Respiratory Medicine: Overview, Eligibility and scope

Overview:

Respiratory medicine is a medical specialty that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory diseases. In India, respiratory medicine is also known as pulmonology.

Eligibility:

To become a respiratory medicine specialist in India, one must complete a medical degree (MBBS) followed by a postgraduate degree (MD/DNB) in respiratory medicine. After completing the postgraduate degree, one can also pursue a super specialty course (DM) in Pulmonary Medicine.

Scope:

The scope of respiratory medicine in India is quite vast as respiratory diseases are prevalent in India due to pollution, smoking, and other environmental factors. Respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and tuberculosis are commonly encountered in India, and respiratory medicine specialists play a crucial role in their diagnosis and treatment.

Respiratory medicine specialists work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and they may also be involved in research and teaching activities. They work closely with other specialists such as allergists, radiologists, and thoracic surgeons to provide comprehensive care to their patients.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the demand for respiratory medicine specialists in India due to the rising incidence of respiratory diseases. Therefore, the scope of respiratory medicine in India is expected to grow in the coming years.