AI-PMT Applicants Over The Years (appx. data)
Will it kill the Industry?
Even with increase in population and growth in students taking up higher education, the medical industry is seeing lack of interest. The number of MBBS aspirants are seriously declining and situation will soon be alarming. And guess what, better paid engineers are to be blamed for this! Quick overview on what media has been saying.
It takes 10 years to complete the medical course while engineering students graduate in four years and get lucrative jobs as well. -Source
Each student after toiling for 10 years has to then invest to setup his or her own clinic. These practical aspects are pushing the fixation with medical careers down. – Source
The lack of interest among students for medicine assumes significance in view of the acute shortage of doctors in the country… It may be due to better pay package and benefits in engineering – The Hindu
It is to be noted that compared to the JEE, the number of candidates for the CBSE’s pre-medical test (PMT), which was held on last Sunday witnessed a steep decline in the number of candidates. – Source
The CBSE has noted a drop in the number of candidates taking up biology in Class 12 in 2008 and the trend has started worrying experts and the medical fraternity. – DNA
When you find better substitute, only the brand dies but when you find an alternative, the industry dies.
[Naman is a startup enthusiast and has worked with couple of Indian startups as Product Manager. He writes at The Inspire Blog]
Bang on! Result of this – few years down the line there will be crunch in number of experienced doctors in market. As a result cost of Medical Services will extremely higher.
I dont think this will be a major cause of concern in a country like India. It doesnt matter if the number goes down from 2.3 lakhs to 1.4 if the number of seats are 15000.
Yes the quality of docs will suffer – again there is no way to prove that. And assuming the teaching schools do a good job then this doesnt apply either.
I believe this is one such example where the mere numbers dont really mean anything
PP
I think reservation is also a big under-player in medical field. It is estimated that 76% reservation applies in state medical colleges.
Bang on target. The summary says it all. When you find an alternative, the industry dies. After spending hell lots of money and 10 precious years of your career, you won’t get a suitable job that easily. it will take another 10 year or so to establish yourself as a good doctor and run your own nursing home.
But if you go for engg, probably it will cost less, and within 4-5 ears you could a good job and start establishing yourself. Of course there are other factors like social respect etc, but who cares:)
The problem will be when the medical seats start going empty. We are still far away from that situation.
This is a very similar situation where engineering students are opting for software and I-banking jobs after studying chemical engineering in college. Unless the market forces make jobs lucrative in these sectors, such issues are bound to occur.