Doctor – How to become a Doctor
The maintenance of a longer life expectancy and improved social welfare is the responsibility of doctors, who are trained and licensed medical professionals. The majority of patients who recover from life-threatening conditions like cancer, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, etc. owe it to their medical professionals, whose expertise and dedication was crucial to their recovery. India currently has a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:1456 rather than the 1:1000 that the WHO recommends. Being a doctor is not an easy career to pursue because every year almost 15000 students want to be one.
To train to be a doctor After finishing grade 12, aspirant applicants must pursue science before enrolling in the 5-year MBBS programme. An annual medical entrance exam, such as NEET 2023, is used to determine admission to MBBS programmes. After graduating from high school, students who want to become doctors can enroll in any undergraduate or graduate medical programme at one of the leading medical schools in the nation. Doctors must complete a four-year undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, and three to seven years of residency training before they can practice in their chosen specialty. In other words, becoming a licensed doctor requires 10 to 12 years of education.
Eligibility to become Doctor
Anyone who has completed the 10+2 grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as their primary subjects and for institutions with at least 60% marks is eligible to enroll in the MBBS programme.
- To have a successful career, doctors should have specific skills like excellent communication abilities, the capacity to explain complex material, and the ability to show empathy and compassion when working with patients.
- To fulfill the requirements of the job, they need to have patience and good physical stamina
- They must also be capable of being self-motivated, make quick choices in tough circumstances, have strong interpersonal skills, be dependable, and have the desire to assist patients.
How to Become a Doctor After 12th?
Thousands of students every year dream of becoming a doctor and serving the welfare of people. Aspirants study day in and out to make their dreams come true and achieve a fulfilling doctorate career. The rewards and stakes are high as Doctors are revered in the community. In order to give students a sound understanding of the process, here are the steps to learn all about Doctors.
Complete your 12th studies with Flying Colors
The first and foremost step in answering the question of how to become a doctor is to study 10+2 in the science stream. Candidates must compulsorily opt for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology subjects to be eligible for pursuing a Doctor degree. One must aim to score as high as possible in the 10+2 studies and strengthen their fundamentals.
Clear the MBBS Entrance Examination
In order to secure admission in top medical colleges after the 12th and pursue a Doctor career, candidates need to clear the MBBS entrance exam. NEET is the most popular entrance test held pan India for candidates. Most renowned colleges accept NEET scores for admission. Once aspirants pass the entrance test, they are granted a seat at the desired medical colleges. This is a crucial part in becoming a Doctor.
Complete 1-Year Internship
While pursuing studies for an MBBS degree, aspirants have to mandatorily intern for 1 year at a hospital/ organization. During the course of the internship, one gets to not only work under the supervision of senior doctors but also work with patients who require different types of treatments. Students need to demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge and skills to prove that they are ready to become a Doctor.
Register for the Doctor Practice
If one wishes to start their own practice, one needs a certificate from the Indian Medical Register. One has to register for the same. Possessing an MBBS degree is the primary eligibility criterion if candidates wish to pursue a Doctor career.
Roles and Responsibilities of Doctor
Doctors play a vital role in society by providing medical care to individuals and communities. Their responsibilities include:
- Diagnosis: Doctors are responsible for diagnosing, scanning, and identifying diseases, disorders, illnesses, or injuries sustained by patients. This requires expertise and knowledge of medical science, as well as a compassionate and attentive approach to patient care.
- Treatment: Once a diagnosis has been made, doctors prescribe appropriate medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes for patients to promote early recovery. This includes monitoring and adjusting treatment plans as necessary to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
- Assistance to other Medical Professionals: In addition to their general duties, doctors also provide assistance and guidance to other medical professionals, especially in complex cases. With their extensive training and experience, they can offer valuable insights and support to help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
- Surgery: Surgeon Doctors are also trained to perform surgical procedures when necessary. This requires a high level of skill, as well as the ability to reassure and support patients who are often anxious or frightened about the procedure. While surgery is a physically and mentally taxing part of a doctor’s job, it is also one of the most critical and rewarding aspects of their work.
Doctor Career Prospects
A doctor has promising career options in both the public and private sectors. He can advance from being a Junior Doctor in a small clinic to the position of Director of a reputable hospital like PGI and even the rank of Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
Best Colleges for Doctor
Following are the top 15 medical colleges:
- AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), New Delhi
- Grant Medical College, Mumbai
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry
- Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal
- Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bangalore
- Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi
- Madras Medical College, Chennai
- Seth G.S. Medical College, Mumbai
- King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
- Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata
- Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
- Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh
- J. Medical College, Ahmedabad
- Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
- VIT Vellore
Doctor Salary
In the current environment, there are many opportunities for those who choose to pursue a career in medicine. Younger doctors can discover hugely profitable placements with large pay in corporate hospitals in addition to working in private or public hospitals. Depending on the doctor’s skill level, the starting salary can range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. There is a huge amount of money to be made in private practice as well, and it only gets stronger for aspirants as they gain the patients’ trust and positive word-of-mouth recommendations that draw more people to the clinic.
A boom in the healthcare industry has increased the demand for medical professionals in other fields as well. MBBS physicians can find placements in hospitals like Wockhardt Hospitals which promote medical tourism.
Pay Scale/Salary of Doctor
Following are some relative salary figures for different job profiles of a doctor career:
| Job Profile | Starting Salary per annum (in INR) | Mid Level Salary per annum (in INR) | Senior Level Salary per annum (INR) |
| Physician, General Practice | 246,258 | 587,970 | 1,210,529 |
| General Surgeon | 477,322 | 1,166,240 | 3,683,032 |
| Cardiologist | 479,009 | 1,620,000 | 6,543,595 |
| Dermatologist | 488,466 | 1,171,098 | 3,490,488 |
| Obstetrician / Gynecologist | 570,000 | 1,220,838 | 3,300,000 |
Note: The above figures are an estimate and may vary from individual to individual and company to company.