Studying to become a paediatrician

We touched briefly on pediatricstudies in our pediatrician job description. Since this is such an important part of the profession, it was only natural that we should devote an entire article to it. In it, you'll find all the steps you need to take before you can claim the title of Doctor of Pediatrics.

What is a pediatrician?

A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in children's health, from birth to adolescence. They monitor the health of young patients, diagnose and treat illnesses, and oversee their physical, mental and emotional development. They also play a key role in prevention, advising parents on nutrition, vaccination and child development.

What training do I need to become a paediatrician?

To become a pediatrician, you need to follow a long university course in medicine. First of all, you'll need to pass a scientific baccalaureate, giving you the necessary grounding to succeed in your studies.

Once this stage has been completed, students wishing to pursue health studies can choose between two options:

• The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)

• Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
• Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
• Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
• Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
• The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.

• The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)

• Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
• At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
• The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, favoring skills and reorientation.

General medical studies

After the PASS or L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two parts:

• The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
• Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.

Examen Classant National (ECN)

After six years' study to become a pediatrician, students in the health field take part in a national competitive examination for all medical students. At the end of the examination, students choose their specialty. The order of priority is determined by ranking.

Specialization in dermatology

On completion of general medical studies , students specializing in pediatrics enter a five-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:

• theoreticaltraining: interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of dermatology. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
• Practicaltraining : pediatric interns participate in the work of various health departments.

In addition, pediatric interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, the intern obtains the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Pédiatrie (DES). They can now apply for positions as pediatricians.

Skills and qualities of pediatricians

Technical skills

Pediatricians need to master a wide range of medical and technical skills. They must be able to :

• diagnose and treat diseases specific to children,
• monitor the psychomotor and physical development of young patients,
• perform clinical examinations and interpret test results,
• manage paediatric emergencies,
• prescribe and adapt treatments according to the child's age and needs.

Human and interpersonal skills

In addition to their technical skills, pediatricians must possess the human qualities essential to establishing a relationship of trust with children and their parents. These qualities include

• empathy and patience in responding to families' concerns,
• the ability to communicate with young patients, sometimes unable to verbalize their symptoms,
• adaptability to a variety of medical situations,
• the ability to listen and reassure children and parents.

Jobs and career prospects for paediatricians

Different types of facility

Once they have completed theirtraining as pediatricians, new practitioners can work in a variety of settings and under different statutes:

• Public hospitals: pediatricians working in public hospitals are salaried employees. This status offers them job security, benefits and stable remuneration. They are involved in hospital care, pediatric emergencies and may progress to management positions, such as head of department. Hospital work frequently includes on-call duty, often compensated by bonuses.
• Private clinics: in this type of establishment, paediatricians can opt for either salaried or self-employed status. As salaried employees, they benefit from an employment contract with a fixed salary, but less flexibility. In private practice, they rent space within the clinic, set their own fees and bill their patients directly, giving them greater autonomy in managing their practice.
• Private practice: pediatricians in private practice are independent and responsible for the complete management of their practice, including administrative and financial aspects. This mode of practice offers great freedom in the organization of their practice, but also requires them to assume full responsibility for the management of the practice.
• Maternal and child protection centers (PMI): pediatricians working in PMI centers are salaried and focus on prevention, monitoring child development and supporting families. Working in this public health setting enables them to practice local medicine with a strong social impact.

Career development and specializations

A pediatrician's career can lead to positions of responsibility, such as head of department or medical director. There are also specializations in pediatrics, enabling doctors to focus on specific areas such as :

• neonatology (care of premature newborns),
• emergency pediatrics
• pediatric oncology,
• pediatric cardiology.

Pediatrician remuneration

In France, the average remuneration of a pediatrician varies according to practice location, experience and specialization. It also largely depends on their contractual status:

• Salaried: a salaried paediatrician earns an average of 40% of gross monthly sales.
• Self-employed: a self-employed or independent paediatrician will generally receive between 70 and 100% of gross monthly sales. In many cases, a fixed rent is also payable.

To sum up, becoming a paediatrician is a difficult and demandingcareer. Nevertheless, it offers a rich and varied career, with remuneration commensurate with the expertise acquired.

Did you enjoy this article and would you like to read more? Take a look, for example, at our orthodontist salary sheet or any of our other job sheets.