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
PERIPHERAL – OTHER – COURSES IN MEDICINE OR HEALTHCARE.
Super Specializations in Healthcare.
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.
- Anaesthesiology
- Ayurveda
- Cardiology
- Dentistry
- Dermatology
- Emergency Care Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Genetics
- Geriatrics
- Gynaecology
- Hematology
- Infectious disease Specialist
- Intensive Care Medicine
- Internal medicine
- Neurology
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy and rehabilitation
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
- Paediatrics
- Pain Management
- Pathology
- Pathology
- Pharma
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Psychology / Psychiatrist
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Rheumatology
- Sports Medicine
- Surgery
- Urology / Nephrology
COURSES AFTER MBBS
- MD Aerospace Medicine
- MD Anatomy
- MD Anesthesia
- Diploma Anesthesia
- MD Biochemistry
- MS Cardiac surgery
- MS Cardiothoracic surgery
- Diploma Clinical Pathology
- MS Cosmetic surgery
- MD Dermatology
- Diploma DVL
- MD ENT
- MS ENT
- Diploma ENT
- MD Forensic Medicine
- MD General Surgery
- MD Geriatrics
- MS Gynecology
- Diploma Health Education
- Diploma Hospital Administration
- Diploma Immunohematology
- Diploma Microbiology
- Diploma Nuclear medicine
- MS Obstetrics
- MD Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Diploma Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Diploma Occupational Health
- MD Ophthalmology
- MS Ophthalmology
- MD Orthopedics
- MS Orthopedics
- Diploma Pathology
- MS Pediatric surgery
- Diploma Pediatrics
- Diploma Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- MS Plastic surgery
- Diploma Psychiatry
- Diploma Pulmonary medicine
- Diploma Radiotherapy
- Diploma Sports Medicine
- Diploma Sports Medicine
- 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 –
- DM – Doctor of Medicine
- DM – Cardiology
- DM – Neurology
- DM – Nephrology
If you have chosen to study surgery, you have the following options for super specialization –
- M.Ch. – Master of Chirurgical
- M.Ch. – Neurosurgery
- M.Ch. – Plastic Surgery
- 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 –
- Fellowship in Neonatology – dealing with new born babies
- Fellowship in GI Endoscopy – dealing with diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders
- Fellowship in Andrology – dealing with diseases and conditions specific to males
- Fellowship in Diabetes Management – dealing with type I and type II diabetes
- Fellowship in Fertility Ultrasound – dealing with conception and IVF
Online medical courses
The following distance learning modules for fellowship are available in India –
- Fellowship with Master of Medicine
- Master of Surgery
- Fellowship (MMSc, Blended) – a combined masters in medicine and surgery
- Fellowship in Non-Invasive Cardiology – dealing with diseases and conditions of the heart
Short Term Courses in Medicine and Healthcare
- Basic Life Support – dealing with first aid and emergency care including in-ambulance care and EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)
- Critical Care Medicine – dealing with life-threatening emergency care
- Diabetes Management – Management of diabetes including medication and diet planning
- PGDCC (Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Cardiology) – treatment of heart diseases and conditions through medicine
- Post-Graduate Certificate Course in Critical Care – higher certification in emergency care
- Post-Graduation Certificate Course in Emergency Service
- 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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