DM Hepatology: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Eligibility Criteria, Fee Details

DM Hepatology or Doctorate of Medicine in Hepatology also known as DM in Hepatology 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 the study and management of disorders related to the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas.

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 the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research- Chandigarh, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences- New Delhi, SCB Medical College- Cuttack, and more.

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

The fee for pursuing DM (Hepatology) varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognised by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 4,00,000 to Rs. 25,00,000 per year.

What is DM in Hepatology?

Doctorate of Medicine in Hepatology, also known as DM (Hepatology) or DM in (Hepatology) is a three-year super specialty programme that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Hepatology is the branch of medical science dealing with the study and management of disorders related to the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas.

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

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of DMs in Hepatology.

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

The 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 Hepatology 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 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 DM in Hepatology

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for DM in Hepatology are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include:

• Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI Now NMC)/NBE.
• 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 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 DM in Hepatology. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DM in Hepatology 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 respective group, if they are willing to opt for a superspecialty 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 superspecialty subjects covered in said group for which his/ her broad specialty is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DM in Hepatology varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DM in Hepatology is around Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering DM in Hepatology

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing DM in (Hepatology).

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

Syllabus

An DM in Hepatology is a three years specialization course which provides training in the stream of Hepatology.

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

Also Read: NMC Guidelines For Competency-Based Training Programme For DM Hepatology

Course contents:

The student should acquire knowledge in the following areas:

• Development of hepatobiliary system

• Hepatobiliary system: structural, functional and pathophysiological aspects

• Liver in health and disease: metabolic, molecular, functional and structural effects

• Liver failure

• Congenital structural defects

• Metabolic liver diseases

• Acute liver failure

• Chronic liver disease

• Cholestatic liver disease

• Autoimmune liver disease

• Drug induced liver injury

• Acute and Chronic viral hepatitis

• Liver infections

• Vascular diseases of liver

• Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease

• Hepatobiliary tumors

• Hepatobiliary disorders in systemic disease

• Hepatobiliary disorders and other organ- specific manifestations and vice versa.

• Liver and drug metabolism in normal and disease states.

• Immunological liver diseases

• Portal hypertension

• Tropical liver diseases

• Gut-liver, liver-brain and liver-heart axis

• Gall bladder disorders

• Liver transplantation: medical and surgical aspects

• Gut and liver in health and disease.

• Biliary tract and pancreas in various disease states.

• Radiological aspects

• Endoscopic procedures

• Surgical aspects

• Preventive hepatology

Career Options

After completing a DM in Hepatology, 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 (Hepatology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Hepatology), Hepatology Specialist.

Courses After DM in Hepatology Course

DM in Hepatology is a specialisation course which can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing specialisation in DM in Hepatology, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognised by NMC and NBE, where DM in Hepatology is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) –DM in Hepatology Course

Question: What is the full form of DM?

Answer: The full form of DM is a Doctorate of Medicine.

Question: What is a DM in Hepatology?

Answer: DM Hepatology or Doctorate of Medicine in Hepatology also known as DM in Hepatology 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 a DM in Hepatology?

Answer: DM in Hepatology is a super specialty programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a DM in Hepatology?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC)/NBE.

Question: What is the scope of a DM in Hepatology?

Answer: DM in Hepatology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a DM in Hepatology candidate?

Answer: The DM in Hepatology candidate's average salary is between Rs. 4,00,000 to Rs. 25,00,000 per year per year depending on the experience.

Question: Can you teach after completing DM Course?

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

Question: Is a gastroenterologist the same as a hepatologist?

Answer: Hepatology is a subspecialty of Gastroenterology, meaning that often, physicians practice both. Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders.