Some of the most popular options include private practice (in all varieties from solo practice through large HMOs or other managed care organizations), further training in general academic pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson fellowship training, pediatric subspecialty training, basic science training, Epidemic Intelligence Service, Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, advanced degrees such as a Masters of Public Health (MPH), and other specialty activities such as neurology, psychiatry, pediatric anesthesiology, radiology, and NIH fellowships
Physician workforce studies have estimated that only between fifteen percent and twenty-five percent of services to children are delivered by family physicians. Pediatricians treat the largest percentage of infants and toddlers and are increasingly consulted and recognized as the primary health care experts for older children and teenagers. Pediatricians currently provide about twenty-four percent of adolescent health care, and care of the adolescent population is expected to continue to increase pediatrician workforce needs.
National statistics show that the number of births in the United States has been fairly stable for some time; about 4 million babies are born each year. Although the total number of pediatricians continues to increase, it never quite catches up with the need, and a particular shortage remains in rural and impoverished urban areas. In 1992, 59.3% of all nonmetropolitan counties, and 11.8% of all metropolitan counties, were without a general pediatrician (American Academy of Pediatrics, Department of Research, unpublished tabulations). The potential need for pediatricians in the future is good, so you know jobs will always be available. .
Historically, primary care physicians' incomes have been lower than the non-primary care specialists. However, with the emergence of managed care insurance plans, with their emphasis on primary care, there has been a change in this pattern.