What are the occupational outlook for pediatrician?

Answer 1

As long as kids continue to be born, the outlook is good.

Government economists expect faster-than-average job growth for doctors, including pediatricians, through 2014. However, changes in health care coverage and advances in technology could potentially limit some demand for doctors. Rural and low-income areas will have the most opportunities because of less competition for jobs. Medical research jobs, especially in the areas of AIDS and cancer, are well funded and open to pediatricians who specialize in these areas, but they are also competitive.

Answer 2

Job Outlook

Employment of physicians and surgeons is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities should be very good, especially for physicians and surgeons willing to practice in specialties-including family practice, internal medicine, and OB/GYN-or in rural and low-income areas where there is a perceived shortage of medical practitioners.

Employment change. Employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow 14 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than the average for all occupations. Job growth will occur because of continued expansion of health care related industries. The growing and aging population will drive overall growth in the demand for physician services, as consumers continue to demand high levels of care using the latest technologies, diagnostic tests, and therapies.

Demand for physicians' services is highly sensitive to changes in consumer preferences, health care reimbursement policies, and legislation. For example, if changes to health coverage result in consumers facing higher out-of-pocket costs, they may demand fewer physician services. Patients relying more on other health care providers-such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, optometrists, and nurse anesthetists-also may temper demand for physician services. In addition, new technologies will increase physician productivity. These technologies include electronic medical records, test and prescription orders, billing, and scheduling.

Job prospects. Opportunities for individuals interested in becoming physicians and surgeons are expected to be very good. In addition to job openings from employment growth, numerous openings will result from the need to replace physicians and surgeons who retire over the 2006-16 decade.

Unlike their predecessors, newly trained physicians face radically different choices of where and how to practice. New physicians are much less likely to enter solo practice and more likely to take salaried jobs in group medical practices, clinics, and health networks.

Reports of shortages in some specialties, such as general or family practice, internal medicine, and OB/GYN, or in rural or low-income areas should attract new entrants, encouraging schools to expand programs and hospitals to increase available residency slots. However, because physician training is so lengthy, employment change happens gradually. In the short term, to meet increased demand, experienced physicians may work longer hours, delay retirement, or take measures to increase productivity, such as using more support staff to provide services. Opportunities should be particularly good in rural and low-income areas, as some physicians find these areas unattractive because of less control over work hours, isolation from medical colleagues, or other reasons.

Source: U.S. department of Labor

Answer 3

The projected outlook for a pediatrician is very positive. It is projected that in the coming years, employment will grow by 22 percent.

Answer 4

A pediatric surgeon will always be in demand. There will always be a need for a skilled surgeon to save the life of a child in danger of dying.

Answer 5

As long as babies are still being born, pediatricians will still be needed.