Medical education: fading attraction?
R. SUJATHA
|
A course in engineering looks more attractive than a medical seat because of hurdles that doctors face in pursuing higher studies or working abroad.
|
Photo: K. Pichumani
Aiming for the best: Once a student joins a medical college, he may not drop out. But this year, many eligible candidates are opting for engineering.
Is medical education losing out to engineering education? If one goes by the results of the first phase of counselling for engineering admissions, it would not be too amiss to think so.
Though, more students had the opportunity to appear for professional counselling this year, thanks to the scrapping of the common entrance test, a record number of students — 102 as on Friday — have given up prime medical seats in favour o
f engineering courses.
The reason, educationists say, revolves mainly around three issues: fewer opportunities for postgraduation in medicine, the tightening of work permits for Indian doctors in many countries, especially the U.K., and the lack of comprehensive placement facilities for young graduating doctors. An irony, as Chennai is touted to be the medical hub of the country, with world-class healthcare facilities.
A medical graduate must work for at least 10 years after graduation for a successful career. An engineering graduate can get on the information technology bandwagon as soon as he/she graduates where the money is good and comes quick.
Travelling abroad is easier for those entering the IT industry or trying for engineering courses whereas visa restrictions are more stringent for doctors.
Engineering colleges ensure jobs through campus placements even before students finish their fourth year whereas a medical student must find his own way.
Setting up a clinic in a rural area is difficult financially. While engineering graduates find avenues such as MBA and M.S. easily, postgraduate seats in medical courses are limited.
G. Deepak, who scored 1,175 marks out of 1,200 in class XII this year, opted out of medicine though he got a seat in Stanley Medical College, one of the oldest medical colleges in the State. “I am not interested in medicine. I was not sure whether I would be admitted in top engineering college so I had applied for medicine also,” he said.
His cut-off mark for a medical seat was 198.25, while for engineering, it was 198.75. This student from Pollachi has been offered an ECE seat in PSG Technology and says he wants to do MBA or M.S. in top institutions after the basic degree.
Says K. Prakasam, president of Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, “Doctors are in demand but lack of government support has added to the disinterest. For an engineering student, skills are enough to get jobs. A medical college principal gets only Rs. 35,000 but even a beginner in an IT company will get Rs. 40,000.”
Students opt out of medicine fearing the risks involved. “Medical profession has not lost its glory. At a time when quacks are rampant in rural areas, the Government should support young graduating doctors and help them set up clinics in rural areas,” he says.
The Medical Council of India has a different yardstick for private and government medical colleges. It is imperative for government colleges to have permanent faculty whereas in private colleges most teachers are visiting faculty.
A student from PSG Technology could expect an annual salary of Rs. 4-6 lakh but a graduate doctor can expect only Rs. 10,000 a month if he were to choose to work in a government hospital, says Dr. Prakasam.
T.K. Parthasarathy, pro-chancellor and emeritus professor of surgery, Sri Ramachandra University, attributes it to motivation. “Students who come to a medical college come with a lot of motivation. They
must want to serve, do a lot of work and read several years before they can see money.”
Yet 30-40 new medical colleges have come up across the country. “The profession has not lost its ability to attract students. Medicine is here to stay and still carries on the value,” he says.
There is no need for campus placement as students seek to specialise and do not mind spending to go abroad to learn skills. A doctor can practise even when he is 70 unlike a company-based engineer. “The cream of the student prefers engineering, as within five or six years, they are assured of a handsome salary. Doctors, on the other hand, need a longer time to establish themselves professionally. Once a student joins a medical course, there are very few dropouts,” Dr. Parthasarathy adds.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Education Plus
Karnataka
Chennai
Coimbatore
Hyderabad
Madurai
Tiruchirapalli
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
