Career in Medicine beyond MBBS

MBBS is one of the top career choices in India. Students from different economic backgrounds aim to become doctors, and take science as their subject in the 12th class. Preparing for MBBS itself is a rigorous process. Getting into medical college in India is not easy for any of the students preparing for it. In India, the NEET exam is undertaken by the aspirants for securing admission in medical colleges. The students are required to have studied science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology in the 12th class. NEET is considered one of the toughest exams to crack in India. But students willingly take the exam, and also prepare rigorously for the exam. The main issue, however, has been the admission in the medical colleges. Even with the NEET qualification, one may not get into their preferred medical college and this really creates difficulty for the students. Similarly, the high cost of pursuing MBBS, which spans over 5 years, and costs lakhs of rupees, cannot be afforded by everyone. Therefore, the students in search of quality education opt for MBBS abroad. For these students, Russia becomes one of the top destinations for pursuing MBBS abroad.
However, there are students who often join MBBS due to peer pressure and there is obviously high risk of failures in the MBBS study as well as profession. A lot of people pursue preparation for a medical career after taking biology due to the lack of career options. However, that is not the reality at all. Apart from MBBS there are a plethora of courses related to medicine which are not MBBS, yet they are highly economic and also have good job options.
The issue with MBBS aspirants is that they never tend to look beyond being doctors, therefore there is always confusion and a lot of misconceptions, that really hinders the progress of the biology students.
1. Alternative Medicine:
Apart from MBBS, there are a plethora of courses related to medicine that one may explore. One may have heard about a lot of various types of medicinal studies like homeopathy, Unani, Ayurveda and more recently gaining popularity, fields like Naturopathy. The courses for these are as follows:
BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery)
BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathy and Surgery)
BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences)
There are different durations for all of these courses and these options are available in India and abroad. In India, the course duration of BAMS is of 4.5 years whereas for BUMS, BHMS, BNYS is of 5.5 years each and NEET qualification is required. NEET qualification is mandatory if one wants to pursue a career in these fields. These courses have been in existence for a long time now and gaining popularity over the years. These are all interesting fields of study and practice in the domain of alternative medicine. There are government as well as private institutions for that with decent affordable fees and a good work environment. One should not worry about employment because this field is open for all. Similarly, for research and other related studies, there are good grants and funding for that.
2. Pharmaceuticals:
Pharmaceuticals are an underrated field related to medicine. The pandemic has made us realize the importance of these studies. Students interested in this field can pursue Bachelor of Pharmacy and other related courses like B. Pharm. (Hons.), B. Pharma. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Ayurvedic. The duration of these courses are four years and the option of doing an integrated MBA in 5 years is also open.
3. Biotechnology:
This field is quite multidisciplinary and has been attracting students for a long time. This field includes several disciplines like Genetic Engineering, Environment Technology, Molecular & Cellular Engineering, Industrial Microbiology, Bioinformatics etc. This course is taught as B. Tech in Biotechnology in various engineering colleges in India. These courses are also profitable in terms of employment.
4. Veterinary and Animal Sciences:
The specialist doctors for animals is also an option one can explore, this field expands from genetics and breeding to gynecology, pathology, animal nutrition, microbiology, physiology, medicine, wildlife studies, etc. and requires NEET qualification. A Bachelors in Veterinary Sciences is the right course to pursue. In the era of pandemics and the expanding arena of research regarding different species, this field is best for not only animal welfare but for research as well.
5. Bio-physics:
Utilizing mathematics and computer modelling, this stream applies the principles of physics to biology. From molecular level to cell population level, biophysics has a wide reach. Its aim is to provide an understanding of the ways in which living organisms behave. It includes research in areas such as neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, structural biology, biochemistry, and medicine.
A B.Sc. in Biophysics has, aside from the education sector (such as professors and teachers) and research-based industries, a variety of options. As a scientist, one can specialize in nutritional biophysics, medical biophysics, chemical biophysics or applied biophysics.
6. Forensic Sciences:
Forensic sciences have been around for a long time. Used in police and criminal investigation, and a lot of other research areas require specialists for this thing and therefore it is a viable career option for the students with biology in 12th class. It provides good opportunities for research and work in police and other such departments and has a good pay as well.
7. Paramedical Sciences:
A paramedical course is a type of medical training that focuses on a certain employment position. These are highly specialized courses that educate students for real-world medical scenarios. The importance of paramedical courses has been recognized due to the medical field’s requirement for qualified paramedics.
Compared to a traditional MBBS degree, paramedicine is one of the most cost-effective and time-efficient ways to enter the medical industry. It is a career-oriented education with a wide range of job options. A three- to four-year undergraduate program in paramedical sciences would provide a lot of employment opportunities in the medical field.
The different courses required for paramedical sciences include the following:
Bachelors of Radiation Technology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Dialysis Therapy, Medical Lab Technology, Optometry, X-Ray Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Operation Theatre Technology, Medical Record Technology, Medical Imaging Technology, Anesthesia Technology, etc.
8. Hospital and Healthcare Management:
A master’s degree in hospital management or a master’s degree in healthcare management is currently one of the most in-demand degrees. The program normally lasts four years. Graduates of these programs may not directly contribute to patient treatment, but they are heavily involved in monitoring the healthcare process in large medical organizations. With their engagement, communication between various departments in hospitals is usually more coordinated and more efficient.
These are some of the options available after NEET and 12th that the students may look at for a better future while being in touch with the medical profession in different ways.