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Engineering

Medicine

Paramedical Courses (Most of the entrance examinations to these courses are held separately from Medical entrance examinations.)

General Physician	Job Opportunities

Medicine is one of the most sought after careers today. The power to heal has traditionally placed this profession several rungs above any other on the ladder of success. Today enormous strides are being made in medical research for alleviating pain and curing diseases. This has led to greater emphasis on the need for specialisation. Many students pursue a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Master of Surgery (MS) after their MBBS.

A doctor's job broadly covers three major areas, namely examination, diagnosis and treatment, irrespective of the line of specialisation. Examination does not mean a physical check up only. A doctor needs to go into the complete medical history of the patient and record it for future reference. Diagnosis involves determining the exact cause of an illness through an examination of the patient. Treatment includes prescribing medication and other measures such as, surgery, therapy or referring the patient to a specialist.

The syllabus for MBBS includes subjects like anatomy, physiology, biology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, ENT, gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatrics, orthopaedics, as well as preventive and social medicine.

The entire MBBS programme is divided into three phases of eighteen months each. This is followed by compulsory rotating internship for a duration of one year. The first one and a half years of the MBBS course are spent in the study of pre-clinical subjects, after which the student has to clear the first examination in anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. The second examination at the end of 18 months includes subjects like pharmacology, pathology, microbiology and forensic medicine. The three years after passing the pre-clinical subjects are devoted to clinical work in hospital wards and departments along with training in the para clinical subjects of medicine, including paediatrics, surgery including ear, nose and throat, ophthalmology, gynaecology and social and preventive medicine. The students have to appear in oral, written, clinical and practical tests and only those who are able to successfully obtain at least 50 per cent marks in each part are deemed to have passed the examination. The MBBS degree is granted to students only after successful completion of the medical syllabus, along with one year of rotation internship. After obtaining the MBBS degree, candidates are required to register themselves with the State Medical Council, in order to become a qualified physician.

MBBS degree prepares a candidate for practice only as a general physician. It does not equip a candidate to provide specialised treatment and to perform surgery on patients. Nowadays, most of the students opt for a 3-year MD or MS course or a diploma course of 1-2 years duration in the discipline of their specialisation. To pursue a specialisation, one needs to have first successfully completed the MBBS course. The candidate should have also completed a house job or internship for one year.

Those desirous of specialising in a particular branch of medicine may proceed to do the master's degree courses MD or MS or a master's diploma course. Generally, admission to the master's course is also through an entrance examination.

Some of the major specialisations include general medicine, general surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics & gynaecology, dermatology, radio diagnosis, venerology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat), diabetology, psychiatry and anaesthesiology.

Specialised courses are also available in some other disciplines including a few non-clinical subjects like community medicine, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, forensic medicine, communicable diseases, preventive and social medicine, anatomy, radio diagnosis and hospital administration.

General Physician
A doctor may begin working as a general physician immediately after completing the MBBS course (including the internship) and acquiring a license. However, students can also pursue an additional three-year course (MD) in general medicine. Some universities also offer a postgraduate diploma in general medicine. The work of the general physician involves disease management including diagnosing and treating a patient or referring him to a specialist.

General Surgery
To obtain a Master of Surgery (MS) degree a student has to undertake a three year course after completing MBBS. General surgeons are trained to perform surgery on all organs of the body. However, a student may opt for specialisations in different fields of surgery such as orthopaedics, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, cardio-thoracic surgery and so on. Surgeons may diagnose and treat injuries, diseases and disorders of the human body by prescribing medicines or through surgical operations.

ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
An ENT specialist deals with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat, the three physiologically interconnected organs. The ENT specialist may also conduct hearing tests and prescribe hearing aids. For specialising in this branch, one is required to complete a three-year MS course in ENT surgery after MBBS.

Cardiology
This branch deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to the heart. Cardiologists may also perform special procedures such as, angiography, bypass surgery, angioplasty and many more.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology
This field of specialisation deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders in women in the reproductive age group. A gynaecologist deals with problems related to the reproductive organs, whereas an obstetrician handles pregnancy and child-birth. Obstetricians and gynaecologists also perform surgical procedures such as caesarean sections, laproscopies and hysteroscopies.

Ophthalmologists
Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery and diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries. They also examine eyes and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Psychiatry
Psychiatry is among the most important branches of the medical profession, which deals with mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. The work done by psychiatrists involves the diagnosis of the patient's problems followed by treatment. Treatment could take the form of medication, counselling, psychotherapy or electrotherapy. Psychiatrists counsel a variety of patients who suffer from various kinds of anxieties, phobias and obsessions. They also work for the rehabilitation of their patients and their acceptance in society. They can opt to teach in medical colleges and psychiatric institutions. Research is carried out on human psychological conditions and the usefulness of various methods of treatment.

Doctors having a doctorate (MD) or a diploma in psychiatric medicine (DPM) after an MBBS, are qualified to work as psychiatrists. Doctors who have successfully completed the MBBS programme are eligible for the postgraduate degree (MD) and diploma courses in psychiatry. The MD course in psychiatry is a three-year course and the DPM is a two year course.

Various institutions across the country offer MD and diploma courses in psychiatry. Prominent among these are the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHNS) in Bangalore, Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, and the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences which has been set up in Shahadra in Delhi. Some of the other colleges that offer psychiatry as a specialisation are Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, AIIMS and the Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi.

Other specialisations include Paediatrics, Dermatology, Neurology, Pathology, Anaesthesiology, Radio Diagnosis, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, Venerology, Preventive and Social Medicine, Anatomy, Plastic Surgery, Community Medicine, Physiology, Ophthalmology, Communicable Diseases and Hospital Administration.

Super Specialisations which require a further 2-3 years of study after an MD or MS degree are available in areas such as, Oncology, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Cardio-thoracic surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Gastroentrology, Endocrinology and Clinical Haematology.

Opting for a PhD is also possible after postgraduate specialisations. For a PhD, the duration of the course is two years for those with MD/ MS degrees and three years for those with an M.Sc. degree in medicine.

Job Opportunities
There is no dearth of job opportunities for a qualified doctor. There are hospitals, polyclinics and dispensaries, both government run and privately managed, all over the country. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the State Public Service Commission (SPSC) recruits doctors for posts in government organisations.

There are innumerable job opportunities in research institutions, councils and clinical laboratories run by the central, state governments and private institutions. Municipalities, cantonment boards and other local bodies, including missions and charitable trusts employ doctors. Besides these, medical colleges and training institutions employ doctors for teaching and training. Doctors with an MD or MS could get posted in district hospitals, community health centres and Employees' State Insurance Scheme hospitals, while doctors without a post graduate degree can rise to become Senior Medical Officers.

There are excellent employment opportunities in the armed forces. Doctors are taken as commissioned officers. Preference is given to those passing out of the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune for employment in the Army Medical Corps.

Paramedical Courses

Students can decide to pursue careers in other paramedical fields such as, dentistry, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacology and veterinary science.

Dentistry

Dentists diagnose and treat diseases and abnormalities of the teeth, gums and mouth. They perform procedures such as, filling and extracting teeth, fitting dentures and inserting crowns. Dentists generally work with a team of professionals that include dental hygienists or dental assistants.

Dentists may specialise in several areas. Given below are some of the areas of specialisation:
Orthodontics is the treatment of problems related to irregular dental development.
Endodontics deals with diseases of the root canal.
Periodontics relates to diseases of the gums and jaws.
Prosthodontics deals with replacing teeth or parts of the jaw and face lost due to disease or injury.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery deals with the repair of injuries and defects to the teeth, jaws and associated structures.
Forensic Odontology deals with the collection and evaluation of dental evidence in order to assist law enforcement officers either through the identification of human remains, bite-mark analysis or the examination of oral-facial injuries.
Paediatric dentistry relates to the treatment of oral diseases in children.

Dental Hygienists are primarily involved in educating patients in the prevention of dental diseases. They commonly perform oral examinations and cleanings, take X-rays, apply preventive treatments and counsel patients on diet and other factors affecting their dental health.

Dental Assistants may serve a variety of functions, including receiving and preparing patients for treatment, sterilising and arranging equipments, assisting the dentist during procedures and performing clerical duties such as general reception and billing.

Denturists work in conjunction with dentists and are responsible for the design, construction, repair and maintenance of dental prostheses.

Dental Technicians may provide prostheses, but are also involved in the design and construction of crowns, inlays, dental ceramics and appliances used by orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Nursing

With the advancement in medical science, nursing education and care has been constantly improving. The largest group of workers in the health sector are those in the nursing field.

Hospital nurses constitute by far the largest group of nurses. The job of a nurse is to give bedside care to convalescing patients. They have to record temperature, pulse rate, administer medication, change dressings, assist patient in personal care and prepare patients for surgery. Psychiatric nursing, paediatric nursing, operation theatre nursing and cardiac care nursing require additional training and work experience.

Nurses also work in many places other than hospitals. A school nurse supervises the student's clinic, attends to injuries and any sudden illness amongst children. Industrial nurses render preventive, remedial and educational nursing service under the directions of the Industrial Physician

There are several colleges and hospitals, which offer B.Sc, nursing degrees and general nursing management (G.N.M.) certificates. For B.Sc. Nursing, the training period is 3 years after class XII. Auxiliary nursing diploma, midwifery diploma/certificate courses are of 2 year duration after 10+2. However, post-certificate auxiliary nursing and midwifery certificate holders can undertake a B.Sc. nursing condensed course of 2 yrs and become graduate nurses. They can further specialise to work in the operation theatre, cardiac care units, neurological surgery centres, nephrology unit management etc.

Nutrition and Dietetics

Nutrition and dietetics is a relatively young profession. In the past, the relationship between nutrition, a balanced diet and the health of the family was not fully understood. As awareness grew, food planning assumed greater importance on a much wider scale. Today, hospitals, schools, factories and public eating places have started applying this knowledge when catering for their wards, employees and customers. Now, the main aim of the dietician or nutritionist is to help promote good health through correct eating habits.

The profession of nutrition and dietetics has a wide range of applications.

Broadly speaking, nutritionists and dieticians are trained in the science of food and nutrition and their institutional management. Nutritionists study the effects of a variety of food on an individual in terms of metabolism and long-term physical results. Their work has two aspects - prevention and rehabilitation. They help in the rehabilitation of patients after illness or surgery, which includes helping them cope with their new life and showing them how to maximise the benefits of the treatment.

Dieticians provide guidance on the development of healthy eating habits and drawing up a personalised food plan to ensure that individual dietary requirements are met. They also guide in Meal Planning, that is, deciding what foods should be eaten and in what quantities.

Entry into this field can be at two levels.A Trainee: The requirement is a B.Sc. in home science plus a diploma in food science. Trainees must undergo a one-year probation period before they are absorbed as full nutritionists or dieticians. A Nutritionist or Dietician: This requires a B.Sc. in home science plus a diploma in dietary services with one or two years' work experience, or an M.Sc in home science with work experience.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is an important field related to medicine. It deals with the chemistry of different drugs, their origin, the development of drugs, their preparation, dispensing and their effects.

Pharmacists can work as hospital pharmacist, retail pharmacist, industrial pharmacist or research pharmacist.

Hospital Pharmacist
Every hospital, nursing home and health center have pharmacists who are in charge of the procurement, stocking, preparation and dispensing of medicines, drugs and other medical accessories.

Retail Pharmacist
Pharmacist working in retail pharmacy and as representatives of medical firms form the largest group of professionals. In medical retail stores the pharmacist prepares and dispenses drugs on prescription to the general consumer.

Industrial Pharmacist
Industrial pharmacists are involved in the manufacture of drugs and healthcare products. While most firms are involved in the production of pre-formulated preparations, a growing number of firms are developing new formulations through their R&D work.

Research Pharmacist
The business of drug manufacture is rapidly becoming research based. The thrust is towards basic research and development of innovative processes for manufacturing drugs.

The Pharmacy Council of India has prescribed the diploma in pharmacy as the minimum qualification for registration as 'Registered Pharmacists'. A graduate pharmacist is recognized as an approved chemist in the pharmaceutical industry. The other fields of employment opportunities for pharmacy graduates include Drug Control Administration as Drug Inspector, Analytical Chemist, Office of Customs (Drug & Pharmaceuticals), Ministry Representatives and Executives in pharmaceutical sales division.

The study of pharmacy is at the following levels - diploma course of 2 years and a degree course of 4 years after 10+2. One can do a postgraduation of 2 years. Students completing Class XII with physics, chemistry and biology/mathematics are eligible for the study of pharmacy. Some reputed institutions offering these courses are BITS-Pilani, BHU, BITS-Ranchi, LM College of Pharmacy-Ahmedabad, Punjab University-Chandigarh and Jadavpur University-Calcutta.

Veterinary Science

Veterinarians diagnose and control animal diseases and prescribe medical or surgical treatment for animals. They give advise on the care of pets and farm animals. Veterinarians work for the care, sustenance and breeding of animals in the agricultural sector. Veterinary scientists also work with the government, the Armed Forces and the Border Security Forces for the care of the mounted regiments.

Animal Geneticists conduct research in animal genetics and deal with problems concerning evolution of new breeds, rearing of livestock, genetic control of diseases, artificial insemination, sterilisation etc. They are constantly engaged in conducting experiments for improvement in variety and strain of animals which have more resistance to diseases, better yield in products such as milk, meat, eggs, even silk, wool etc.

Veterinary science, like medicine, can be pursued after 10 + 2. The basic requirement is physics, chemistry and biology at 10 + 2 level. The theoretical aspect of the course covers all subjects needed for the understanding of animal health, disease and treatment. M.V.Sc. can be pursued after B.V.Sc. through an All India competitive examination.

Veterinary Council of India, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 conducts an All India Common Entrance Examination for admission to 15% of seats in each veterinary college for B.V.Sc. or AH. A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in physics, chemistry, biology and English is required in the qualifying examination for taking the test.

The Indian Council for Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi - 110012 conducts an All India Entrance examination for filling up 15% of the total seats in State Agricultural universities and 100% seats in National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal and Central Agriculture University, Imphal in several subjects related to this field including Veterinary science.