Medical Science is a vast and a very significant field. This profession is very much rewarding but it needs a lot of effort in studying medical science. The most popular form of treatment is:
-Allopathic
-Homeopathi
-Ayurvedic
-Unani

Entry to all medical or dental courses is through competitive examinations. Paramedical options are also very competitive. The task requires patience, commitment for service to mankind, the ability to integrate knowledge, keen observation, constant updating of knowledge and human relationship skills.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Medical Practitioners can work in Small and medium scale nursing homes, government and private hospitals, government and private medical colleges, private/ institutional/ government clinics and treatment centers at school and colleges, pharmaceutical firms and the research organisations. USMLE part I and II examinations are required for residency in the US.

MEDICAL PRACTITIONER
After completing the basic degree and internship, doctors get the opportunity for hands on training in each of the major disciplines. Medical practitioner has to work under the direct supervision of senior doctors. Their job entails diagnosis of disease, educating clients for prevention and control of disease, prescribing medicine and treatment. Specialists have to undergo a minimum training of 3 years after the basic degree (MBBS).

DENTAL SURGEONS
Dental surgeons give surgical and medical treatment for dental and oral disorders and diseases. They examine teeth, and mouth of patients, prepare and carry out plan of treatment for restoration of oral health, perform oral surgery, correct deformity by orthodental methods and replace lost teeth by artificial dentures.

EMPLOYMENT AVENUES
Although government hospitals and clinics as well as privately owned multispeciality hospitals and nursing homes are offering lucrative openings even then the number of self employed doctors and dentists is more. Doctors and dentists work for business organization, industries, schools and embassies as consultants. Employment with the Armed Forces or Railway are other options.

TRAINING
The training Period of a doctor is long, difficult, and extensive. Those interested in the medical profession must take a decision at class 10 level and study physics, chemistry and biology at the +2 level. There are medical colleges in every state. Admissions in these colleges are through competitive entrance exams or marks obtained in the qualifying exam. Doctors who graduate as MBBS become general physicians.

BACHELOR OF MEDICINE AND BACHELOR OF SURGERY (MBBS)
The degree of an MBBS is given to a graduate in medical profession. The duration of the course is 4and 1/2 years of classroom study and 1 year of rotating internship that is a total of 5 and ½ years. The classroom study is divided into 3 phases of 18 months each. It is further divided into 3 semester of 6 months each. Last 1 and ½ years i.e. third phase is devoted to monthly clinical work in the wards and departments of the hospital.

POST GRADUATION MD/ MS/ D/ MCH
70% of the MBBS. Graduates go for the post graduate qualification instead of going in for job or practice. A student can decide his field of interests during the internship. He can choose any of the subjects studied during MBBS. After specialization there is choice of further super specialization as Neuro surgeon, Pediatric surgeon, Cardiologist, Nephrologist, Gastroenterologist, Cardiothoracic surgeon, Genito-urinary surgeon, Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon.

BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY (BDS)
Dentistry is a specialised profession. Dental surgeon’s status is equivalent to that of medical practitioner. The duration of BDS Course is 4 years followed by 1 year of residency. The eligibility for taking admission in this course is +2 with physics, chemistry and biology. The 4 years course is divided into 4 parts, each part is of one year duration followed by a year of rotating internship.

MASTER FOR DENTAL SURGERY (MDS)
The duration of post graduate course is 2 years. Specialised fields are –
ORTHDONTICS– It deals with the correction of irregular teeth.
PERIODONTICS – It deals with gums and support to teeth.
MAXILLO-FACIAL SURGERY – It deals with the surgical treatment of the middle face and oral cavity.
PEDODONTICS – This is dental practice for infants and children.
PROSTHODONTICS – Care of prosthetics – Artificial Teeth and dentures.

ABROAD STUDY (for Indian Students)
Students who want to go to any foreign to take admission in MBBS are required to take permission from medical council of India before going. After completing the course all the Indian doctors with foreign medical qualification have to appear for a screening test before they practice in India.

AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
Ayurvedic medicine originated in Vedic times and is based on the curative properties of herbs. Diagnostic procedures are simple using the pulse, blood pressure and physical symptoms. Massages are used for chronic pain alleviation. Ayurvedic doctors specialize in the treatment of diseases and disorders such as diabetes, tuberculosis, nervous or mental disorders, diseases peculiar to men, women and children.

TRAINING
Ayurvedic medicine at the undergraduate level is the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) course. The duration of this course is 5 and ½ years with internship.

POST GRADUATE LEVEL SPECIALIZATION:
Dravyaguna- Phrmacognosy and Pharmacology
Kayachikitsa-Internal Medicine
Ayurveda Siddhanta and Darshan – Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda
Manas Roga and Manovigyana and Psychology
Shalya-Surgery
Vikritivigyan and Roga Nidan Diagnostic methods and pathology
Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana- Pharmacy and pharmaceutics
Prasuti Tantra and Striroga – Obestetrics and Gynaecology
Shalakya-Opthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology
Panchkarma- Internal Purification and massage therapy.

Unani practitioner is known as Hakims. This form of medicine is based on the understanding of the temperament of the patient. Diagnosis is based on traditional pulse reading and pathological indications. The hakim prescribes medicines made from extracts fro birds meat, fruits and ashes of burnt metals.

COURSES
Bachelor of Unani Medicine is offered in almost 25 colleges in India. Usually students from institutions within the state qualify automatically for admission into the Ayurvedic and Unani courses in the institution located in the state.