What We Do
Paediatrics deals with the prevention, diagnosis, investigation and treatment of medical conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents, from birth to 16 years of age.
In Ireland, there are opportunities to work as a general paediatrician or a paediatrician with a special interest in one of the many areas of medicine relating to child health, for example, paediatric intensive care, community child health, neurodisability, oncology, respiratory medicine or palliative care, to mention a few. The work is often collaborative with other professionals and agencies to ensure the best holistic care for both the child and their family.
Children may have acute life-threatening illnesses or chronic illnesses, while others may have non-specific symptoms and signs that need assessment and coordination of care.
Ensuring that a child lives as normal a life as possible means that paediatricians need to take into account the mental, developmental and social needs of the child and their families. Advocacy on child health issues and safeguarding are important components of a paediatrician’s work.
Paediatrics is a wonderful and rewarding specialty with many exciting opportunities.