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Paediatric surgery is a surgical specialty that revolves around treating young patients from fetal stages to 18 years of age. The treatment plans can consist of organ transplants, chemotherapy sessions, endoscopic procedures, as well as other surgeries on the brain, heart, lungs, liver, bowel, etc... to treat deformities, illnesses and injuries.

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Paediatric surgeons specialize in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of patients with deformities, illnesses and injuries through surgical means. They treat patients from fetal stages to young adults. There are many subspecialties in paediatric surgery such as paediatric neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, neonatal care, etc...

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A day in the life of a general pediatrics resident at Nationwide Children's Hospital

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Paediatric surgeons work in sterile environments, the majority of which are specific children's hospitals or paediatric surgical units within larger hospitals.

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What are the skills required to be a paediatric surgeon?

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What are the skills required to be a paediatric surgeon?

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Paediatric surgeons need a very special skill set. This can include:
- the ability to communicate with children and their parents
- delicate balance of empathy and emotional detachment
- able to work effectively under pressure
- good hand-eye coordination
- good memorization skills
- innovative problem solving skills
- ability to lead a team effectively
- physical stamina for long work hours

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How much money do paediatric surgeons make?

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How much money do paediatric surgeons make?

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In Canada, paediatric surgeons make around $350,000 a year. However, this number depends on the surgeon's education, seniority in the field, experience, certifications, additional skills, and what specialty they are pursuing (general, neuro, cardiothoracic, etc...).

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The Importance of a Pediatric Surgeon - Dr. David Gibbs

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How many hours a week do paediatric surgeons work?

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How many hours a week do paediatric surgeons work?

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The average paediatric surgeon will work 50 to 60 hours a week, not including the time they are available to call.

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What are some challenges that paediatric surgeons face?

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What are some challenges that paediatric surgeons face?

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One of the toughest challenges pediatricians face is seeing children and their families suffer, in addition to losing young patients.

When treating young who can't explain their symptoms, pediatricians must also be good detectives.

Parents whose children are sick enough to be hospitalized are often stressed out, sleep deprived and understandably emotional. This frustration can lead to tense conversations with pediatricians.

There are also many ethical debates on whether surgeons and parents should be making medical decisions for someone who is unable to speak up for themselves (young children).

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How can YOU become a paediatric surgeon?

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How can YOU become a paediatric surgeon?

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To become a paediatric surgeon you must:
- graduate high school with (80% +)
-apply for university
- complete a bachelors degree (recommended that it is in biology, english, inorganic/organic chemistry, physics, mathematics, etc...)
- write MCAT (medical school admission test)
- apply for medical school
- attend medical school for 4 years
- complete 3 to 8 years of residency and fellowship training
- become a liscensed doctor
- become board certified

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Let's take a look at the steps required to become a pediatric surgeon:

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Those who plan to go to medical school must first complete a bachelor's degree program. Though there is no specific undergraduate major recommended for medical school, the BLS notes that prospective medical school students should complete coursework in biology, English, math, physics, and inorganic and organic chemistry.

Success Tip:

Volunteer. To learn more about the profession of surgery, some students volunteer at local hospitals or medical clinics. Volunteer experience also might be taken into consideration when applying to medical school.

Step 2: Apply to Medical School

Medical schools are highly selective. They consider undergraduate academic performance, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and personal characteristics when choosing applicants. Most schools ask applicants to interview with an admissions panel prior to acceptance. Applicants must also submit results from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This multiple-choice test is divided into four sections: physical sciences, verbal reasoning, writing, and biological sciences.

Success Tip:

Research the application process. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) provides information about the MCAT, as well as tips for applying to medical school.

Step 3: Earn a Medical Degree

Medical students devote their first two years to classroom lectures and lab work in the sciences, from anatomy to pathology. Students also take courses in related topics, including legal aspects of medicine and medical ethics. The next two years typically are spent working with patients. Under the supervision of experienced doctors, students learn about the many aspects of patient care. They also participate in rotations in areas like family practice, internal medicine, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery.

Step 4: Complete a Residency and Fellowship

Medical school graduates must complete a residency in one of numerous medical specialties. Medical students typically select a specialty and a preferred location during their fourth year of medical school and are then matched to a residency program.

Residents generally spend between three and eight years training in their specialty. Those planning to be pediatric surgeons usually spend approximately five years in a general surgical residency and an additional two years in a fellowship specializing in children's surgery.

Step 5: Become Licensed

Every U.S. state requires doctors to be licensed to practice medicine. To do so, medical school graduates must pass the 3-step United States Medical Licensing Examination. They must also meet any other requirements imposed by their respective state's medical board, which typically includes passing additional written and practical examinations.

Step 6: Become Board Certified

Once he or she has met licensure and experience requirements, a surgeon can apply for voluntary board certification through the American Board of Surgery (ABS). Applicants first must pass a qualifying exam, which consists of 300 multiple-choice questions and lasts approximately eight hours. To complete the certification process, applicants must pass an oral certifying exam, which is taken over three 30-minute sessions. Candidates go before a panel of two examiners who gauge and evaluate their clinical skills, overall abilities, and judgment.

After earning general surgery certification, pediatric surgeons might opt to become ABS-certified in pediatric surgery as well. The qualifying exam for pediatric surgery certification includes about 200 multiple-choice questions and lasts approximately five hours, while the certifying exam consists of five 30-minute oral sessions. A team of two examiners conducts the oral sessions, which cover topics crucial to the field, such as cancer and trauma care. Surgeons may also choose to become certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a voluntary credential demonstrating a surgeon's devotion to a specific area of surgical care.

Becoming a pediatric surgeon requires a bachelor's degree, a doctorate in medicine, completion of residency, obtaining a license, and becoming board certified.

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how to become a pediatric surgeon: career roadmap

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How to Become a Pediatric Surgeon: Career Roadmap

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Let's take a look at the steps required to become a pediatric surgeon: Those who plan to go to medical school must first complete a bachelor's degree program. Though there is no specific undergraduate major recommended for medical school, the BLS notes that prospective medical school students should complete coursework in biology, English, math, physics, and inorganic and organic chemistry.