Minimum qualifications required to perform Echocardiography in India: MCI To take a call

Published On 2019-07-15 05:53 GMT | Update On 2022-12-08 10:26 GMT

New Delhi: The apex medical regulator, Medical Council of India Board of Governors (MCI BOG) are soon going to take a call on the matter of the minimum qualifications required to perform the diagnostic test Echocardiography in India.

Echocardiography is a type of ultrasound of the heart, where an ultrasound machine and its small probe are used to diagnose and monitor certain heart conditions by checking the structure of the heart and surrounding blood vessels, analysing how blood flows through them and assessing the pumping chambers of the heart. Traditionally a cardiologist's domain, in India, its commonly performed by DM/DNB Cardiology, those having the qualification of Post Graduate Degree in Clinical Cardiology (PGDCC), MD(Medicine) doctors having experience on the modality.

However, there are no clear cut guidelines till date as to the minimum qualifications that are required to perform the diagnostic test. The matter of the minimum qualifications recently became a matter of debate after Kolkata based BM Birla Heart Research Centre (BMBHRC) was directed by the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission to pay Rs 20 lakh compensation to the family of a patient who died during treatment after concluding that two employees including one doctor at BM Birla Heart Research Centre in Alipore were not qualified to conduct and report echocardiography.

The Commission noted that the doctor who held a PGDCC from IGNOU, which was not recognised by the council-which implied his basic qualification of MBBS was only valid and not his specialist qualification of PGDCC. The commission based on this held the doctor and the hospital deficient in service noting

the employment of the doctor as consultant in charge, NI department and engaging him for conducting non-invasive procedure and echocardiogram and to give study report interpreting the data available from such a procedure and on the basis decide the course of the treatment is not only detrimental to patient care service but also completely unauthorised and illegal. The practice on the part of the Clinical establishment, BM Birla comes within the ambit of deficiency in patient care service and amounts to irrational and unethical trade practice.

Read Also: MBBS with IGNOU PGDCC performing Echo: Hospital fined Rs 20 lakh

The matter soon reached the Calcutta High court, with the court asking for the MCI stand on the matter. The issue was then brought up in the recent meeting of the MCI Board of Governors, where the BOG decided to take the opinion of Dr Balram Bhargava, a member BOG as well as one of the eminent cardiologist in the country, before the opinion is sent to the Council Advocate for submission before the High Court of Kolkata.

Read AlsO :Can MBBS do Ultrasound- Supreme court reserves its interim order

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Meghna A Singhania is the founder and Editor-in-Chief at Medical Dialogues. An Economics graduate from Delhi University and a post graduate from London School of Economics and Political Science, her key research interest lies in health economics, and policy making in health and medical sector in the country. She is a member of the Association of Healthcare Journalists. She can be contacted at meghna@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751

Comments Policy

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .