PG Diploma in Anaesthesiology: Admission, Medical Colleges, Fee, Eligibility criteria, syllabus details here

Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Anaesthesiology also known as Diploma in Anaesthesiology (DA) is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS. The duration of this postgraduate course is 2 years, and it focuses on the study of various concepts related to the field of Anaesthesia such as General Anaesthesia, Sedation, and Regional Anaesthesia.

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 S V Medical College, Tirupati, Darbhanga Medical College, Lehriasarai, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, and more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET PG 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 Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology (DA) varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 50,000 to Rs 1,50,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue higher degree courses like master's degrees and research degree courses recognized by NMC, where Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology (DA) is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Junior Consultants, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 18,00,000 per anum.

What is Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology?

Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Anaesthesiology also known as Diploma in Anaesthesiology (DA) is a two-year postgraduate programme that candidates can pursue after completing MBBS.

Anaesthesiology is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of anesthesia and related matters, including resuscitation and pain.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology (DA).

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 Anaesthesiology 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 speciality.

The candidate should be a highly competent Anaesthesiologist possessing a broad range of skills that will enable her/him to practice anaesthesiology independently. The PG candidate should also acquire the basic skills in teaching of medical/para-medical students.

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 the Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology:

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• Candidates should have done a compulsory rotating internship of one year in a teaching institution or other institution which is recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.

• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the MBBS Degree courses and compulsory rotatory Internship 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 Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology. Candidates can view the complete admission process for Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology mentioned below:

• The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post Graduates is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma Courses.
• The requirement of eligibility criteria for participation in counselling towards PG seat allotment conducted by the concerned counselling authority shall be in lieu of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology is around Rs. 50,000 to Rs 1,50,000 per year.

Colleges offering Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing Post Graduate Diploma (Anesthesia).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering Post Graduate Diploma (Anesthesia) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

A Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology is a two years specialization course which provides training in the stream of anesthesia.

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

The course contents of 1st year should cover the following:

1. Anatomy related to:

• Diaphragm, upper and lower airway

• Regional anaesthesia, field block, central neuraxial, blockade, block for acute pain states

• Intramuscular injections, arterial and venous cannulations and positioning.

2. Physics related to:

• Anaesthesia machine - assembly of necessary items.

• Airway equipment including laryngoscopes, airway devices

• Breathing systems

• Monitoring in anaesthesia with concepts of minimum monitoring

• Gas laws, medical gas supply system

• Fluidics

• Electricity and diathermy

• Oxygen therapy

3. Physiology related to:

• Theories of anaesthesia

• Respiratory, cardiovascular, hepatobiliary, renal and endocrine system, pregnancy, blood, muscle and N-M junction, Nerve impulse transmission, ECG, regulation of temperature and metabolism, stress response, cerebral blood flow and ICP.

• Central, autonomic and peripheral nervous systems.

• Metabolic response to stress and trauma.

4. Pharmacology related to

• General principles, concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

• Drug interactions in anaesthesiology, anaphylactoid reactions

• Drugs used for premedication, induction of anaesthesia, general anaesthetics-intra- venous and inhalational, neuromuscular block and reversal of muscle relaxants.

5. Biochemistry relevant to fluid balance and blood transfusion, perioperative fluid therapy, acid base homeostasis in health and diseases.

6. Theoretical background of the commonly used anaesthetic techniques of general and regional anaesthesia, general principles of pre-anesthetic assessment and medication, recovery from anaesthesia and post operative care, effects of positioning during anaesthesia.

7. Introduction to the operation theatre, post-anaesthesia care rooms

8. Introduction to acute, chronic pain and pain management.

9. Documentation and medico-legal aspects of anaesthesia.

10. Defensive anaesthesia.

11. Concept of informed consent.

12. Resuscitation - basic and advanced life support (cardiac and trauma life support), neonatal resuscitation.

13. Intensive care of critical patients with introduction to artificial ventilation, management of unconscious patients, oxygen therapy, shock - pathophysiology and management.

14. Introduction to Research methodology, basics of biostatistics.

The course content of 2nd year should cover the following:

Anatomy related to blocks for chronic pain, chemical neurolysis and different organ systems.

1. Physics related to:

• equipments used in anaesthesia monitors, ventilators, vaporizers, fibroptics

• Laser

• Pacemaker and defibrillator

• Monitoring equipment used for assessment of cardiac functions, temperature, respiratory functions, blood gases, intracranial pressure, depth of anaesthesia and neuromuscular block.

• Sterilization of equipment

• Computers in anaesthesia

2. Pharmacology of drugs used in cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, renal diseases and CNS disorders.

3. Interpretation of blood gases and other relevant biochemical values, various function tests and basics of measurement techniques, ECG.

4. Blood coagulation mechanism, disturbances, blood components.

5. Special anaesthetic techniques as relevant to:

• Outpatient anaesthesia, hypotensive anaesthesia, anaesthesia in abnormal environments including rural area and calamitous situations

• Associated medical disorders in surgical patients

6. Geriatric and pediatric anaesthesia

7. Emergency, ENT, orthopedic, ophthalmology, obstetrics, dental, radio-diagnosis and radiotherapy.

8. Medical statistics relevant to data collection, analysis, record keeping in anaesthesia, comparison and estimation of significance.

9. Care of terminally ill, Hospices management. Do not resuscitate orders.

10. Postures and anaesthesia.

11. Induced hypothermia, incidental, environmental safety of patient.

12. Malignant hyperthermia, myasthenia gravis, GB syndrome and other neuromuscular diseases, obesity, COPD, Diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma and hypertensive crises..

13. Third world anaesthesia.

14. Inherited metabolic diseases and anaesthesia.

15. Anaesthesia for patients with severe cardiac, respiratory, renal and hepatobiliary disorder posted for unrelated surgery

16. Shock, types, pathogenesis and management of patients in shock, renal failure, critically ill and/or on ventilator, Multiple organ failure, Infection control, cross contamination in OT and ICU.

17. Selection, maintenance and sterilization of anaesthesia and related equipment

18. Chronic pain therapy and therapeutic nerve blocks.

19. Acupuncture, acupressure and other non-conventional methods of treatment.

20. Principles of neonatal resuscitation, ventilation and critical care.

21. Principles of human resources and material management.

22. General principles of medical audit. Critical incident reporting

23. Ethics and clinical trial.

24. Hospital, ICU and OT design and planning.

25. Medical education including evidence based medical education

Career Options

After completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology, 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 (Anaesthesiology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Anaesthesiology), Critical Care Specialist, Consultant Anesthesia Specialist etc.

Courses After Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology Course

Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology is a specialisation course which can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing a specialisation in Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology, a candidate could also pursue higher degree courses like master's degree and research degree courses recognised by NMC, where Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology is a feeder qualification.

Candidates possessing post graduate diploma qualifications can also appear in the DNB PDCET examination conducted by the National Board of Examinations for admission to Post Diploma DNB Broad specialty Courses.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) – PG Diploma in Anaesthesiology

Question: What is a Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology?

Answer: Post-Graduate Diploma (PG Diploma) in Anaesthesiology also known as Diploma in Anaesthesiology (DA) is a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their MBBS.

Question: What is the duration of a Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology?

Answer: Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology is a postgraduate programme of two years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India.

Question: What is the scope of a Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology?

Answer: Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology postgraduate candidate?

Answer: The Post Graduate Diploma in Anaesthesiology candidate's average salary is between Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 18,00,000 per anum depending on the experience.

Question: Can I do diploma in anesthesia after BDS?

Answer: No, you can't become an anesthesiologist after BDS without a MBBS degree. Anesthesiology is a speciality in Medicine not in Dentistry.