Did you know that doctors in UK compulsorily participate in a continuing medical education (CME) programme to keep up with the latest advancements in medicine? Also, that to maintain their licence to practise, UK doctors are reassessed at regular intervals, normally every five years?
Now compare this with the medical situation in India. "According to our antiquated laws, after passing MBBS degree and registration with either a state medical council or Medical Council of India, a doctor can engage in the practice of medicine and surgery forever,'' says Dr Chandra Gulati, Delhi-based editor at the Monthly Index of Medical Specialities.
"Thus,'' adds Gulati, "There are tens of thousands of doctors in India who may have obtained MBBS 40 or 50 years ago, when most medicines, diagnostic tests and therapeutic protocols being employed today did not exist.'' An Indian patient can only hope that his doctor has taken initiative to attend voluntary CME programmes, medical conferences and seminars, or at least read enough to make up for lack of legislation.
Says a Mumbai gynaecologist, "CME is essential because you get to learn not just the theory, but the practical aspect of developments which you can apply. It would be great if it were made compulsory.''
While doctors must re-register themselves every few years (in Maharashtra, for instance, this is done every five years), they need not go in for any re-examination to renew their licence to practice. Dr A R N Setalvad, secretary at Delhi-based Medical Council of India, says: "It is done once in a lifetime. There is no provision for CME programmes or re-registration (in the Medical Council of India Act).'' MCI says it has been sending reminders to the ministry of health and family welfare for many years now to introduce CME.
Dr Suhas Pingle, president at Mumbai's General Practisioners Association, says: "There has been talk of making CME compulsory for, I think, 10 years now. Somehow, this has not seen the light of the day.'' The health ministry's stance on the subject appears lax. Says joint secretary K Raamamoorthy: "As of now, it is not being made compulsory. It is desirable, and we may do it, but only in consultation with professional bodies like Medical Council of India."
--------TIMES OF INDIA
Now compare this with the medical situation in India. "According to our antiquated laws, after passing MBBS degree and registration with either a state medical council or Medical Council of India, a doctor can engage in the practice of medicine and surgery forever,'' says Dr Chandra Gulati, Delhi-based editor at the Monthly Index of Medical Specialities.
"Thus,'' adds Gulati, "There are tens of thousands of doctors in India who may have obtained MBBS 40 or 50 years ago, when most medicines, diagnostic tests and therapeutic protocols being employed today did not exist.'' An Indian patient can only hope that his doctor has taken initiative to attend voluntary CME programmes, medical conferences and seminars, or at least read enough to make up for lack of legislation.
Says a Mumbai gynaecologist, "CME is essential because you get to learn not just the theory, but the practical aspect of developments which you can apply. It would be great if it were made compulsory.''
While doctors must re-register themselves every few years (in Maharashtra, for instance, this is done every five years), they need not go in for any re-examination to renew their licence to practice. Dr A R N Setalvad, secretary at Delhi-based Medical Council of India, says: "It is done once in a lifetime. There is no provision for CME programmes or re-registration (in the Medical Council of India Act).'' MCI says it has been sending reminders to the ministry of health and family welfare for many years now to introduce CME.
Dr Suhas Pingle, president at Mumbai's General Practisioners Association, says: "There has been talk of making CME compulsory for, I think, 10 years now. Somehow, this has not seen the light of the day.'' The health ministry's stance on the subject appears lax. Says joint secretary K Raamamoorthy: "As of now, it is not being made compulsory. It is desirable, and we may do it, but only in consultation with professional bodies like Medical Council of India."
--------TIMES OF INDIA