Nursing | Pharmaceutical | Physiotherapy | Occupational Therapy | Speech Therapy | Prosthetic & Orthotic Engineering | Homeopathy

There is great scope for medicine as a professional career. The field of medical studies have undergone various stages of development. Today apart from the basic MBBS level, there are specialisations and even super specialisations. 
The basic or degree level qualification for a medical profession is MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine And Bachelor Of Surgery) which is of 5 1/2 years (including internship) duration.
At the post graduate level, there is specialisation in Medicine and Surgery. Post Graduate Programmes (MD or MS) is usually 3 years. For specialisation, qualification is MBBS + MD or  MS or Diplomas in the various areas of specialisation. 
Doctors with Post Graduation (MD or MS or M.Sc in medicine) can further specialise by doing Ph.D in any specialised area of medicine. MD or MS holders can complete the Doctoral Programme (Ph.D) in 2 years and M.Sc medicine holders in 3 years. 

MBBS
Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent with Science subjects
Duration: 5 1/2 years including internship
Fees: Around Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 3 lakhs per year (it varies from institution to institution)
Selection: Through Entrance Test (Details in Entrance Details & Syllabus) 

Some of the common areas of specialisation in Medicine and Surgery are:

General Practitioner or Physician: He diagnosis and treats the every day and sundry ailments of the human body.
General Surgeon : Is one who specialises in surgery for all organs of the body. He can further specialise in specific areas. Duties involve examining the patient to determine the extent and nature of injury, treatment through operation and giving post operative care. Surgery is of various types Orthopaedic, Plastic, Neuro etc.
Anaesthetist or Anaesthesiologists: Administers anesthetics to a patient undergoing surgical operation according to the nature of operation. It is he who make the surgical procedure as painless as possible. His duties involve examining the patient to determine his capacity to withstand shock of operation and anesthesia.    
Psychiatrist: Diagnoses and treats mental disorders.
Neurologist: Diagnosis and treats diseases related to brain and nervous system. 
Pediatrician: Deals with children's diseases.
Ophthalmologist or Eye Specialist: Treats diseases and disorders of eyes.
Pathologist: Investigate the cause of various diseases and the possibilities for their prevention. His duties involve conducting chemical, microscopic and bacteriological test in labs and examining blood, tissues, urine etc. to find out the cause for disease. 
Cardiologist: Also called as heart specialist. Treats diseases related to heart and circulatory system.
Gynaecologist-Obstetrician: Diagnosis and treats diseases and disorders of human female reproduction system.
Dermatologist: Diagnosing and treating skin ailments.
Orthopaedist: Deals with diseases connected to skeletal system. It involves diagnosing, treatment and correction of diseases/deformities of skeletal system. 
Gastroenterologist: Treats diseases related to liver, pancreas, stomach, intestine, bowels and gall bladder
Radiologist: Diagnosis diseases and disorders by studying X-ray pictures of affected parts and gives treatment such as therapeutic radiation to affected parts of the body. 
ENT specialist: Treats disorders of ear, nose and throat
Tuberculosis Specialist: Treats ailments due to infection by tubercular disease
Venereologist: Treats venereal or sexual diseases.
Bacteriologist: Also called Microbiologist. Conducts research and laboratory experiments on occurrence, growth, development, control and utilization of bacteria and other micro-organisms. 
Physiologist: Studies normal functioning of different organs and tissues of human body and investigates effects of physical environments such as variations in altitude, speed, temperature etc on its vital functions.
Nutritionist: Gives instructions regarding food values and utilization of foods in human body to keep it healthy and control diseases. He prescribes diet for various diseases. 
Chiropodist : Also called pedicurist, treats foot diseases and abnormalities. He treats corns, blisters etc using surgical instruments.
Dentist or Dental surgeon : Treats surgically and medically diseases and disorders related to teeth, gums and soft tissues of mouth. The basic degree is BDS. At Master level (MDS) specialisation is possible in areas such as Operative Dentistry or Oral Surgery. Admission to the Masters Programme requires 2 years of experience.

Qualification required to be a specialist:
MBBS + MD or  MS or Diploma in the various areas of specialisation. 

Job Prospects:
Job opportunities include employment in government or private hospitals, Defence Services, Nursing homes, Poly- clinics, Research and Health centers, Medical colleges etc. There is also scope to do your own practice while being visiting specialists at various hospitals or visiting faculty at Medical colleges.

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Other Medical Fields

Nursing :

A nurse assists doctors and render services to the patients in getting the temperature and pulse recorded, administering medication both orally and through injections, changing dressings, giving personal care, preparing patients for surgery etc.
Courses available to become a Nurse: 
B.Sc Nursing - 3-4 yrs, General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)- 3 years 6 months, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife-18 months, Health worker (female)- 18 months
Qualification required for admission:
B.Sc Nursing - 10+2 with Biology, Physics, Chemistry
General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)- 10+2 with Biology, Physics, Chemistry
Auxiliary Nurse Midwife - Class 10 pass
Health worker (female) -  Class 10 pass
Job Prospects: 
They can find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, sanatoria, schools, industry and private medical clinics.  There are opportunities with Defence Forces where nursing graduates can aspire to become commissioned officers.

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Pharmacist :

They are concerned with production of pharmaceutical products, development of the methods of production and quality control. They also deliver medicines as per the prescription given by a doctor and gives instructions regarding the mode of consumption of medicine.
Courses available to become a Pharmacist: 
Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm)- 2 yrs, Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)- 4 yrs, Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm)-1 1/2 or 2 yrs, Research Studies (Ph.D)-2 to 3 yrs.
Qualification required for admission:
 D.Pharm and B.Pharm - 10+2 in science subjects; M.Pharm - B.Pharm, Ph.D- M.Pharm
Job Prospects :
Pharmacists can find employment with drug manufacturing companies, research organisations in private and Govt. sectors and in dispensaries and medical stores.

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Paramedical Fields

Physiotherapist:

He uses Physical exercise therapy, other therapeutic agents like heat, radiation, water, electricity, water etc. and massage to cure weaknesses and rebuild damaged muscles, joints and bones. 
Course : Bachelor course in  Physiotherapy (BPT)-  3 years + 6 months internship.
Qualification required for admission:
Bachelor course in  Physiotherapy (BPT) - 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. 
Job Prospects
They can find employment in Rehabilitation/Orthopedic departments of hospitals. There is also scope for private practice. 

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Occupational Therapist:

Rehabilitates physically handicapped and mentally retarded persons. It is a kind of treatment imparted through indulging in different activities like handicrafts, manual and industrial art, recreation and activities of daily living. 
Course: B.Sc Occupational Therapy -3 years + 6 months internship
Qualification required for admission:
B.Sc- is 10 + 2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Duration of the course is 3 years.
Job Prospects:
They can find employment in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, diagnostic centers etc. They can also offer freelance service. 

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Speech Therapist:

He is concerned with the treatment of loss of hearing and problems of speaking. He imparts treatment speech impairments like stammering and other communication disabilities through Psychological help and supportive speech therapy. 
Course: B.Sc Audiology and Speech Therapy- 3 years
Qualification required for admission:
B.Sc - 10 + 2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology with 50% marks
Job Prospects:
They can find employment in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, Medical departments of the state and central governments etc. They can also offer freelance service. 

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Prosthetic & Orthotic Engineering:

It involves manufacture of artificial structures which may replace the inoperative parts or missing parts of the body. 
Course: Diploma in Prosthetic or Orthotic Engineering
Qualification required for admission:
Diploma in Prosthetic or Orthotic Engineering: 10 + 2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The course is of 3 years duration.
Job Prospects:
They can find employment in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, diagnostic centers, polyclinics etc

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Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a system of medicine recognised as an effective means of treating diseases.. Though this system was developed abroad, it has become an integral part of the Indian way of life. There are many institutes imparting Homeopathy courses in India.
Courses :
B.H.M.S- Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery- 5 1/2 years, D.H.M.S-Diploma in Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery
Qualification required for admission:
B.H.M.S - 10 + 2 in physics, chemistry, Biology and English with minimum 45 % marks
Job prospectus :
They can get jobs as Homeopathy doctors in Homeo clinics or practice independently

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