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| Monday, May 23, 2005
Stay on a healthy course
This summer, there might be a number ofreaders of The Hindu Education Plus, who might have secured marks, that just may not fetch them a seat in medical or dental college. But don't fret. There are many equally good career options to choose from within the medical field. As paramedical specialists, one can make a mark in one's chosen area of specialisation. Courses in nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy are gaining increasing importance with the growth of patient management techniques and disease management therapies.
In Tamil Nadu, the TNPCEE marks determine the student's eligibility to join paramedical courses, recognised by the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University. The students who take up these courses may either opt for postgraduation and research or may enter the profession after a bachelor's degree.
Nursing
Nursing is one of the most popular courses chosen by girl students. The competition for this four-year B. Sc programme is getting tougher. The employment prospects are getting better with the medical establishment in private and public sector looking to increase the patient - nurses ratio from the present 1:10 to 1:5. And this trend is not limited to India alone, there is great scope overseas also.
The cut-off marks for the government nursing colleges was akin and sometimes even tougher than the scores needed to get into the veterinary course last year. This is because the profession is highly paying outside India. There is a high demand for qualified nurses in the United States and the Gulf countries as also in southeast Asia. Today, nurses trained in specialities such as cardiac, neuro-surgical, paediatric and post-operative nursing, are much in demand.
Pharmacy
"This industry is growing rapidly and its worth will grow by three times by 2010. It will require increased manpower," says B. Suresh, principal of J.S.S. College of Pharmacy in Udhagamandalam. A pharmacy degree has excellent overseas opportunities too, he says. Pharmacists are in demand in the Gulf countries, the U. S., the U. K. and Canada. A student with a bachelor's degree (4 years)in pharmacy can start with a pay of Rs. 8,000-Rs. 12,000 a month, while with master's they can earn Rs. 15,000-Rs. 18,000. "We encourage students to go for postgraduation," Dr. Suresh says. The college also offers a course in biotechnology. Students may opt for research. Students must have at least 50 per cent aggregate score in physics, chemistry and biology in Plus-Two examinations.
Some of the most popular colleges are in Udhagamandalam, Coimbatore, Chennai and Madurai. SRM College near Chennai also offers courses in pharmacy. The Periyar College of Pharmacy in Tiruchi is only for women.
J.S.S. College is accredited as Grade A in the State and has a postgraduate research institute, says Dr. Suresh. The institute with a tie-up with the TNAUniversity, offers a six-month certificate course in medicinal plants. Any science graduate may take up this course.
Physiotherapy
Students opting for physiotherapy learn the basics during the undergraduate years and can specialise at the master's programme. The two government institutes of rehabilitation medicine in the State offer a four-year bachelor's level course with six-month internship.
The K.K. Nagar-based Government Institute of Rehabilitation
Medicine offers a two-year diploma in prosthetics and orthotics.
Students undergo six months' internship and learn to manufacture
artificial limbs and medical appliances. Private colleges such
as CMC and SRMC offer a four-year course in occupational therapy.
Students must undergo six months internship. While there is
plenty of scope for the government-run courses in the country,
specialised courses such as occupational therapy are valued
abroad. Self-financing colleges affiliated to Dr. M.G.R. Medical
University follow the university's norms in admitting students,
with 50 per cent reservation for the management.
Courtesy: The Hindu
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