The Unofficial Guide to Paediatrics

Authors : Zeshan Qureshi BM BSc (Hons) MSc MRCPCH
Edition : 1
Year : 2017
Description :

It has been a privilege to work with so many Paediatricians, and to serve as part of the big teams that deliver the excellent care that every child deserves. Whilst my career to date has involved challenging situations, I have invariably been able to unite with colleagues and parents around the fact that above anything else, the wellbeing of a child should not be compromised.

Editing this book, and working closely with my professional colleagues has really made me reflect on what the true definition of a Paediatrician might be. I’m on a Paediatric training programme, but I don’t think this is necessary to be a Paediatrician. I am privileged to say that I have passed the MRCPCH membership examinations, but again don’t think that is necessary to be a Paediatrician. I am now delighted to say that I’ve edited a Paediatrics textbook. But this doesn’t qualify me as a Paediatrician.

So what is the core essence of this profession? Who can be a Paediatrician, in the true spirit of the word? And who should decide? In my humble opinion, it comes down to one simple litmus test. Can you do what is necessary, within the limitations of your knowledge, to be an advocate for a potentially sick child? Are you willing to try your utmost to communicate with a child and family to identify what their possible concerns are, and tease out any relevant pathology? If something goes wrong, or you are unhappy with something that is done regarding a child’s care, regardless of any contextual factors, will you speak up on behalf of the child?


There is no substitute for clinical experience. Reading this book will inform you about Paediatrics. But to me, the most important thing in Paediatrics comes down to caring for the child, and when it comes down to this there should be no hierarchy: be tactful, use the appropriate channels, but never hesitate to speak up whenever you are worried that patient care is being compromised, regardless of who it might offend. Anyone can be a Paediatrician. A medical student on a Paediatric rotation; the student will often take the opportunity to spend more time listening to the patient then any healthcare professional that day: and I’m always grateful when a student comes up to me relaying valuable patient concerns and diagnostic information: they are a Paediatrician. The primary care physician that follows a child from womb to adulthood: they are a Paediatrician. Their knowledge of the family and the child throughout their life course is indispensable in identifying when things might go wrong in advance. The academics that improve the evidence on which care can be delivered: they are Paediatricians. The managers and policy makers that turn ideas into a reality: they are Paediatricians. And the Emergency Medicine doctor that sees a frightened parent and sick child for the first time, the ENT surgeon, the orthopaedic surgeon, the paediatric surgeon, the geneticist, the immunologist, the physiotherapist, the art therapist, the play specialist, the nurse, the dietician, the pharmacist, the social worker, the teacher, the police, every specialist, every person, every advocate that helps identify and address concerns and potential concerns to a child’s wellbeing: they are all Paediatricians.


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