DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND DIPLOMATE OF NATIONAL BOARD COURSES IN INDIA–ISSUES AND EQUIVALENCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Authors

  • ANUSUYA BHATTACHARYYA Department of Ophthalmology, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, Assam, India.
  • PHULEN SARMA Deparment of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
  • HARISH KUMAR Deparment of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
  • BIKASH MEDHI Deparment of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
  • KASTURI BHATTACHARJEE Department of Ophthalmology, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, Assam, India.
  • HARSHA BHATTACHARJEE Department of Ophthalmology, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, Assam, India.
  • SUBODH KUMAR Deparment of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
  • SIRIS KR BHATTACHARYYA Department of English, Sivasagar Girls’ college, Sivasagar, Assam, India.
  • DILIP VAISHNAV Department of Forensic Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijms.2020.v8i1.36186

Keywords:

Diplomate of National Board, Doctor of Medicine, Equivalence

Abstract

India is the only country in the world running two different doctoral courses for doctors, i.e., Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Diplomate of National Board (DNB). DNB course was introduced in 1975 to overcome shortage of specialist doctors and medical teachers. Both courses have centralized entry examination, similar tenure period, academic and clinical activities, and research exposure and exit examination (in the host institute in MD examination and in designated exit exam centre in institute other than poarent institute in case of DNB examination). Initially, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Council of India (MCI) established the equivalence between two. Discrimination started since October 2012 through MCI gazette notification for DNB trainees from non-MCI recognized institutes with regards to teacher appointment. DNB doctors were united to raise their voice against this. While the Government of India (GOI) is in favor of equivalence between two, MCI is against the same. Recently, MCI is dissolved and is going to be replaced by the National Medical Commission and positive outcome is expected for the DNB side. A recent notification is issued toward equivalence of two courses provided candidate completed DNB course from hospitals with minimum 500 beds. Evaluating quality of education on the basis of number of beds seems unjustifiable as there are many better indicators of quality of medical education. The NMC act also retained the same 500 bed criteria. Taking into account the view point of benefit of population and improvement in medical education in India, it is desirable to reconsider the issue by the Government of India (GOI) and to act accordingly. To enhance the standard of current medical education, higher standards should be imposed in curriculum and centralized exit examination to be made compulsory for both the courses.

Author Biographies

ANUSUYA BHATTACHARYYA, Department of Ophthalmology, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, Assam, India.

Scientist, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India

HARISH KUMAR, Deparment of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Professor, Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India

BIKASH MEDHI, Deparment of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

PhD, Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India

KASTURI BHATTACHARJEE, Department of Ophthalmology, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, Assam, India.

HOD, Oculoplastics, Aesthetics and Reconstructive Surgery

Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, Assam, India

Past Vice President, Asia Pacific Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 
Past General Secretary, Oculoplastics Association of India

HARSHA BHATTACHARJEE, Department of Ophthalmology, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, Assam, India.

Medical director& trustee

Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati, Assam, India

SUBODH KUMAR, Deparment of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

PhD, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India

SIRIS KR BHATTACHARYYA, Department of English, Sivasagar Girls’ college, Sivasagar, Assam, India.

Ex professor & HOD, Dept of English

Sivasagar Girls College, Sivasagar, Assam, INDIA

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Published

01-01-2020

How to Cite

ANUSUYA BHATTACHARYYA, SARMA, P., KUMAR, H., MEDHI, B., BHATTACHARJEE, K., BHATTACHARJEE, H., KUMAR, S., BHATTACHARYYA, S. K., & DILIP VAISHNAV. (2020). DOCTOR OF MEDICINE AND DIPLOMATE OF NATIONAL BOARD COURSES IN INDIA–ISSUES AND EQUIVALENCE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS. Innovare Journal of Medical Sciences, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijms.2020.v8i1.36186

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