POST GRADUATION

"POST GRADUATION"
The Prevailing Scenario:
In today's world it has become increasingly difficult to get a PG seat. The existing set of rules and reservations makes it extremely difficult to get a seat in the very first attempt. Those of us who are brilliant have no problem securing a seat, but those of us who are mediocre and hard working (like myself) find it tough to get through. If u dont get a seat and try to opt for an nri seat the medical colleges are causing the fees to skyrocket effectively making it financially impossible for a normal middle class family doctor. I would like to put forward the various options available for such a doctor. Before venturing out to the world of post graduation & super-speciality ask yourself the following things:

1) What line of medicine are you interested in?

Most of us blindly follow our seniors and try to get into clinical subjects or follow others interests. Ask for yourself what subject are you interested in? Think back to your days in pre-graduate days, which subject was most interesting? Once you have pin pointed this, be sure that if you do your post graduation in that subject you will excel in that subject. Remember all medical subjects are equally important and they contribute in their own way to the whole of medical science.
E.g.: Surgery and anatomy are interlinked. A good surgeon needs to have a sound knowledge of the anatomical parts of the body, not only by sight but also by feel.

2)Are you interested to go abroad or to stay back in INDIA?

This is a very important aspect you need to answer for yourself before planning further. If you are interested in going abroad, then most of the Indian clinical degrees (Medicine; Surgery; OBG; Pediatrics; Orthopedics, Ophthalmology) are probably less useful unless done in some premier institution like AIIMS OR PGI. In such cases its prudent if you choose subjects like Microbiology & Immunology, Psychiatry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Anatomy & Genetics, Community Medicine Etc. Such subjects will get you a good placement in a decent institution abroad. In case you are very much interested in clinical fields then its prudent to take the qualifying exams of the country you intend to go and do a 3 year residency there in the clinical subject of your choice. Some good places for a Indian doctor to settle down are

Some good places for a Indian doctor to settle down are: United States of America: In order to practice medicine in the united states, an overseas doctor has to compulsorily pass their USMLE Licensing exams Australia & New Zealand: This is currently one of the easiest and most rewarding locations for an Indian doctor interested to go abroad. According to work rules of Australia, a qualified doctor should be paid a minimum salary of $ 1 lakh/- an year, so if a doctor manages to pass their licensing exam then he can be assured of a good posting and decent pay. MRCP is valid in Australia as well as New Zealand. United Kingdom: Of recent times UK has become a less preferred destination for Indian doctors as getting a job in UK has become tough. But it would be a good idea to work there at least temporarily and move on the the USA as one can get multiple entry for US from there. PLAB is mandatory to practice in UK, while MRCP/ FRCS exams are valid in the UK. Nepal: You can do your post graduation in Nepal. With these degrees you can do your private practice within INDIA. Republic of Seychelles: University of Seychelles offers WHO recognized PG degrees for Indian Graduates.

3) Are you interested in research oriented fields or teaching oriented fields?

Some of us are interested in teaching, while some of us are interested in research based studies. In such cases its better to go to such a field than a clinical oriented field. Biochemistry; Microbiology; Immunology; Genetics; Pharmacology; Oncology; Pathology offer excellent opportunities for research. Now a days its a better option than clinical medicine because it is not only a paying & financially secure field but also is a 9 to 5 job.
So if you are inclined into research don't hesitate just take a step forward, you will not have any regrets later in life.

4) Do you want to join "Government service/ teach in a college" or do you place to set up a private practice and be a consultant to various hospitals?

This is one thing you need to sort out with a calm and cool head. Now a days its more profitable to work privately than to join a teaching job in a medical college or a government sponsored PHC job. If you are sure that you don't intend to go into these above 2 jobs categories then there are lots of valid foreign degrees as well as Indian certificate courses which are at par or even better than an MCI recognized degree. Since you already have a basic MBBS degree, you are legally qualified to practice medicine anywhere in India.

I have written this post with whatever ideas i have and information i got...however to err is human...you can feel free to comment and ask me to add or delete anything...