MD or Doctor of Medicine is a three-year postgraduate degree course for students who have graduated in the field of medicine. The course offers a detailed knowledge in the area in which MBBS students want to specialise. For most of the specialisations (with a few exceptions), the MD programme is of the duration of three years or six semesters. Students will need to successfully clear the examination held at the end of six semesters, which includes both the theoretical and practical aspects of their learning during the course.
The MD course is governed by the Medical Council of India (MCI), which recognises and approves all medical courses offered by various institutions in India. There is more of practical and research orientation provided to students by the MD programme. While students will need to work hard during this course, the result may come in the form of high salaries at specialist positions in the healthcare sector. While the course is majorly available as a full-time option, a few specialised programmes may have a distance learning option.
Various renowned academic institutions and universities offer the MD course in India. These include the private, as well as public institutions. While there are many such colleges and universities that let students pursue MD in varied domains, some of the most popular ones include the following:
Please note that the above-mentioned and other medical institutions may have their own MD specialisations. Not all colleges offer the MD course in all specialisations. In addition, every institution may have its own course fee structure per the course it offers. Generally, the course fee for MD may vary between INR 3 lakhs and 5 lakhs. However, a few institutions may charge above INR 5 lakhs for an MD programme.
To go ahead with a specialised MD course, it is important to hold certain skills essentially. While candidates applying for admission in MD may have an interest in the particular domain, they should possess the following qualities to excel in the course:
Candidates who want to apply for the MD course must possess an MBBS degree from a university that is acknowledged by MCI. While it is a stringent criterion for MD admissions, candidates also need to have scored a minimum percentage of marks set by every institution. As this minimum marks percentage may vary by institution, candidates should ensure that they meet this condition for the specific institution in which they want to apply.
Further, MD admissions are mostly done based on NEET PG or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (PG) ranks. Thus, institutions may set their own cut-off ranks at which they would accept the candidates for admission. With a good rank in the entrance exam, candidates may secure admission in one of the top medical institutions. In addition to the NEET rank requirement, institutions may have other eligibility criteria for Indian and foreign students to apply for the MD course. Candidates must be sure of meeting every single criterion.
The MD programme is available in varied universities and institutions with several different specialisations. Students should decide to pursue a specialisation course according to their career goals and aspirations. Following are some of the commonly available MD specialisations that students may choose from:
The specialisation course in cardiology focuses on the cardio disorders or the disorders of the heart. Students in this MD specialisation learn to diagnose and treat artery diseases, disorders of heart valves, and varied congenital heart defects. They also get trained in electrophysiology, as well as in treating circulatory illnesses. Students of cardiology learn to conduct a variety of tests like EKG and heart catheterisations.
Job Prospects: After completing a specialised MD Course in Cardiology, students can turn into skilled cardiologists who work at hospitals and private clinics. Students can also take up job roles like a nuclear cardiologist, electrophysiologist, interventional cardiologist, and paediatric cardiologist. Medical facilities and research centres recruit cardiologists at different levels per their overall qualifications and experience.
Students who go for the MD Course in Clinical Pharmacology learn about the drug therapy and the interaction between humans and therapeutic agents. They also get to study about pharmacogenetics, drug types and interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring, and the reactions of different drugs. Effective information on drugs and their prescription can maximise their effects and reduce side effects in patients.
Job Prospects: Those who complete a course in clinical pharmacology can make a strong career as pharmacology tutors, medical advisors, researcher, and even pharma products sales and marketing managers. They can work with hospitals, nursing homes, research centres, and pharmaceutical firms. They can also choose to open their own drug stores or pharmacy shops. Several government departments, teaching institutes, and research institutes also hire clinical pharmacology experts.
The MD endocrinology specialisation deals with the study of the endocrine system and its diseases and hormones. Students learn about several developmental events and functional coordination in the human body. They also learn to diagnose, investigate, plan and execute the testing and management of endocrine.
Job Prospects: By completing a course in endocrinology, students can work as medical officers, clinical leaders, Endocrinology consultants, medical transcriptionists, medical coders, and even scientific sales executives. They can find suitable positions in private clinics, healthcare facilities, and academic institutions.
MD (Haematology)
This specialisation of the MD course is linked to blood and its components and diseases. Students in this course can learn about the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of blood-related diseases like anaemia, clotting, malaria, Chagas disease, and thalassemia. They also perform various tests for blood count, sickle cell screen, haemoglobin, coagulation, bone marrow aspirate, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, etc.
Job Prospects: Students who complete the MD haematology course can become haematologists, general practitioners, general surgeons, oncologists, or chief medical officers. They can go for relevant positions in polyclinics, labs, health centres, nursing homes, medical trusts, pharma companies, biomedical firms, and research institutions.
Students pursuing the medical gastroenterology specialisation in the MD course gain an in-depth understanding of the digestive system, gastrointestinal tract, and related organs and their diseases. They learn to diagnose and treat such diseases and perform varied types of tests like endoscopy, liver biopsy, colonoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, etc. The field of gastroenterology is actually a speciality of internal medicine.
Job Prospects: After course completion, students can look for careers as gastroenterologists, general practitioners or surgeons, nutritionists, or GI doctors. They can get associated with both private and public hospitals and nursing homes.
The domain of Nephrology deals with kidneys and their diseases. Students pursuing this specialised course learn about the functions and diseases of kidneys as well as the ways to treat such diseases through medication and diet improvement. They are also able to perform dialysis and processes like kidney transplantation to take care of renal conditions.
Job Prospects: The MD Course in Nephrology can help a student turn into a professional nephrologist or renal physician. After course completion, students can work in clinics, hospitals, academic institutions, and even some government agencies. There are several career options available in the form of nephrology specialists, consultants to physicians, and dialysis medical officers.
Anatomy is the study of the structure of human body, which includes several interesting areas of study. These areas are neuroanatomy, radiological anatomy, clinical anatomy, myology, systematic embryology, surface anatomy, histology, genetics, and many others. After completing the MD Course in Anatomy, students can work individually or within teams.
Job Prospects: Several research institutions need the services of an anatomist, who has an understanding of the human body from molecular to gross level. Students can become anatomy readers, configuration analysts, medical coders, or team leaders in the anatomy departments of medical and research facilities.
Students pursuing the MD Course in Dermatology deal with several skin diseases and those of the nails and hair. Such diseases range from allergies and infections to skin cancer. Students learn to treat these diseases through medical and surgical ways.
Job Prospects: Dermatology studies can open several career avenues for students. Dermatologists may not only do their own practice and open clinics but may also work as medical dermatologists, cosmetic dermatologists or surgical dermatologists in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, biomedical firms, NGOs, research institutions, and health centres.
Many students are interested in an alternative form of medicine, which is homoeopathy. The MD Course in Homeopathy focuses on the natural healing of the body and application of only minor remedies.
Job Prospects: Homeopathy specialists or doctors can find job opportunities in research institutions and clinics, as well as hospitals and homoeopathic pharmacies. They can also work as consultants and pharmacists or start their own homoeopathic clinic.
This specialised MD course is targeted at the medical care of children. Students of paediatrics majorly diagnose and treat medical conditions in babies and young children. They are also able to deliver community-based medical care for children. Professionals in the field of paediatrics are in high demand and can get high-paying jobs.
Job Prospects: Students specialising in paediatrics can go on becoming paediatricians in the relevant hospital units. They can also work as nutritionists, community health officers, and anatomists. Paediatricians are also required at family welfare organisations.
Pathology is the study of diseases, including their causes, spread, and consequences. Students specialising in pathology in the MD course learn to diagnose, test and treat various diseases. The focus is mainly on the use of genetic technologies, as well as on mapping the bodily responses to various foreign influences.
Job Prospects: After completing the course in pathology, students can be trained pathologists who can work with doctors and physicians in medical facilities. They help other health professionals in detecting, preventing, and treating diseases. Some other jobs they can take up include roles like medical examiner, cytotechnologist, forensic technician, medical lab technician, and consultant.
MD (Radiology)
Students in the MD Course in Radiology receive a detailed knowledge of radio physics, X-ray production, detection and measurement and interaction of radiation, ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, radiology, computed tomography, etc.
Job Prospects: Those who pass radiology courses can work as radiologists, radiographers, ultrasound technicians, medical sonographers, CT scan technologists, and MRI technicians. They can find good opportunities in all kinds of healthcare facilities.
This specialised MD course is concentrated on the learning of the application of radiation medicine. It is majorly done for the treatment of cancer. Students not only learn about radiation physics and radiation oncology but also about cancer treatment therapies that include chemotherapy.
Job Prospects: Radiotherapy specialists take up job roles like radiation oncologist, medical sonographer, radiation therapist, and radiology technicians. Most of the healthcare clinics, hospitals, health centres, private clinics, and even college medical centres hire radiotherapy specialists. Thus, their job prospects are ample.
Several medicine graduates remain interested in pursuing the MD course in Acupuncture or Oriental medicine. They learn about special treatment strategies in acupuncture.
Job Prospects: Various medical facilities hire acupuncture experts as massage therapists, acupuncture consultants, chiropractors, and physical therapists. These experts can also work in military services or start their own private practice. After gaining a few years’ experience in their domain, acupuncture consultants can do great in terms of earnings.