Opportunities for young Anaesthesiologists in India

Dr. Ritesh Borkar

MBBS,MD,FTEE
                             Consultant Cardiac Anaesthesiologist, Viveka Hospitals, Nagpur

Anaesthesiology is a branch, which is rarely taken as a choice. But it has a lot of scope apart from the laryngoscope and Ambuscope.

A. Academics
B. Professional.
C. Staring own setup(Hospital, Nursing home,Pain Clinic and General Physician Practice)

Academics means you join a medical College as an Assistant Professor or Senior Resident. Medical College can be a Government or Private. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages.

One of the advantage of entering this arm is that you have a fix income and there are very high chances of you doing freelance anaesthesia practice simultaneously.

This is a good idea, as you get to learn at the college along with teaching and get the real experience of free lance practice.

With time you may choose what suits you the best or continue with both.

Another advantage is you can do your research work and studies and get publications to your credit, which enhance your CV.

Academics also includes joining super speciality courses.

Fellowships : Cardiac, Neuro, Intensive care, Critical Care, Paediatric, Obstetrics,Onco, Geriatric,Pain Medicine.

DNB(2 years residency after DA)
DM courses : Cardiac, Neuro, Intensive care, Critical Care, Paediatric, Obstetrics, Onco, Geriatric, Pain Medicine.

The 2nd arm that is FREE LANCING practice is really challenging for the new comers. You have to visit hospitals and surgeons frequently to get your first call. During initial days you may not get a call and may lead to stress. Trust hospitals can be a better option to start with.

It is always better to join the local ISA branch and attend local CMEs and Workshops to get acquainted with the Senior and Fellow Anaesthesiologists and there are chances that you may get a lead for free Lancing as well as joining Institute/ Hospital.

This can be further divided into

1. Complete Free lancing
2. Institution based
Complete Free Lancing, is going to hospitals and institutions for Anaesthesia services.

Institution based can be :

a) Anaesthesia services OT.

b) ICU services.

c) Post operative care.

d) Post cardiac surgery care.

e) Cathlab services

f) Monitored Anaesthesia Care in MRI-CT Scan suites.

As one can see there is lot of scope and after having a Degree or Diploma in Anaesthesiology, one can be reasonably busy.

One has to fix his/her goals and choose wisely.

There is considerable overlap amongst all the above categories.

Many New hospitals are coming every year both in Government and private sectors.

Many AIIMS have come up throughout the country. The State Governments are trying to build one Medical College in each district. In recent years many New Govt. Medical Colleges have emerged and many are under process.

Many Rural hospitals were upgraded to Sub District hospitals and operation theatre is functional in most such hospitals.

Not only Government, many Corporate and private hospitals are coming up. Nearly all of them have operation theatres. In Nagpur city, around 10-15 new setups emerged in last 5-10 years. Many New setups in private sector are under construction and are expected to be functional in next few years.

One of the main advantage of settling in India is that you don’t need a passport and Visa. Moreover the whole world is experiencing a time of uncertainties.

The Governments in many countries have collapsed and were taken over by radical groups. Eg. Afganistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh.

The wars are totally unpredictable, Russia- Ukraine war, started in February 2022 is still going on. Israel- Palestine war erupted and spread to neighbouring countries and even Iran is involved.

The rise of new regime in USA lead to deportation of many Asians including Indians.

During such times India appears to be a much better and safer place to settle, though you may not earn Dollars,Pounds,Euros,etc.

There is no need of emergency evacuation and airlift, isn’t that an ultimate advantage?