merely by passing higher examinations or obtaining appropriate diplomas; but this ia not the case. Specialization comes only after long practice and after working under, or watching the work of, specialists in those subjects or subdivisions, such as plastic, neurological, thoracic, endoscopic surgery, etc. I am afraid that in this respect India is very poor, although she has a fine body of general physicians and general surgeons.
People desirous of specializing in such branches of
surgery, for some time to come, will have to,, or should, visit clinics abroad to obtain the necessary experience, and on their return should coach future aspirants to
such specialities. As long as merely passing examinations and obtaining foreign qualifications are considered the criteria of one's knowledge or skill, no progress can be made. One may ask whether the desire for foreign diplomas should be regulated or unregulated. What other alternative can we offer in the country ? Are we to introduce diplomas other than the university .degrees ? What value should be attributed to such diplomas as compared with university degrees, and by whom should they be granted, and should they be entered in the Medical Register ? Should they be given by the Indian Medical Council, in whom is vested the control of medical education in India, by the university or the medical profession ? A young graduate needs sound advice on the subject of post-graduate study and specialization, and this should only be given by people who are qualified to do so by their own long and personal experience. This will save time, energy and money. Post-graduate education may be defined as any systematic educational activity that help the graduate to keep abreast of the current knowledge and new developments in his own fields. Nearly all the Indian universities provide advanced training in the medical field and the different universities confer degrees such as M.D. or M.S. upon successful candidates. The training and regulation of specialists differs in different countries. It is most advanced in the Scandinavian countries, unregulated in France, whilst in Germany the State has left the control of specialization to the medical profession itself. In the United Kingdom the recognition of specialists has been confined almost entirely to the higher qualifications and diplomas of the Royal Colleges and the higher degrees and diplomas of the universities. The basic requirements of all the specialities should be :? (i) The candidate should be a medical graduate of at least 5 years standing. (it) He should have held a resident hospital appointment for at least one year in an approved
Correspondence INDIAN DEGREES FOR INDIAN GRADUATES
Sir,?I have read with great interest Colonel McRobert's article on the above subject in the Indian Medical Gazette of April 1944, pp. 174-177. It is true that a large number of Indian students go to Europe, especially Great Britain, to obtain higher qualifications for their commercial -value in India, particularly because the employers have favoured
foreign qualifications. It is also equally true to say that foreign degrees have higher value in the eyes of the public, and it gives them the impression that the holder has acquired knowledge, skill and sound judgment in his profession. It is a mistaken notion, and unfortunately quite a ?large number of people labour under the impression that specialization in general and in the subdivisions of medicine or surgery in particular can be obtained
hospital. (Hi) He should have at least two years' training in post-graduate study and practical work. (iv) He should pass the higher examination of his university or obtain the recognized higher diploma. ?The present system of imparting education needs some overhauling, particularly in the selection of teachers. Professional appointments should not be made on a part-time basis; they should not be given to people engaged in private practice. It is unfair both to the student and the practitioner. The appointments
should be full-time ones. The teachers should be well trained and made responsible for the work in their speciality; and they may be allowed selective consulting practice in the hospital only. Every school or college recognized for post-graduate work should possess well-equipped laboratory, library and museum facilities. The school or college should be attached to a teaching hospital with a daily average of 200 or more in-patients and an out-patient clinic with an average of 100 or more patients each day. A proportionate reduction will naturally be applicable to institutions
teaching
one
speciality.
SERVICE NOTES
Sept., 1944]
If the future post-graduate medical education, system in India can be modelled on these lines and if the teaching institutions prove worthy of their name and reputation, I am sure the craving for foreign degrees and diplomas will automatically disappear. I do not wish to leave an impression that I am ?opposed to medical practitioners going to other countries. They should certainly do so, not with the sole intention of getting a diploma or a degree but rather with the object of enriching their knowledge by the experience of others and establishing contacts with their colleagues abroad. B. K. SHEOREY, m.b., f.r.c.s.
Late New ll?/i
Delhi, 1944.
May,
(Eng.)
b.s.
(Bom.),
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, I.M.S., E. M. S. Metropolitan Hospital, London, etc.
Surgeon,
.
453
People desirous of specializing in such branches of
surgery, for some time to come, will have to,, or should, visit clinics abroad to obtain the necessary experience, and on their return should coach future aspirants to
such specialities. As long as merely passing examinations and obtaining foreign qualifications are considered the criteria of one's knowledge or skill, no progress can be made. One may ask whether the desire for foreign diplomas should be regulated or unregulated. What other alternative can we offer in the country ? Are we to introduce diplomas other than the university .degrees ? What value should be attributed to such diplomas as compared with university degrees, and by whom should they be granted, and should they be entered in the Medical Register ? Should they be given by the Indian Medical Council, in whom is vested the control of medical education in India, by the university or the medical profession ? A young graduate needs sound advice on the subject of post-graduate study and specialization, and this should only be given by people who are qualified to do so by their own long and personal experience. This will save time, energy and money. Post-graduate education may be defined as any systematic educational activity that help the graduate to keep abreast of the current knowledge and new developments in his own fields. Nearly all the Indian universities provide advanced training in the medical field and the different universities confer degrees such as M.D. or M.S. upon successful candidates. The training and regulation of specialists differs in different countries. It is most advanced in the Scandinavian countries, unregulated in France, whilst in Germany the State has left the control of specialization to the medical profession itself. In the United Kingdom the recognition of specialists has been confined almost entirely to the higher qualifications and diplomas of the Royal Colleges and the higher degrees and diplomas of the universities. The basic requirements of all the specialities should be :? (i) The candidate should be a medical graduate of at least 5 years standing. (it) He should have held a resident hospital appointment for at least one year in an approved
Correspondence INDIAN DEGREES FOR INDIAN GRADUATES
Sir,?I have read with great interest Colonel McRobert's article on the above subject in the Indian Medical Gazette of April 1944, pp. 174-177. It is true that a large number of Indian students go to Europe, especially Great Britain, to obtain higher qualifications for their commercial -value in India, particularly because the employers have favoured
foreign qualifications. It is also equally true to say that foreign degrees have higher value in the eyes of the public, and it gives them the impression that the holder has acquired knowledge, skill and sound judgment in his profession. It is a mistaken notion, and unfortunately quite a ?large number of people labour under the impression that specialization in general and in the subdivisions of medicine or surgery in particular can be obtained
hospital. (Hi) He should have at least two years' training in post-graduate study and practical work. (iv) He should pass the higher examination of his university or obtain the recognized higher diploma. ?The present system of imparting education needs some overhauling, particularly in the selection of teachers. Professional appointments should not be made on a part-time basis; they should not be given to people engaged in private practice. It is unfair both to the student and the practitioner. The appointments
should be full-time ones. The teachers should be well trained and made responsible for the work in their speciality; and they may be allowed selective consulting practice in the hospital only. Every school or college recognized for post-graduate work should possess well-equipped laboratory, library and museum facilities. The school or college should be attached to a teaching hospital with a daily average of 200 or more in-patients and an out-patient clinic with an average of 100 or more patients each day. A proportionate reduction will naturally be applicable to institutions
teaching
one
speciality.
SERVICE NOTES
Sept., 1944]
If the future post-graduate medical education, system in India can be modelled on these lines and if the teaching institutions prove worthy of their name and reputation, I am sure the craving for foreign degrees and diplomas will automatically disappear. I do not wish to leave an impression that I am ?opposed to medical practitioners going to other countries. They should certainly do so, not with the sole intention of getting a diploma or a degree but rather with the object of enriching their knowledge by the experience of others and establishing contacts with their colleagues abroad. B. K. SHEOREY, m.b., f.r.c.s.
Late New ll?/i
Delhi, 1944.
May,
(Eng.)
b.s.
(Bom.),
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL, I.M.S., E. M. S. Metropolitan Hospital, London, etc.
Surgeon,
.
453
