American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have regular visits with their pediatricians until the age of 18.  Because of this, patients tend to develop strong bonds with their pediatricians and remember them years after they have been formally discharged at age 18. Despite this fact, pediatricians remain one of the least well compensated types of physicians. However, passion drives many pediatricians to do their best work for their patients. 

It is important for a pediatrician to take care of a variety of concerns at each visit, including infant milestones, vaccines, and eating disorders.  In rural populations, pediatricians may have to double up as social workers, whereas in urban settings pediatricians may have a more subspecialized skillset, for example, focusing entirely on the developing gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the patient demographic, the type of pediatrician that is the best fit for the job differs.  

According to a paper published in Pediatrics, generalists prefer not to subspecialize due to lifestyle choices and end up choosing part time work later in their careers. Thus, those wanting to go part-time are less likely to choose fellowship. These are all important considerations when hiring a pediatrician.  A good general pediatrician can care for many concerns at once, for example the child may be hyperactive, requiring psychiatric care or a child may not be feeding well, requiring the expertise of the gastroenterologist. 

When a child first enters the pediatricians’ office, they may recall items such as toys and blocks in the waiting room.  These are important and impressionable moments in a child’s development. Finding the right pediatricians for each child is ideal.