About the
profession
A well-known saying in the medical field is that “children are not simply little adults.” This highlights the significant differences between treating adults and children.
The smaller body size and the less mature internal organs of infants and children result in physiological differences that are crucial to consider. Additionally, paediatric patients often present with conditions unique to their age group, such as congenital deficiencies or defects, infectious diseases, developmental disorders, and rare diseases.
A paediatrician’s approach to interpreting symptoms, making diagnoses, performing procedures, and prescribing medications or other treatments is heavily influenced by the patient’s (developmental) age and the health literacy of their parents or caregivers.
Furthermore, paediatric practice involves a unique dynamic: the fact that most patients cannot independently advocate for themselves or make decisions. This places additional emphasis on communication with parents and families, addressing their concerns, and balancing the perspectives of multiple individuals while prioritising the child’s best interests.
For these reasons, paediatrics demands highly specialised training and the development of specific competencies.
Child & family centered care: The Rights of the Child are the common thread running through the paediatrician’s profession
EACH charter
1
Children shall be admitted to hospital only if the care they require cannot be equally well provided at home or on a day basis.
2
Children in hospital shall have the right to have their parents or parent substitute with them at all times.
3
(3.1) Accommodation should be offered to all parents and they should be helped and encouraged to stay.
(3.2) Parents should not need to incur additional costs or suffer loss of income.
(3.3) In order to share in the care of their child, parents should be kept informed about ward routine and their active participation encouraged.
4
(4.1) Children and parents shall have the right to be informed in a manner appropriate to age and understanding.
(4.2) Steps should be taken to mitigate physical and emotional stress.
5
(5.1) Children and parents have the right to informed participation in all decisions involving their health care.
(5.2) Every child shall be protected from unnecessary medical treatment and investigation.
6
(6.1) Children shall be cared for together with children who have the same developmental needs and shall not be admitted to adult wards.
(6.2) There should be no age restrictions for visitors to children in hospital.
7
Children shall have full opportunity for play, recreation and education suited to their age and condition and shall be in an environment designed, furnished, staffed and equipped to meet their needs.
8
Children shall be cared for by staff whose training and skills enable them to respond to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of children and families.
9
Continuity of care should be ensured by the team caring for children.
10
Children shall be treated with tact and understanding and their privacy shall be respected at all times.
1
Children shall be admitted to hospital only if the care they require cannot be equally well provided at home or on a day basis.
2
Children in hospital shall have the right to have their parents or parent substitute with them at all times.
3
(3.1) Accommodation should be offered to all parents and they should be helped and encouraged to stay.
(3.2) Parents should not need to incur additional costs or suffer loss of income.
(3.3) In order to share in the care of their child, parents should be kept informed about ward routine and their active participation encouraged.
4
(4.1) Children and parents shall have the right to be informed in a manner appropriate to age and understanding.
(4.2) Steps should be taken to mitigate physical and emotional stress.
5
(5.1) Children and parents have the right to informed participation in all decisions involving their health care.
(5.2) Every child shall be protected from unnecessary medical treatment and investigation.
6
(6.1) Children shall be cared for together with children who have the same developmental needs and shall not be admitted to adult wards.
(6.2) There should be no age restrictions for visitors to children in hospital.
7
Children shall have full opportunity for play, recreation and education suited to their age and condition and shall be in an environment designed, furnished, staffed and equipped to meet their needs.
8
Children shall be cared for by staff whose training and skills enable them to respond to the physical, emotional and developmental needs of children and families.
9
Continuity of care should be ensured by the team caring for children.
10
Children shall be treated with tact and understanding and their privacy shall be respected at all times.
Practicing
paediatrics
In Belgium, 1573 paediatricians are committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
Paediatricians need a particularly flexible profile: they switch quickly between the various maternity, emergency, paediatric, obstetric and outpatient departments covering the whole spectrum of both very acute and chronic care, preventive as well as curative care, sometimes very general but mostly very specific care, in a population ranging from premature babies to adolescents and young adults.
We need a sufficient number of appropriately trained primary care paediatricians, paediatric medical subspecialists, and paediatric surgical specialists to provide optimal care to all children.
Accreditation
Accreditation is the recognition of your participation in training activities and peer review sessions (LOK/GLEM).
In order to be accredited, you must meet certain requirements, either related to your professional activity, or through your participation in additional training. If you are accredited, you will receive an annual fixed accreditation fee that covers part of your training costs.
The requirements for accreditation can be found here:
Legislation
- The current legislation related to the Paediatric Profession can be found here (NL) ⟶
- The current legislation related to the Paediatric Profession can be found here (FR) ⟶
- Federal information on recognition criteria:
- Recognition criteria for Flanders (click ‘Erkenning tot Kinderarts):
- Recognition criteria for Wallonia ⟶