Scope of Pursuing BAMS: Know Career Prospects of an Ayurveda Physician

Career Prospects of BAMS Course

Choosing the right career path after school education is one of the biggest life-changing decisions every student has to make. To make a smart decision, it is essential to take note of the changes happening in society and the world around us. Globally, more and more people are turning toward natural cures, as well as holistic and preventive medicine. This is why the value of Ayurveda as a system of medicine is increasing day by day, all over the world. In addition, lifestyle diseases and mental health illnesses such as depression are expected to be the top health issues facing humanity in the coming decades.

Time and again, it has been proven that traditional medicine provides the best option to treat such health issues by restoring the balance of body and mind holistically without taking a toll on the patient through side effects. Ayurveda offers comprehensive preventive and therapeutic approaches through lifestyle interventions. So, what are the different career options after completing a Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine, and Surgery (BAMS) degree?

Most people might think that practising as a physician is the only career option after completing a BAMS degree. Fact is, a number of exciting career options exist for those who complete the five-and-a-half-year BAMS degree beyond medical practice.

Career Prospects After Completing BAMS Degree

Take a look at various career prospects and opportunities after completing a BAMS degree.

Ayurveda drug manufacturing: Apart from a few large organisations, Ayurveda drug manufacturing involves largely small units spread all over India. Given the unorganised state of the market, there is always scope for disruptive new drug manufacturers to break through into the national and international Ayurveda therapies market. In addition to Ayurvedic medicines, the market for natural cosmetics, food supplements, and toiletries is very attractive and new companies are making their mark in the market every year. With multiple options for selling online, locally and globally, e-commerce partners can take the pain of distribution away from new entrants. Medicinal plants, especially those required for rare treatments, are becoming scarce by the day and the rearing of medicinal plants can be a lucrative, niche career for Ayurveda graduates.

Management and marketing of Ayurveda medical centres: Large Ayurveda treatment establishments in the government and private sectors need administrators who have deep domain knowledge in the Ayurveda system of medicine. Marketers who have domain knowledge in Ayurvedic therapies are also in demand in India and globally. Students who complete the Master of Hospital Administration (MHA), Master of Public Health (MPH), or an MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management after their BAMS degree are equipped to fill positions in the administration and marketing of Ayurveda facilities and therapies.

Clinical research in Ayurveda: For the further development of Ayurveda as a system of medicine, clinical research and evidence-based validation of Ayurveda medicine are essential. The government of India and a number of private organisations are investing in Ayurveda research and data analysis. At a number of universities, BAMS graduates can opt for Master of Biotechnology and Master of Bioinformatics programmes to pursue research careers in Ayurveda. Yet another option to pursue a career in research is the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research offered by various institutions and universities across India.

Medical tourism and entrepreneurship: With the popularity of Panchakarma therapy booming across the world, panchakarma therapy centres help the government gain valuable foreign exchange and provide BAMS students with a lucrative avenue for entrepreneurship. BAMS students can top up their degree with a Postgraduate Diploma in Panchakarma and specialise in Panchakarma therapy. Students with an entrepreneurial drive can open their own Panchakarma therapy centres and ride the Ayurveda medical tourism wave that states such as Kerala are experiencing.

Ayurvedic medical practice: Ayurvedic doctors are in demand across India in both the government and private sectors. A BAMS degree also sets you on the path to entrepreneurship through private practice. It is advisable to shadow a well-known Ayurvedic doctor for at least one to two years to gain experience before you strike out on your own. Ayurveda’s popularity is booming outside India. There are close to a dozen Ayurvedic clinics in the United States itself including one hospital-based clinic that has treated more than 25,000 people since 1985. Ayurveda clinics of popular Indian hospital chains in the Middle East see very high footfalls and they are patronised not only by expatriate Indians, but also by people from the neighbouring countries of India such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in addition to the local Arab population. With Germany, which hosts the European Academy of Ayurveda, as the nerve centre, Ayurveda treatment is also gaining in popularity in Austria, Switzerland, and Italy as well. These medical centres need expert physicians and they open up international career opportunities for Ayurveda graduates. After gaining specialised knowledge, a BAMS graduate can specialise in niche areas such as spinal disorders, skin diseases, or alimentary canal diseases where Ayurveda has a special role to play.

With government support in terms of patent protection and GST benefits, as well as the significant advocacy measures of the AYUSH ministry, Ayurveda is increasingly gaining a place in the popular imagination of the youth as a career choice. Unlike in the past when medical practice was the only option available to BAMS graduates, the multiple and lucrative career avenues along with the global opportunities make Ayurveda a career path that millennials interested in medical care cannot ignore.

About the Author: Dr Partap Chauhan is one of the leading authorities in Ayurveda treatment in the world. In addition to being the Founding Director of Jiva Ayurveda, Dr Chauhan serves as the Chairman of the International Cell of All India Indian Medicine Graduate Association. He is a visiting professor at Ayurveda Gurukula, Japan, Ayurveda Academy, Lithuania, and several international universities. He is also a lifetime Ashoka Fellow, an author, a public speaker, and a TV personality.