Building blocks of a career in Paediatrics

A paediatrician deals with the health of a new born, infant, child and adolescent helping them to be the greatest resource of a nation. S/he deals with them from the time of conception through simple interventions like giving Iron supplements to the mother during her pregnancy. Thus they save the foetus from some dreaded conditions which may make the survival of the baby almost impossible.

Practising paediatrics is an art and science as a paediatrician has to deal with the family at physical, psychological and socio-economic levels. The Association of Paediatrician assumes the responsibility for children’s physical, mental and emotional progress from conception to maturity. It addresses their concerns for social and environmental influences which have a major impact on their health and wellbeing and that of their families, and finally, the nation.

A student faces a dilemma when s/he is crossing threshold of the secondary examination and has to choose specific stream for his senior secondary stage. Choosing Biology is a game changer as it opens a plethora of careers including medicine. However, for getting admission to a medical college and becoming a specialist in a discipline of his/ her choice through more than five years of intensive medical training is a huge challenge. Unfortunately, there is lack of information and resources at each stage of child’s growth. 
Becoming a doctor is a childhood dream for many. Perhaps, there is no other career which commands such a respect and awe as medicine. The power to heal has placed the medical profession several rungs above all others. A doctor’s profession involves a lot of hard work with a good degree of dedication and at the same time, it also brings with it the satisfaction of having cured people suffering from illness, disease and trauma.

The demand for medical professionals for treatment as well as research work has increased many fold both within India and abroad.  The on-going liberalisation of economy is expected to bring in better opportunities for medical professionals in terms of remuneration, research and working facilities. No wonder that more and more students wish to get into this profession.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Annual Report 2013-2014, there are 387 medical colleges in India (206 private medical colleges and 181 government medical colleges), with a total capacity to train 51,979 medical students each year at the under graduate level and 24,196 students at the post graduate level.  

A basic degree in medicine is however not enough for making a successful and satisfactory career. You may need to specialise in any of the branches of medicine and paediatrics is one such important branch. You may also have to acquire certain computer and IT skills, which are necessary to operate and use sophisticated medical equipments, which not only help in exact diagnosis but also provide options to use non-invasive methods of treatment.

Aptitude

To become a paediatrician one needs to have special aptitude and love for children. It requires availability around the clock and needs the ability to work beyond duty hours, which sometimes goes beyond 16-18 hours a day. The rewards are no less. There will always remain a demand for paediatricians, the remuneration is excellent and respect in society is a bonus. 

A paediatrician is a specialist who gives treatment to infants, children and teenagers. There are many colleges and universities in India that offers courses in Paediatrics. Most of the institutions present the courses at the PG level (Doctor of Medicine). After finishing this programme, the candidates can find employment in any hospital for children. It is also possible for them to become specialists in paediatric ophthalmology/endocrinology or work as a consultant for kids. The remuneration in this field will depend upon the qualification of the candidate, his/her experience and the standard of the firm that hires them.

Qualifying Exam

There are many exams that are being conducted for recruiting candidates for the paediatrics course. Some of them are: CET conducted by National Board of Examinations, Maharashtra, Super speciality Entrance Test (MH SSET), AIIMS Entrance Test; The Post Graduate Medical Entrance Test (PGMET) and the AIPGMEE.
DCH and MD in Paediatrics and its Opportunities.

The basic qualification needed for those who aspire to obtain MD in Paediatrics is an MBBS degree from any institute approved by Medical Council of India. They should also have completed one year internship post their MBBS. Paediatricians who have MD degree can find opportunities in both government and private sector. They can also work as teaching faculty at any Medical Institute.

DNB in Paediatrics and its opportunities

The basic qualification needed for those who aspire to obtain DNB in Paediatrics is MBBS degree from any institute approved by Medical Council of India. They should pass the exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations to obtain the DNB. They should have also completed three year post-MBBS residency training at any teaching hospital approved by this Board. Usually government hospitals prefer MD degree holders than DNB degree holders for the post of paediatrician. Government Institutions also prefer MD degree holders for teaching rather than DNB holders. 

There is further scope of study in the Paediatric sub-specialities like paediatric intensive care, paediatric cardiology, paediatric neurology, paediatric gastroenterology, neonatology etc. The child specialist is one of the unique specialties that is extremely essential for the society and it gives immense satisfaction to the doctor.

The author is a Paediatric Neurologist and is presently the chief medical director, Northern Railways