculum begins with a first year of studies in the Parcours Accès Santé Spé cifique (PASS) or Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS), followed by two years of general medical studies to obtain the Diplocirc;me de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM). A further three years are required to obtain the Diplocirc;me de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM). After passing the end-of-clerkship tests (EDN and ECNOS), the future paediatrician specializes in this field as an intern for four to five years, at the end of which he or she can practice as a qualified paediatrician.

Some pédiatricians subsequently choose to specialize further in specific areas such as néonatology, pédiatric cardiology, pédiatric oncology, pédiatric neurology or emergency pédiatrics. These additional skills enable us to access better pediatric employment opportunities.

Les débouchés et perspectives de carrière

Once training as apédiatrepée has been completed, young practitioners can practice in different structures and under various statuses: 

• Hôpitaux publics : pédiatres practicing in public hôpitaux are salaried. They enjoy relative job security, benefits and a fixed salary. They are involved in hospital care and paediatric emergencies, and can progress to head of department or department manager positions. Hospital work often includes on-call duty, with associated bonuses.
• Private clinics: in private clinics, doctors can choose between salaried or freelance practice. As salaried employees, they have an employment contract and a fixed salary, but less flexibility. As freelancers, they rent space within the clinic, set their own fees and bill patients directly, giving them greater autonomy in managing their practice.
• Cabinet libéral: pédiatres in liberal practice practice as independent workers. They are responsible for the management of their practice, including administrative, financial and logistical aspects. This mode of practice offers great freedom in medical practice, while imposing greater responsibility.
• Centres de protection maternelle et infantile (PMI): pediatricians working in PMIs are salaried and focus on missions of prevention, monitoring children's development and supporting families. This framework, focused on public health, enables the practice of local medicine with a significant social impact.

If you'd like to find out more, browse our fiche études pédiatre.

The pédiatre's salary

The salary of a pédiatre dépend of several factors:

• L’expérience : pédiatres at the beginning of their careers earn more modest salaries, but these increase with experience and loyalty to a regular patient.
• Location: when setting up, a pédiatre must take into account various factors influencing his or her income, such as the local standard of living, the rates charged by his or her colleagues, as well as population density.
• Types of practice: as mentioned above, the practice setting also influences remuneration. A self-employed paediatrician with independent practice management will often have a higher income than a salaried paediatrician in a public or private practice, although the latter enjoys the security of a stable income.

The advantages and disadvantages of being a pediatrician

The métier de pédiatrehas several significant advantages. One of the most important is the personal satisfaction of contributing directly to the well-being and development of children. Working with children allows us to build long-term, trusting relationships with both young patients and their families. Moreover, paediatrics offers a wide range of responsibilities. What's more, pediatricians have the opportunity to work within a wide range of different structures, enabling them to renew the appeal of their careers and ensure long-term enrichment.

On the other hand, discipline comes with a number of défis. For example, the workload can be particularly heavy, especially when dealing with serious cases or difficult family situations. Working hours can also be demanding, with night shifts and on-call duty, especially in hospitals. Finally, the training course is long and demanding, as it requires highly specialized skills.

En résumé, the carriage of the pédiatre is rich and épanouissante. Working with young people, these specialists are committed to the future of humanity, caring for and supporting tomorrow's world. Stimulated by the carefree attitude of the patients in their care, pediatricians ensure a stimulating daily routine, a source of constant pride.