Medicine & Health Sciences

After finishing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS full form in Medical), the student can now specialize in Cardiology or Neurology or any specialization area through the Postgraduate degree which is normally Master's degree (MD or MS in related specialty). 

The first step for the student is to clear the entrance exams, like the NEET PG de facto in India (or equivalent exam depending on the country). When the student finally gets into a program, with great difficulty, he/she must complete an extensive education and training period in their specialty. This includes full time education both theoretically, and practical rotations throughout the program over a number of years (typically 3 years) in hospital rotations and specialized hospital department rotations. 

The student will now have reached the required residency period to be deemed eligible to receive their specialized graduate degree in a related specialization area Cardiology MD or Neurology MD). Additionally, they may continue their education through fellowships or through additional years of specialized training in their areas of interests.

Practical training and internships are necessary for the MBBS curriculum because they assist learning that connects theoretical knowledge with real-life practical medical experience. 

During the early years of practical training, students gain important skills in anatomy dissections, laboratory skills, and clinical examinations. As students get closer to graduation, they start to interact with patients and learn about diagnosis, treatment, and management of medical conditions with guidance. 

The internship year, often the last year of MBBS is essential to professionally develop these skills because it provides students the opportunity to actively practise skills across a variety of medical specialties: surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics, and internal medicine, while developing the deeper aspects of patient care. This experience in practical training provides students the opportunity to finish medical school prepared to be competent, confident and capable doctors treating a variety of medical challenges.

The MBBS syllabus is typically divided into three phases over 5.5 years (including a 1-year internship). 

The structure is as follows:

• Phase 1 (1st Year): Focuses on Basic Sciences, including Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry. The first year lays the foundation for understanding the human body, its functions, and the biochemical processes essential for medical knowledge.

• Phase 2 (2nd Year): Concentrates on Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, and Forensic Medicine. Students learn about the action of drugs, microorganisms, disease processes, and medico-legal aspects of medicine.

• Phase 3 (3rd Year): Includes clinical subjects such as General Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Ophthalmology. Students begin to interact with patients, gaining practical knowledge under supervision.

• Phase 4 (Internship Year): The final year of MBBS is a mandatory internship where students undergo practical training in various departments, including Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, and more. This phase allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in real clinical settings.

Core Subjects Studied During the MBBS course:

• Anatomy: Study of the structure of the human body, including organs, tissues, and systems.

• Physiology: Understanding of how the body functions, including cellular and systemic processes.

• Biochemistry: Study of the chemical processes within and related to living organisms.

• Pharmacology: Knowledge of drugs, their effects, and therapeutic uses.

• Microbiology: Study of microorganisms and their role in human diseases.

• Pathology: Understanding the causes and effects of diseases through tissue analysis.

• Forensic Medicine: Application of medical knowledge to legal issues, including autopsy and identification.

• Community Medicine: Public health, epidemiology, and preventive healthcare practices.

• Surgery: Basic and advanced techniques in treating injuries, diseases, and conditions surgically.

• Obstetrics and Gynecology: Study of pregnancy, childbirth, and female reproductive health.

• Dermatology: Medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.

• Ophthalmology: Study of eye diseases and vision disorders.

• ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat): Disorders related to the ear, nose, and throat.

• Orthopedics: Study of musculoskeletal system disorders, including bones and joints.

• Dermatology: Study of skin-related conditions and diseases.

• Psychiatry: Mental health, disorders, and treatments.

• Medicine: General internal medicine covering a wide range of non-surgical medical conditions.

The challenges brought on by NEET and UPSC exams depend on the individual's background, abilities, and interest in particular subject areas. NEET consists of specific subject areas; NEET consists of subjects covering only Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and students are expected to have a deep understanding of Science concepts and respond to the problems using first principles while applying the solutions as quickly as possible. NEET is also considered more challenging than other entrance exams since the subjects covered are vast and involve intense competition, however NEET can be considered less challenging than UPSC when comparing individual subject matter. UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) is a more difficult and important examination as it assesses not only candidates on General Studies, Current Affairs and an optional subject, whereas NEET is more specialized in the field of medical sciences. UPSC is more difficult as it covers an enormous number of subjects, requires analytical thinking and a variety of written and decision-making skills. While NEET can be assessed as specializing on medical sciences, UPSC requires a generalized knowledge of fact as it relates to multiple fields, making it far more complex and timely than NEET as a whole.