S. Vishnu Sharma
PhD in medicine is about undertaking research in medical related subjects after completion of post graduate studies.
Collegechalo tries to bring in the whole scenario related to pursuing PhD in medicine in India through this story.
PhD in medicine: All about great medical research
Research
Doing a PhD in medicine is about undertaking research in any one of the vital areas of medicine like cardiology, neurology or paediatrics.
PhD in medicine is a full-time programme and is of three to five year duration.
The eligibility
Eligibility criteria for undertaking PhD in medicine is a post graduate degree in related field of medicine (MS/MD) with a minimum pass percentage of 50 to 55 from a recognised educational institution in India.
Those who have earned a Diploma in National Board (DNB) in any concerned subject can also apply for PhD in medicine.
Candidates who have passed their Post graduation in either of M.Optometry or M.Sc. in Medical Degree from any recognized university in Physiology, Anatomy, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and so on with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks can also apply for PhD in medicine.
Benefit of research
Pursuing PhD in medicine has lot of benefits, it helps understanding the subject in depth which is neccessary if one has to become a subject-matter-expert.
Pursuing a PhD in medicine helps strengthen the hold on various inner nuances of the subject which bestows the ability to find solutions to the problems in a shorter duration.
Selection method
Candidates willing to purse PhD in medicine must write an entrance test on all India level.
Post getting a good score in the entrance test, applicants have to attend an interview conducted by various colleges to get a seat to pursue PhD in medicine.
More about PhD in medicine
PhD in medicine is for those students who wish to conduct more research in medicines, this will help gain a broader understanding of the subject where all the major areas of medical sciences are covered extensively.
Candidates who pursue Phd in medicine expand their understanding of major areas of the course, which will help them take up more indepth research work in future.
MD vs DM vs PhD
What is the difference between MD, DM and PhD. MD is a post graduate degree in medicine, its expansion is Masters in General Medicine.
MD is to be studied after students complete their MBBS degree. Candidates who want to become general surgeon opt for MD.
On the other hand DM is expanded as Doctorate of Medicine which is a post graduate super specialty degree.
Candidates who wish to study DM have to complete their MD course. A candidate can obtain MD in pver four years, where as obtaining PhD in medicine may take from four to seven years.
If one is willing to play a major part in the clinical side, where they wish to utilise their expertise and diagonse the patiemt, MD would be ideal.
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For those who are eager in taking a career in research field or in teaching field PhD in medicine would be a good thing to do.
Syllabus
The syllabus for PhD in medicine is designed in such a way that all topics of relevance are covered and gradually it moves into conducting research, dissertation and compiling the knowledge to build a thesis.
All major topics of the medical arena like Neurology, epidemology are included in PhD in medicine.
The first two years will be classroom study which has clinical course-work. Students can choose their specialisation in the final year after their classroom study.
The topics
Some of the topics that will be covered in PhD in medicine are Research Methodology, Application of Medical Science, Hospital Waste and Disposal Management.
Also among the topics are Advances in Physiology & Microbiology Stem Cells and Regeneration, Biochemistry and application of DNA Nano biosensor, Advances in Medicines, Advances in Pharmacology, Advances in Anatomy and Research Thesis.
However students have to remember that these topics may vary from one institution to the other as they may be having their own standards and would set in their own syllabus in tandem with their standards.
Popular colleges
There are many colleges across India that offer PhD in medicine. The most popular among them are Dr. DY Patil Medical College of Pune, AIIMS of New Delhi and Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) of Tirupati.
Overview
AIIMS, New Delhi
At AIIMS research is not just a routine activity but rather a mission with three objectives.
As anywhere else, the primary purpose of research is to gratify curiosity by disciplined activity, thereby leading to creation of new knowledge.
But at AIIMS, they are also conscious of the role research can play in improving the quality of teaching.
A teacher engaged in research is up to date with recent information, and can also inculcate a sprit of enquiry and freedom of thought into his/her students.
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Finally, research at AIIMS is apart of our national endeavor to cultivate a scientific temper and to eliminate from our society the way of authority and superstition.
More information about AIIMS, New Delhi is available at ‘https://www.aiims.edu/en/about-us/research-and-clinical-program.html’
Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (Andhra Pradesh)
Alleviating human suffering has been a part of dedicated services of Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) to the mankind.
To provide the most advanced medical technology to the needy, the T.T.D. has launched a monument, a blessing from the Lord by opening Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, a sophisticated super specialty hospital in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
SVIMS was conceived in the year 1986 on the lines of AIIMS (New Delhi) and the foundation stone was laid on 18.4. 1986 by N.T.Rama Rao, the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
It was established with a view to providing Super Specialty facilities with nominal cost to the poor.
SVIMS located in the world famous pilgrimage town Tirupati is also a known name for post-graduate teaching and conduct of research in the relevant disciplines of modern medicine and other allied sciences, including inter-disciplinary fields of Physical and Biological Sciences.
The website to know more about the institution is ‘http://svimstpt.ap.nic.in/’
The fees
The fees students have to pay for completing PhD in medicine is different for various colleges in India.
Sources point out that fees for pursuing PhD in medicine is from Rs 25,000 on an average to about Rs 1,32,000 on an average.
Soources point out that fees for doing PhD in SVIMS in Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh is Rs 42,000, the same at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University of Odisha is said to be about Rs 91,000.
However, students willing to take up PhD in medicine must remember that exact fee details may differ due to various reasons.
Applicants who want to know the exact fee details for pursuing PhD in medicine can call up the respective colleges and enquire about the fees.
The details about the college and their websites will be available on the internet. Using search engines like Google, students can find out a lot about the educational institutions.
Job profiles and pay packages
Candidates who have completed PhD in medicine can be employed as medical scientists, researchers, professors, hospital administrators, medical and health service managers.
Medical scientists
One who becomes a medical scientist after completing PhD in medicine has to work for finding new methods in treating patients, conduct research on specimens.
The pay package per annum is about Rs 6 to 7 lakhs.
Researchers
Those who become researchers after completing PhD in medicine have to gather information and analyse and test it to find out refined treatment methods for ailments.
The pay package per annum is about Rs 6 to 7 lakhs.
Professors
Those who become professors after completing their PhD in medicine teach students and also guide them in their research work.
They also play a crucial role in helping the students understand the core concepts of various disciplines of medical science.
The annual pay package for a professor would be around Rs 10 to 12 lakhs.
Hospital Administrator
Another venue where those who completed their PhD in medicine can prove their mettle is hospital administration.
Hospital Administrator is incharge of day-to-day operations in a hospital and plays crucial role in implementing policies that ensure hospital work goes on without a hinderance.
Hospital administrator is also incharge of finances and also medical policies of the hospital.
The annual pay package for hospital administrator is about Rs 4 to 6 lakhs.
Medical and Health Service Managers
Role of these personnel is to supervise the work of subordinates, ensure patients get all the required care.
Medical and health service manager also are responsible for coordinating with various departments in hospitals and healthcare centres to ensure the regular work goes on without fail.
The annual pay for these personnel ranges from Rs 6 to 7 lakh.