Paediatrics Courses

Paediatrics is a field of medicine regarding children. Paediatricians provide medical services to children at varying levels of health, from minor conditions to acute or chronic injuries. Postgraduate study develops the full spectrum of skills and knowledge required for work in the field, including study of bioethics, clinical psychiatry, diagnostic and screening tests, youth mental health and more.

Ancient physicians like Hippocrates knew the differences between child and adult physiology, respecting the need for differing treatment methods. Ancient Indian books on shed light on the fact specialised children’s doctors existed. It was only in the 18th century that modern paediatric medicine was founded by the Swedish physician Nils Rosén von Rosenstein. He produced the first text on the subject of child health, leading the world in paediatric treatment.

Modern paediatricians now have a wealth of knowledge behind them. They use the ever-soaring heights of modern medicine for the betterment of children worldwide.

Is paediatrics for me?

Paediatrics is for anyone who loves to work with children, whilst simultaneously being possessing fantastic discipline. As a branch of medicine, it isn’t for the faint of heart and requires an extraordinary commitment of time and energy. If you have a great deal of patience, time and will to succeed, entering paediatrics could be an exceptionally rewarding choice.

Study pathway

Paediatrics can be taken up to master level, with graduate certificates and diplomas being available for shorter terms of study.

Graduate certificates from the University of Sydney and similar institutions provide an entry-level basis of paediatric theory over the course of six months full time, or up to two years part time. As it is a medical discipline, a bachelor of medicine is a minimum requirement for entry. Students can expect units in paediatric nutrition, neonatal medicine, developmental paediatrics and more. There is quite a selection despite the limited duration.

Graduate diplomas offer a broader range of topics, taking one year of full time study to complete or up to three years part time. Admission requirements are identical to graduate certificates. The University of Sydney offers far more units in this program however, with subjects like pain treatment management, pain mechanisms and contributors, teaching in the clinical environment, essential dermatology and more becoming available for selection.

Master degrees offer exceptional knowledge of the field, with the University of Sydney being a leader in these programs. These courses offer a similar improvement in choice of units, taking two years of full time study to complete or up to four years part time. There are other programs from the University of Western Australia that focus on a variety of specialisations, such as neonatology, paediatric sleep science or paediatric respiratory science. This allows Bachelor of Medicine graduates to choose how they wish to tailor their paediatric study experience.

Employment options

The highly skilled and specialised nature of paediatrics leads it to always being in demand at hospitals and clinics all over the world. The Australian Paediatric Society is a great way to network with professionals, learn more about the field and find employment opportunities. These society in particular focuses on rural and remote children, helping them find care where they otherwise wouldn’t.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians also has their Paediatrics & Child Health Division, which serves a similar albeit more widely applicable purpose; those wishing to work in a traditional capacity at hospitals are advised to seek contacts and employment opportunities here.