TYPES OF MEDICAL COURSES

This document lists the various specialties and fields in medicine and healthcare.

While we have endeavored to include a comprehensive list, there are many new and emerging fields as well as subspecialties, which may have been overlooked. That said this document should give you an idea of the type of career trajectory you can follow after you complete your MBBS.

Contents

HEALTHCARE vs MEDICINE

TYPES OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.

COURSES AFTER MBBS.

PERIPHERAL – OTHER – COURSES IN MEDICINE OR HEALTHCARE.

Super Specializations in Healthcare.

Online medical courses.

Short Term Courses in Medicine and Healthcare.

HEALTHCARE vs. MEDICINE

Healthcare is a comprehensive term used to include all areas of patient care including pharmacy, diagnostics, emergency, nursing and so on. Medicine on the other hand is the core of healthcare – dealing with direct patient care.

TYPES OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONS

Here is a list of various areas for medical practice. Each speciality may have multiple degrees, qualifications, and courses to offer depending upon the type of practice you want to set up.

  1. Anaesthesiology
  2. Ayurveda
  3. Cardiology
  4. Dentistry
  5. Dermatology
  6. Emergency Care Medicine
  7. Endocrinology
  8. Gastroenterology
  9. Genetics
  10. Geriatrics
  11. Gynaecology
  12. Hematology
  13. Infectious disease Specialist
  14. Intensive Care Medicine
  15. Internal medicine
  16. Neurology
  17. Nursing
  18. Occupational therapy and rehabilitation
  19. Oncology
  20. Ophthalmology
  21. Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
  22. Paediatrics
  23. Pain Management
  24. Pathology
  25. Pathology
  26. Pharma
  27. Physiotherapy
  28. Podiatry
  29. Psychology / Psychiatrist
  30. Pulmonology
  31. Radiology
  32. Rheumatology
  33. Sports Medicine
  34. Surgery
  35. Urology / Nephrology

COURSES AFTER MBBS

  1. MD Aerospace Medicine
  2. MD Anatomy
  3. MD Anesthesia
  4. Diploma Anesthesia
  5. MD Biochemistry
  6. MS Cardiac surgery
  7. MS Cardiothoracic surgery
  8. Diploma Clinical Pathology
  9. MS Cosmetic surgery
  10. MD Dermatology
  11. Diploma DVL
  12. MD ENT
  13. MS ENT
  14. Diploma ENT
  15. MD Forensic Medicine
  16. MD General Surgery
  17. MD Geriatrics
  18. MS Gynecology
  19. Diploma Health Education
  20. Diploma Hospital Administration
  21. Diploma Immunohematology
  22. Diploma Microbiology
  23. Diploma Nuclear medicine
  24. MS Obstetrics
  25. MD Obstetrics & Gynecology
  26. Diploma Obstetrics & Gynecology
  27. Diploma Occupational Health
  28. MD Ophthalmology
  29. MS Ophthalmology
  30. MD Orthopedics
  31. MS Orthopedics
  32. Diploma Pathology
  33. MS Pediatric surgery
  34. Diploma Pediatrics
  35. Diploma Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
  36. MS Plastic surgery
  37. Diploma Psychiatry
  38. Diploma Pulmonary medicine
  39. Diploma Radiotherapy
  40. Diploma Sports Medicine
  41. Diploma Sports Medicine
  42. MS Urology

PERIPHERAL – OTHER – COURSES IN MEDICINE OR HEALTHCARE

DNB – Diplomate of National Board

  • A PG course offered by the government for various specialities

MBA

  • Masters in Business administration for a career in healthcare management

Molecular Imaging and Image Analysis

An emerging field in healthcare that deals with imaging and visualization at the molecular level and observing the activity of molecules – thus facilitating deeper insight

Regenerative Medicine

  • Regenerative medicine – once the realm of science fiction – deals with replacement of cells, tissues, and organs

Biomaterials and Implants

  • Another emerging field that deals with creating and implanting artificial organs

Stem Cells

  • Stem Cell treatment addresses diseases and conditions at the cellular level. It is yet another emerging speciality in healthcare.

Immuno-technology

  • A branch of biotechnology that deals with immunity at cellular and molecular level Applications include industrial-level vaccines.

Recombinant DNA Technology

  • This branch of genetics deals with cloning and restructuring DNA

Biosensors

Biosensors are IoT (Internet of Things) devices that allow remote monitoring of health conditions and lifestyle diseases facilitating home care and prompt response to emergencies.

If you wish to practice in another country, you will have to clear the required exams for those countries. For instance in UK the PLAB is a mandatory entrance test while in Australia you have to clear the AMC. In the US, it is the USMLE exam.

Super Specializations in Healthcare

After completing your masters – MD – you can pursue super specialization (Ph.D. or Doctorate) in one of the following areas –

  1. DM – Doctor of Medicine
  2. DM – Cardiology
  3. DM – Neurology
  4. DM – Nephrology

If you have chosen to study surgery, you have the following options for super specialization –

  1. M.Ch. – Master of Chirurgical
  2. M.Ch. – Neurosurgery
  3. M.Ch. – Plastic Surgery
  4. M.Ch. – Urology

You can also opt for fellowship – which will allow you to earn while you learn. Here are some of the more popular fellowship options –

  1. Fellowship in Neonatology – dealing with new born babies
  2. Fellowship in GI Endoscopy – dealing with diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders
  3. Fellowship in Andrology – dealing with diseases and conditions specific to males
  4. Fellowship in Diabetes Management – dealing with type I and type II diabetes
  5. Fellowship in Fertility Ultrasound – dealing with conception and IVF

Online medical courses

The following distance learning modules for fellowship are available in India –

  1. Fellowship with Master of Medicine
  2. Master of Surgery
  3. Fellowship (MMSc, Blended) – a combined masters in medicine and surgery
  4. Fellowship in Non-Invasive Cardiology – dealing with diseases and conditions of the heart

Short Term Courses in Medicine and Healthcare

  1. Basic Life Support – dealing with first aid and emergency care including in-ambulance care and EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
  2. Critical Care Medicine – dealing with life-threatening emergency care
  3. Diabetes Management – Management of diabetes including medication and diet planning
  4. PGDCC (Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology) – treatment of heart diseases and conditions through medicine
  5. Post-Graduate Certificate Course in Critical Care – higher certification in emergency care
  6. Post-Graduation Certificate Course in Emergency Service
  7. Training in Occupational Health – Occupational health is a branch of physiotherapy that deals with occupation related conditions and rehabilitation of patients. It also includes rehabilitation of trauma cases and people with disabilities.

On a closing note, you will be well advised to explore your options and choices in depth and base your decision on your own capability, aptitude, liking, and other factors such as economic viability.

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