MBBS...What Next...???

The main auditorium of MediCiti institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad was jam packed with students...it was the first day of the much awaited Plexus 2K18 of K14 batch, final year students of MBBS. Students themselves had invited three well known speakers of the twin cities including well known Cardio-thoracic surgeon and HOD at Sunshine Hospital, Hyderabad...Dr Anil Kumar Mulpur to speak on their desired topic Career options after MBBS. I was seated among the audience as a faculty member of the institution. After all the speakers spoke on MBBS & what Next ? and other scheduled topics related to career options after MBBS, there was a panel discussion and audience were requested to share their views. I was the first speaker from the audience and had thunderous applause from the students for what I spoke. Won't you like to know for what the audience responded with thunderous applause.?
This is what I spoke : Life after MBBS could be very challenging and complicated. Because every medical college has only 30-50% of the actual strength of MBBS students as post graduate seats. Now, the big question is what will happen to remaining fifty percent of students who were not selected for post graduation for lack of post graduation seats.
Options for those who didn't obtain post graduation seat is to obtain Diplomate of National Board ( DNB ), but everybody can't pass those exams. Now, the students are also encouraged to go abroad...US or UK after clearing MRCP or USMLE ( US Medical Licensing Exam ) , but is it easy to clear those exams...?? Moreover, it needs lots of money to study abroad ...how many can afford those expenses...??
Other options are to get a government job with your MBBS qualification. But you may be posted to a PHC ( Primary Health Centre ) where your life may not be easy because you won't have basic infra structure at most of those places. My own sister Dr Kamala Reddy had worked as a medical officer at Kanithi, and I know what the life would be. And yes, getting a posting in a metro may not be possible for most of you...you'll be sent from one PHC to another in the state. Yes, you may get the benefit of reservation in PG entrance for your rural service.
If you want a job in a corporate sector or a private hospital after your MBBS, you may be offered pittance as your salary. If you want to do private practice after MBBS, you may have to do few unethical things to get adequate income hence I won't suggest you to do private practice after MBBS.
If you want to run a clinic or a hospital after MBBS, even one case going wrong can land you in legal problems or facing the wrath of the angry relatives.
Hence, you may ask me what do I suggest to do after MBBS...??
Simple, join Indian army as Captains or equivalent in Army Medical Corps and lead a life of respect, happiness, achievement and also with good remunerations. Your getting a post graduate seat may be easier through army and you may retire as a Major General with present possible recommendations.
I told the students that the society usually glorify your total commitment to your profession by repeatedly saying...Chadavraa ...Chadavraa ( which means keep studying, keep studying in Telugu ) but nobody tells you Batakra Batakra...( Live your Life, Live your Life ). In this constant chase of your post graduation and further super specialisation you may forget living your own life and half of your life may be over in chasing those dreams.
Well, Join Indian Army and live a meaningful life of personal satisfaction, career satisfaction, quality life, good health and happiness...Col Pradeep Pendyala,Anaesthesiologist.