Children are little people, but they are not miniature adults. Treating sick children is not just a matter of scaling down the adult approach, it is a specialisation of its own. Melbourne is fortunate to host the Royal Children's Hospital in Parkville. Established in 1870, it has built up a worldwide reputation for the excellence of its treatment and for its ground-breaking research.
Dr Jeff Kao is a third year resident at the Royal Children's, about to begin his paediatrician training. Children are Dr Kao's abiding interest. There is nothing complicated about it, ``I enjoy working with children,'' he says, ``and I am interested in things that help children get better.''
Inspired by his uncle to take up medicine, Dr Kao has come from New Zealand specifically to work at the hospital. ``I had heard a lot about the Royal Children's Hospital, that was one of the main reasons for me to come here for training. My plans are to continue working for the hospital.
``It is pretty famous around the world, recognised as one of the leading centres for research and for the care of children. There is a research institute attached to the hospital and quite a few landmark discoveries were made here. For example, the rotavirus, one of the common viruses for gastroenteritis. It is really inspiring.''
Diagnosing children poses unique communication problems, Dr Kao says. ``We see children from little babies who can't say anything, to teenagers, so we take into account different levels of development. Quite often just looking at the child tells us a lot about how they are.
``We rely heavily on parents or carers for history or information that may help as well as whatever signs we can pick up from the children.
``It is really important to listen to the families, we work as a team to find out what is wrong with the child, form a diagnosis and go on from there.''
Happiness is both a goal and a guide, Dr Kao says, ``We try and help them get better, it is very heart-warming to see them running around playing before they go home. Part of our job is to interact with them in a kind, warm manner that does not scare them.
``Most of the children who are normally well we try and help get out of hospital as soon as they can. Generally for the common illnesses they don't get used to hospital, in a few days they are screaming to go home and that is usually the time they are able to go home.''
Long term patients require a different approach.``There are some children who have chronic illnesses, and unfortunately do stay in hospital a lot. In those cases we try and make the hospital as friendly an environment for them as possible. The Children's Hospital is very good at involving the families, and there are various supports that the hospital can provide.''
