Doctor of Medicine (MD) Physiology: Admission, Fees, Medical Colleges, Eligibility Criteria details here

MD Physiology or Doctor of Medicine in Physiology also known as MD in Physiology 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 3 years, and it focuses on the study of various concepts related to the functions of the human body, treatment, and management of various diseases.

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 Guntur Medical College (Guntur), Kurnool Medical College (Kurnool), Narayana Medical College (Nellore), Assam Medial College (Dibrugarh), 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 an MD (Physiology) varies from college to college. The average course fee is Rs. 10000 to Rs. 25 Lakh per annum.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or pursue a super-specialization course where MD Physiology is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs as Senior residents, Junior Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 3 Lakh – Rs. 16 Lakh per annum.

What is MD in Physiology?

Doctor of Medicine in Physiology, also known as M.D. (Physiology) is a three-year postgraduate programme that candidates can pursue after completing MBBS.

Physiology is the branch of medical science dealing with how the human body works.

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

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of MDs in Physiology.

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 Physiology would help the specialist recognize the community's health needs. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their specialty.

The candidate should be a highly competent doctor possessing a broad range of skills that will enable her/him to practice Physiology independently. The PG candidate should also acquire the basic skills in teaching 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 MD in Physiology:

Eligibility Criteria

• The eligibility criteria for MD in Physiology are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet to be eligible for admission, which includes:
• Candidates must have 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 MD in Physiology . Candidates can view the complete admission process for MD in Physiology mentioned below:

• The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Post Graduate 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 counseling towards PG seat allotment conducted by the concerned counseling authority shall be instead of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.

• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for MD/MS seats through NEET- PG:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi, and other AIIMS

2. PGIMER, Chandigarh

3. JIPMER, Puducherry

4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

Fees Structure

The fee structure for MD in Physiology varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for MD in Physiology is Rs. 10000 to Rs. 25 Lakh per annum.

Colleges offering MD in Physiology

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing an MD (Physiology).

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

Stipend MD Physiology

Syllabus

An MD in Physiology is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Physiology.

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

Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme For MD Physiology

Course contents:

Paper-I: General and Cellular Physiology including Genetic Basis and Historical perspectives:

1. Physiology of cell, various cellular mechanisms and genetic control mechanisms.

2. Various principles of Physics and Physical Chemistry involved in physiological phenomenon e.g. haemo-dynamics, bio-electrical potentials, body fluids, methods of measurements.

3. History of Physiology.

4. Biostatistics, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Micro-anatomy.

5. Growth and Development including aging.

6. Excretion, pH, water and Electrolyte balance.

Paper-II: Systemic Physiology (system providing transport, nutrition and energy) including comparative Physiology.

1. Blood and Immunity.

2. Cardiovascular System.

3. Respiratory System.

4. Gastro- Intestinal Tract (GIT) and dietary requirements.

Paper-III: Systemic Physiology (system concerned with procreation, regulation and neural control)

1. Nerve-Muscle Physiology including muscle mechanics

2. Endocrine Physiology

3. Nervous System (Central, peripheral and autonomic)

4. Special Senses

5. Reproduction & family planning/foetal & neonatal Physiology

Paper-IV: Applied Physiology including recent advances

1. Patho-physiology pertaining to systemic Physiology

2. Physiological basis of various clinical investigation tests

3. Interaction of human body in ambient environment- high altitude, space and deep sea

4. Sports physiology

5. Yoga and Meditation

6. Recent advances relevant to Physiology

7. Social responsibilities of physiologists

Departmental resources

It is to be mandatory for the department to establish and develop the following laboratories. In addition to teaching, these laboratories should be involved in active research and in patient care services in one or more well defined fields.

1. Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory

The department should generate liaison with clinical department and provide routine services for health monitoring and diagnostics (disease).

(i) Electroencephalography

(ii) Evoked potential recording

(iii) Electromyography

(iv) Nerve conduction studies

(v) Autonomic nervous system (ANS) testing

(vi) Any other newer technology

2. Cardio-Respiratory Laboratory

The department should generate liaison with clinical department and provide routine services for health monitoring and diagnostics (disease).

(i) Electrocardiography

(ii) Blood-gas Analysis

(iii) Computerized multifunctional spirometery

(iv) Laboratory for measuring pulmonary diffusion capacity and functional residual capacity (FRC)

(v) Whole-body plethysmography

(vi) Laboratory for Blood flow measurements (Impedence plethysmograph/Laser flow meter/ Doppler flow meter)

3. Exercise Physiology Laboratory

The department should generate liaison with ports authorities and clinical departments to provide services for testing and grading exercise and physical efficiency for health monitoring and diagnostics (disease). This should be done by using the following techniques:

(i) Two step test exerciser

(ii) Bicycle Ergometery

(iii) Tread mill

(iv) Respiratory gas analysis and measurement of basal metabolic rate (BMR)

4. Metabolic/Endocrinology/Reproductive Bio-medicine laboratory

This laboratory should perform various tests pertaining to gastrointestinal, renal, metabolic, endocrinal and reproductive bio-medicine. The department should generate liaison with clinical departments and provide routine services for health monitoring and diagnostics (disease).

(i) Spectrophotometer

(ii) pH meter

(iii) Elisa Reader/Washer

(iv) Luminometer

(v) Semi-autoanalyser

Postgraduate students should be posted in the above laboratories and extend the required services on a routine basis.

The Department should be equipped with general facilities like a PG resource room with internet access and a departmental library with books especially those related to pertinent higher studies in Physiology and field of research. The college/department should make important journals available (at least four Indian journals and two international journals).

Career Options

After completing an MD in Physiology, 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 (Physiology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Physiology), Consultant Physiology Specialist, etc.

Courses After MD in Physiology Course

MD in Physiology is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing a specialization in MD (Physiology), a candidate could also pursue super specialization courses recognized by NMC, MD (Physiology) is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) – MD in Physiology Course

Question: What is an MD in Physiology?

Answer: MD Physiology or also known as MD in Physiology 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 an MD in Physiology?

Answer: MD in Physiology is a postgraduate programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of an MD in Physiology?

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 an MD in Physiology?

Answer: MD in Physiology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for an MD in Physiology postgraduate candidate?

Answer: The MD in Physiology candidate's average salary is Rs. 3 Lakh – Rs. 16 Lakh per annum

Question: What is the scope after MD physiology?

Answer: There are a lot of career options after MD in Physiology. They can work as Professor, Demonstrator, Anatomy Trainer, Physiology Trainer, Pathologist, Lab Technician, Clinical Analyst, Trainee Medical Coder, Physiotherapist, Regulatory Affairs Manager, etc. Thus, the scope of MD Physiology courses rises in demand.

Question: Can a physiologist work in a hospital?

Answer: Physiologists in medicine often work in hospitals, long-term care, sports medicine offices, or doctor's offices. These professionals provide important insight into how the human body works and how to help it work most efficiently.