TAKING CARE OF BABIES: TYPES OF PEDIATRIC CAREGIVERS

Pediatrician

• Specializes in children's healthcare.
• Graduated from a certified medical school and completed a pediatric residency.
• May or may not be affiliated with a hospital.
• May or may not be board-certified in a specialty.
• May be a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP). An FAAP is board-certified and a member of this pediatric honorary society. Generally accepted as having very complete pediatric training.

Family Physician

• Provides care for the entire family.
• Spent several months in pediatrics as part of medical school and residency training.
• Refers seriously ill children to doctors with specialty training.

General Practitioner

• Received a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.
• Frequently consults with pediatricians.

Pediatric or Family Nurse Practitioner

• Registered nurse with additional training in pediatrics or family health.
• Usually works with a group of physicians or in a clinic providing well-child care and treatment of common illnesses.
• Refers serious problems to pediatricians.

Physician's Assistant

• Graduated from a two-year program that features clinical training of primary medicine, including pediatrics.
• Provides pediatric services under the supervision of a physician.

Naturopath or Other Alternative Practitioner

• Provides well-child care and emphasizes nonmedical treatment of illnesses.
• Refers seriously ill children to medical doctors.

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