How to Become a Doctor - Steps to Becoming a Doctor in India | Part 1 of 2 I #ChetChat

Summary

In this insightful interview, final year medical student Divya Parekh shares her journey and insights on pursuing medicine in India. She discusses the early decision to become a doctor, the choice between Indian and international education, and the challenges of entrance exams. Divya highlights the importance of practical experience in Indian medical schools, the significance of community medicine, and the stark difference between government and private institutions in terms of patient exposure and teaching quality. This video offers valuable guidance for aspiring doctors considering their educational path.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Divya Parekh is a final year medical student at Grant Medical College in Mumbai, India.
• 👶 She decided to become a doctor in the third grade, inspired by her older cousin brother's initial interest in the field.
• 🌍 Divya chose to study medicine in India due to the time advantage and the specific medical cases endemic to the country.
• 📚 She made a mistake by initially choosing the IGCSE board, which complicated grade conversion for Indian medical school admission.
• ⏳ The MBBS program in India is five and a half years, including four and a half years of study and a one-year compulsory internship.
• 📉 The time to complete medical studies in India is significantly less compared to eight and a half years in the US.
• 📚 Divya recommends studying in India if one plans to practice there due to the unique medical education and experience provided.
• 🏥 The compulsory internship is a way for the government to get back some of the investment made in the medical student's education.
• 🔍 Practical experience in the Indian medical system includes early exposure to wards and direct patient care from the final year.
• 📈 Large class sizes are common in Indian medical education, but practical sessions are conducted in smaller groups for better interaction.
• 📝 Clearing entrance exams for medical colleges in India is highly competitive, requiring a high level of dedication and sustained study.
• 🏢 Government medical colleges in India offer more clinical experience, while private colleges may have better teaching staff but fewer patients.

Q & A

What inspired Divya Parekh to become a doctor?

Divya Parekh was inspired to become a doctor from an early age, influenced by her older cousin brother who initially wanted to be a doctor but switched to engineering.

Why did Divya choose to study medicine in India rather than abroad?

Divya chose to study medicine in India due to the time advantage, as the MBBS program in India is five and a half years compared to eight and a half years in the US, including pre-med.

What was Divya's experience with the IGCSE board and how did it affect her?

Divya considered choosing the IGCSE board a mistake because it made it difficult to convert her grades into an Indian percentage, which was necessary for her to apply to medical colleges in India.

How does the MBBS program in India differ from studying medicine abroad in terms of duration and curriculum?

The MBBS program in India lasts for five and a half years, with four and a half years of study and a one-year compulsory internship. Abroad, the process includes pre-med and medical school, totaling eight and a half years.

Why is community medicine an important subject for students studying medicine in India?

Community medicine is important for Indian medical students because it deals with cases that are endemic to India, providing a specific understanding of diseases and health issues prevalent in the country.

What is the structure of the MBBS program in terms of practical and theoretical learning?

The MBBS program in India starts with theoretical learning and dissections in the first year, followed by ward visits and observation from the second year. In the final two years, students are posted to wards and are immediately involved in patient care.

What is the significance of the compulsory internship after the MBBS program?

The compulsory internship is a way for students to give back to the government institution that provided their education at a lower cost. It also includes a rural internship component, ensuring exposure to diverse healthcare settings.

How does the Indian medical education system handle large class sizes and ensure effective learning?

While lectures may have large class sizes, practical sessions such as dissections, lab work, and tutorials are conducted in smaller groups to ensure effective learning.

What are the challenges of clearing entrance exams for medical colleges in India?

Clearing entrance exams in India is extremely competitive, with lakhs of students taking the exams. To succeed, students must be highly motivated, manage their time well, and engage in sustained study.

What advice does Divya give for choosing coaching classes for medical entrance exams?

Divya recommends choosing coaching classes that are specific to the common entrance test, start early with weekly tests, and are located conveniently for time management.

What is the difference between government and private medical colleges in terms of patient exposure and teaching quality?

Government medical colleges offer more patient exposure with a greater number of cadavers for dissection and clinical experience. Private colleges, on the other hand, may have fewer patients but provide higher quality teaching.