SMART SKILLS
Head for healthy growth in paramedical services
Usha Albuquerque

TANYA was extremely disappointed when after a 92 per cent in Class XII she was unable to clear the Pre-Medical Test (PMT) for a seat in a medical college. While preparing for yet another attempt at the PMT, Tanya enrolled for a B. Sc in Physiotherapy too. A year later, she is finding her course in Physiotherapy so interesting that she has given up trying for the PMT. As she says: "In three and a half years I will be a medical practitioner, and can start working. Medicine requires so many years of study."

Joining a medical college as an MBBS student is not the only route for entering the medical field. With the increase in medical facilities, polyclinics, diagnostic centres, labs, hospitals and clinics, there is a glaring need for various paramedical experts, technicians, nurses and pharmacists. Moreover, with technology advancing in leaps and bounds, there is an even greater need for trained personnel to operate and utilise new equipment.

Some of the para-medical specialisations include :

Also known as laboratory technologists, they work in pathology or microbiology laboratories where they conduct tests on human blood, tissue, urine, stool etc. to aid the correct diagnosis of a disease. They are also involved in the preparation of vaccines, in labelling and differentiating blood groups, and in taking electrocardiograms (ECGs).

Radiographers work with medically qualified radiologists and take X-ray photographs to assist in diagnosing diseases. They also operate ultrasound and other hi-tech equipment, and treat patients by using radioisotopes.

Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy involves the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with physical impairments and mental disorders. These therapists work along with the patient's doctor in evolving techniques for physically strengthening, and coordinating the muscles, for physically disabled patients, or finding new ways for the patient to be rehabilitated.

They assist the ophthalmic surgeon in the diagnosis and treatment of vision defects and impairments. Optometrists are trained to conduct eye tests for examining vision, and to prescribe glasses and contact lenses. They also fabricate lenses, and operate machines for polishing and adjusting sizes and power of lenses.

These specialists design and manufacture artificial structures, aids and devices which replace missing parts of the body.

Specialists such as these have ample job opportunities in the government as well as the private sector, be it in hospitals, clinics or laboratories. They can also go in for research and development work in institutional laboratories, or with pharmaceutical companies.

Entry into any of the paramedical professions requires strict formal education in the concerned area of work.

Undergraduate diploma and degree courses are now available at a large number of medical colleges and private institutions for students who have cleared the plus two examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology/ Mathematics.

Most institutions have an entrance test, on the basis of which candidates are selected.

Medical Laboratory Technology: The three-year B.Sc programme in this field is available at various medical institutions, and para-medical institutes. There is also a one-year certificate course, and a two-year diploma in laboratory technology for those who have cleared the Class X examination.

Radiography: Professional training in Radiography varies from 18 months to two years. It is also available as a one-year post-graduate course for those who have a bachelor's degree in physics, mathematics or chemistry.

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy: A large number of institutions in the country offer courses in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, which vary from three and a half years for the degree course to two years for the diploma. The training includes the knowledge of basic medical sciences, such as anatomy and physiology, as well as the practical application of the theory on different types of patients.

Ophthalmic technology: Students who wish to study ophthalmic technology need to have cleared plus two with physics, mathematics and biology.

There are also diploma courses of two-three years' duration in prosthetic and orthotic engineering available for those who have completed plus two with science.

However, those who get into this field need to have great patience, a systematic and logical way of thinking, a calm temperament, and good powers of observation They also need to constantly upgrade their skills.

The writer is a noted career expert