Important: Exam dates, fees and policies can change. Verify time-sensitive details on the official Medical Council of Canada website.

Home / Pediatrics

Child health module

Pediatrics

Age-appropriate assessment, caregiver communication and recognition of the unwell child.

Module objectives

By the end of this module, you should be able to gather focused information, identify the most likely and most dangerous diagnoses, choose appropriate investigations, begin safe management and communicate the plan clearly.

Core presentations

Complete topic guide

Fever in infants and children

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →Complete topic guide

Respiratory distress and wheeze

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →Complete topic guide

Dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →Complete topic guide

Rash and infectious presentations

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →Complete topic guide

Growth and developmental concerns

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →Complete topic guide

Newborn feeding and jaundice

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →Complete topic guide

Immunization counselling

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →Complete topic guide

Adolescent confidentiality

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →Complete topic guide

Child maltreatment and safeguarding

Open the focused 11-minute framework with red flags, targeted assessment, investigations, management, related stations and safety-netting.

Open guide →

Expected station skills

Observe before touching
Age-specific vital-sign interpretation
Hydration and work-of-breathing assessment
Communicate with child and caregiver
Weight-based safe planning

Module drill: For each presentation, state the leading diagnosis, the dangerous alternative, one discriminating question, one discriminating examination finding and the first action if the patient is unstable.

Red flags and escalation

Toxic appearance
Non-blanching rash
Apnea or cyanosis
Poor perfusion
Altered consciousness
Safeguarding concern

Station rehearsal template

Read the task and identify the required output.
Open professionally and establish the agenda.
Gather focused positive and negative findings.
Summarize and prioritize the differential.
State investigations and management in a safe sequence.
Address the patient’s concerns and understanding.
Close with disposition, follow-up and safety-netting.

Suggested complete 11-minute stations

Caregiver history + urgent plan11 minutes

Fever in an eight-week-old infant

Use an age-specific febrile-infant pathway and assess invasive bacterial infection.

Assessment + management11 minutes

Child with severe wheeze and respiratory distress

Recognize life-threatening pediatric asthma and stabilize first.

Developmental history + counselling11 minutes

Two-year-old with language delay

Assess all developmental domains and arrange early supports.