MCh Hand Surgery: Admissions, medical colleges, fees, eligibility criteria details

MCh Hand Surgery or Master of Chirurgiae in Hand Surgery also known as MCh in Hand Surgery is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course. The duration of this super specialty course is 3 years, and it focuses on both surgical and non-surgical treatment and management of conditions and problems that may take place in the hand or upper extremity including injury and infection.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include Kasturba medical college, Manipal, Karnataka, Stanley medical college, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, CMC Vellore, and Tamil Nadu.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET-SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing MCh (Hand Surgery) varies from college to college and may range from Rs.2,07,000 to Rs 29,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programs recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs 12 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs per annum.

What is MCh in Hand Surgery?

Master of Chirurgiae in Hand Surgery, also known as MCh (Hand Surgery) or MCh in (Hand Surgery) is a three-year super specialty program that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Hand Surgery is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of both surgical and non-surgical treatment of conditions and problems that may take place in the hand or upper extremity including injury and infection.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for MCh in Hand Surgery.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of MCh in Hand Surgery.

The postgraduate students must gain ample of knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, and treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.

PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Hand Surgery would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their specialty.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops, and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of MCh in Hand Surgery

The eligibility criteria for MCh in Hand Surgery are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which includes:

Note:

• The prior entry qualifications shall be strictly in accordance with Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, and its amendments notified by the NMC and any clarification issued from NMC in this regard.
• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration with any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.
• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the Postgraduate Degree courses shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to MCh in Hand Surgery. Candidates can view the complete admission process for MCh in Hand Surgery mentioned below:

• The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super specialty courses is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Courses.
• Qualifying Criteria-Candidates placed at the 50th percentile or above shall be declared as qualified in the NEET-SS in their respective specialty.
• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for DM/MCh courses through NEET-SS:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi, and other AIIMS

2. PGIMER, Chandigarh

3. JIPMER, Puducherry

4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

• Candidates from all eligible feeder specialty subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of the respective group if they are willing to opt for a super specialty course in any of the super specialty courses covered in that group.
• A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate specialty qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.
• By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counseling only for those super specialty subjects covered in the said group for which his/ her broad specialty is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for MCh in Hand Surgery varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for MCh in Hand Surgery may range from Rs.2,07,000 to Rs.29,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering MCh in Hand Surgery

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing MCh in (Hand Surgery).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering MCh in (Hand Surgery) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

An MCh in Hand Surgery is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Hand Surgery.

The course content for MCh in Hand Surgery is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

SUBJECT-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

By the end of the course, the student should have acquired competencies that come under knowledge (cognitive domain), professionalism (affective domain), and skills (psychomotor domain) as per the details given below:

A. Cognitive domain (theoretical knowledge):

The postgraduate student should acquire knowledge in the areas of the hand and upper extremity problems, by the end of the training program:

• Describe the structure and function of the upper extremity and hand

• Describe the microbiological basis of infections of the hand

• Describe the pathological basis for diseases with a particular focus on traumatic and non-traumatic conditions of the upper extremity and hand

• Demonstrate an understanding of fluid and electrolyte balance

• Acquire knowledge regarding the preservation of amputation parts and prepare the same for reimplantation when indicated

• Prescribe the appropriate medication (antibiotic/anti-inflammatory/analgesic) and counsel the patient on its effects and side effects as related hand disorders

• Counsel the patient and relatives on the nature of hand injury/disease and its possible outcome of treatment and take an informed consent

• Theoretical knowledge to diagnose and manage acute hand surgical problems of a patient including trauma in any situation.

• Have a basic understanding of Trauma Systems, Trauma Scores, GC scale, and mangled extremity severity scores.

• Acquire knowledge of hematological and coagulation disorders

• Have an understanding of biostatistics and Research Methodology

• Understand the Ethical and legal aspects of managing hand disorders

• Demonstrate the ability to order and interpret the appropriate investigation; radiological and laboratory for the management of hand disorders

• Demonstrate the ability to manage patients with bone and soft tissue infections of the hand and upper extremities.

• Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and manage soft tissue injuries of the upper extremity and hand

• Demonstrate the ability to diagnose, classify and manage patients with bony injuries of the upper extremity and hand

• Demonstrate the ability to provide regional and local anesthesia to the hand and fingers

• Demonstrate the ability to identify the deformities resulting from Rheumatoid and other autoimmune disorders and carryout management

• Identify the functions of the hand and disabilities caused by various disorders including neurovascular imbalance

• Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and manage congenital and developmental disorders of the hand

• Demonstrate skills in basic life support

• Demonstrate the ability to appropriately seek help from other specialties including Rehabilitation, orthotics, prosthetics, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy

• Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and manage upper limb compartment syndrome

• Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and manage tumorous conditions of hand and upper extremities.

The affective domain (Attitudes including Communication and Professionalism)

B. Affective Domain:

The postgraduate student:

1. should be able to function as a part of a team, develop an attitude of cooperation with colleagues, and interact with the patient and the clinician or other colleagues to provide the best possible diagnosis or opinion.

2. should always adopt ethical principles and maintain proper etiquette in dealings with patients, relatives, and other health personnel and respect the rights of the patient including the right to information and second opinion.

3. should develop communication skills to word reports and professional opinions as well as to interact with patients, relatives, peers, and paramedical staff, and for effective teaching.

4. should attend at least one course of one-week duration dedicated to communication skills being conducted either in the same institution or by a recognized institution.

5. should effectively communicate to the patient and her relatives the nature of the disease, the extent of the disease, the treatment options available, and the expected outcome following management of the disease.

6. should be able to execute the planned treatment with the help of other colleagues in the specialty of Hand Surgery.

7. should maintain the highest degree of professionalism in executing treatment of the disease and communication to the patient and relatives.

8. should acquire compassion for the patient and relatives.

SUBJECT-SPECIFIC PRACTICE-BASED OR PRACTICAL COMPETENCIES

(Psychomotor domain)

The trainee in M.Ch. in Hand Surgery course is expected to acquire the following procedural and non-procedural skills in the management of Hand Surgery and perform these independently/under supervision, as is relevant:

• Perform clinical examination of the hand, wrist, and upper limb relevant to damage, disease, and disability of the hand.

• Provide Primary Care for hand injuries – washing, dressing, splinting and preparation for surgeries.

• Demonstrate providing local and regional anesthesia on a mannequin / real patient.

• Assemble the appropriate instruments/equipment for a given procedure.

• Perform the following:

1. Venous access

2. Splinting of hand and upper extremity fractures

3. Application of plaster cast

4. Fasciotomy

5. Drainage of abscess in the finger and hand

6. Debridement of crushed wounds and mangled extremity wounds

7. Internal and external fixation / k wires / Plates

8. Soft tissue coverage with skin grafts/flaps

9. Open reduction and internal fixation of bone injuries of the small bones of the hand, carpus, and upper extremity

10. Closed treatment of fractures and dislocation of upper extremity fractures and fixation by approximate internal fixation like interlocking nailing / k wires/Rush rods

11. External skeletal stabilization of musculoskeletal injuries

12. Tendon transfer and myofascial flaps

13. Tendon repairs

14. Microvascular reconstruction of amputated parts

15. Arthrodesis of small joints of hand and wrist

16. Vascular repairs and reconstruction

17. Neural repairs and reconstruction

18. Deformity correction by soft tissue procedures

19. Deformity correction by bony procedures

20. Amputation of the upper extremity at various levels

21. Tumour excision and bone grafts/bone transport

22. Joint replacement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder

23. Excision arthroplasty of small joints of the hand, elbow

24. Arthroscopic diagnosis and therapeutics of the shoulder, elbow wrist, and small joints

25. Regional anesthesia

Career Options

After completing an MCh in Hand Surgery, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor etc.

While in the Private sector, the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Hand Surgeon), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Hand Surgeon), Assistant Professor, Associate Professor (Hand Surgery).

Courses After MCh in Hand Surgery Course

MCh in Hand Surgery is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing a specialization in MCh in Hand Surgery, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programs recognized by NMC and NBE, where MCh in Hand Surgery is a feeder qualification.

These include:

• Fellowship in Hand Surgery and Microsurgery

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) –MCh in Hand Surgery Course

· Question: What is the full form of an MCh?

Answer: The full form of an MCh is Master of Chirurgiae.

· Question: What is an MCh in Hand Surgery?

Answer: MCh Hand Surgery or Master of Chirurgiae in Hand Surgery also known as MCh in Hand Surgery is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

· Question: What is the duration of an MCh in Hand Surgery?

Answer: MCh in Hand Surgery is a super specialty program of three years.

· Question: What is the eligibility of an MCh in Hand Surgery?

Answer: The Candidates must have a postgraduate medical Degree in MS/DNB Orthopaedics or MS/DNB General Surgery obtained from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (Now NMC)/NBE, this feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the NBE website.

• Question: What is the scope of an MCh in Hand Surgery?

Answer: MCh in Hand Surgery offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

• Question: What is the average salary for an MCh in Hand Surgery candidate?

Answer: The MCh in Hand Surgery candidate's average salary is between Rs. 12 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs per annum depending on the experience. Question: Can you teach after completing an MCh Course?

•Question: Can you teach after completing an MCh Course?

Answer: Yes, the candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing an MCh course.