Paediatrics Specialty Profile

Paediatrics

Paediatricians are physicians who care for the health of children from the moment of birth up until, and sometimes beyond the patient’s 18th birthday. Children can be fun to work with. However, they can also be shy, unable to communicate their problems and come with parents who may reasonable, angry or sadly, neglectful of their child. Paediatricians have excellent people skills by necessity and know how to manage children and parents no matter their state of mind or health. The role of the paediatrician is diverse and there are a wide range of subspecialties to choose from. Medical issues are not the only ones which need addressing. Often emotional, psychological or social and family problems are equally or more important for a child’s health and well being. This is a demanding a specialty requiring doctors who are astute observers of the entire gamut of biopsychosocial issues affecting the patients in their care.

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Paediatrics Training Program

Training Program

Detailed information regarding the training program may be found online in the 'mango book'. The requirements for trainees commencing from 2008 onwards are also now available. Basic training is 3 years full time and may be entered following the completion... more

Application process

For entry into basic training, applicants must obtain a position in a hospital accredited for basic training by the Committee for paediatric physician training. Similarly, candidates will need to secure an advanced training position at an accredited training hospital, and... more

Length of Training

Six years full time comprising three years basic training and three years advanced training. Basic training occurs in tertiary or secondary paediatric hospitals under close supervision. Advanced training occurs under the guidance of local Directors of Physician training and with... more

Cost of Training

Basic Training Annual Registration fee (paid during years 2 and 3 of basic training: $262 Continuation of registration fee (paid after completion of basic training until FRACP examination is passed): $100 Interruption fee: $100 Late submission of an application fee:... more

Flexibility in Training

For individual circumstances contact the college directly. In general, Paediatric training has been a leader in offering flexible training. An increasing numbers of trainees are women who often choose part-time training to accommodate important family responsibilities Basic Training Interrupted training... more

Paediatrics Workplace

The workplace

Paediatric practice occurs in a variety of settings such as a suburban private practice, on the ward in a tertiary hospital or in the emergency department. In the outpatient setting these specialists will be confronted by variety of problems. There... more

The doctor-patient relationship

Paediatric patients range from newborns who are completely reliant on those around them, to toddlers full of energy and adolescents. The doctor patient relationship is only half the equation in paediatrics as most children come with parents who are understandably... more

Intellectual content

This an intellectually demanding specialty. Trainees are expected to have in depth knowledge of physiology, pathology, pharmacology and paediatric medicine and surgery.... more

Lifestyle and Practice Options

Paediatricians may practice in private or public settings or in a combination of the two. The majority of paediatricians tend to work between 50 - 64 hours per week with few working any more hours than this . On call... more

Medical indemnity

As with all other medical specialties this is becoming an increasing concern. Fears of litigation are greater amongst paediatricians when compared to other medical specialists – in particular those in neonatology and procedural subspecialties. Use our risk category tool to... more

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