Q: Why did you choose your paediatrics specialty?

 

A: I love children. They are fun and full of energy, and I think children keeps us young. When you are able to nurse a sick child back to health and are able to see them revert back to their happy and cheerful self, it is truly motivating. Moreover, it brings me joy to watch our patients grow up from infants to adulthood – some even get into medical school!

 

Q: What does your typical day look like?   

 

A: Like some other specialties, paediatrics can be divided into two major categories: inpatient and out-patient. In outpatient clinics, parents bring their children to you for almost any ailment, small or big. We are unrepentent generalists; we see everything.

 

Q: What is one myth about your specialty you’d like to bust?

 

A: Paediatrics is a specialty dedicated only to children. Most of the time, you would be interacting with their caregivers, be it parents or grandparents. It is quite difficult to handle angry and worried parents on top of dealing with a crying child. It is a strain to ensure that all the caregivers are on the same page, understanding and adhering to your instructions with regard to treatment. 

 

Q: What is the most common procedure you perform? What is something that you do almost on a daily basis?

 

A: Nowadays most parents bring their children to me for vaccinations, coughs and colds. In the past, there was a higher incidence of minor cuts and scrapes, so putting on plasters, bandages and the occasional casts were part of the norm. Before this, it was also common for paediatricians to perform circumcisions.

 

Q: What would you recommend medical students who are interested in paediatrics to do to prepare themselves for this path?

 

A: Play with children as often as you can. Volunteer to help disadvantaged and disabled children.

 

Be very open-minded. There are many ways to bake a cake, so similarly, there are many ways to look after children. There is no dogma nor one way of doing things in relation to children. Try to keep up to date with the latest fads and innovations to establish a connection between you and your young patients – Angry Birds, Minions and Pokemon!

 

Be a detective! Children are not the best at articulation, and I would not expect them to tell me the discomfort they are suffering from. Therefore, being a paediatrician trains you to become an astute observer, and hones your ability to ask the ‘right’ questions that will guide you to the correct diagnosis. Half the time, paediatricians must make intuitive deductions.