Dear colleague,

Welcome to Paediatrics!

The following files include notes, sometimes in list format (as used in the lecture program) or as an abstract, relating to the various lectures delivered during the Forth and Final years of the MD (Malta) curriculum. Please use these as a framework around which you should plan your study and review of the various topics. These notes are, by no means, totally comprehensive and, indeed, are not designed to be so. In other words, we are not trying to spoon feed you and you are expected to do some reading ‘round’ each subject.

More importantly, I cannot stress enough the need to visit the wards regularly, take histories and examine patients. In general and from our experience, students are good on theory and short on ‘hands on’ skills! After all, those who fail finals (and this is what seems to make students wake up and pay attention!!!) . .  . do so because they cannot identify the head and tail of a child, and not because they are unable to wax lyrical for 15 minute or so on Smith Lemli Opitz syndrome, etc, etc.

Joking apart, enjoy Paediatrics – on the whole it is a ‘fun’ specialty where, with the right approach, you can spend some of your more memorable hours as a undergraduate. Please do not hesitate to ask questions and we would appreciate any feedback and constructive criticism throughout your time with us.

Best wishes,

Prof Simon Attard Montalto
MB.ChB, MD (L’pool), FRCP, FRCPCH, DCH