MD or MS: What After MBBS?

The medical profession is considered to be one of the best professions not only in India but also all around the world and unsurprisingly, the most sought-after profession. Majority of the students consider choosing the medical field as a potential career option once they complete their schooling.

MBBS is an undergraduate degree in the field of medicine. Every student who wishes to be a doctor pursues an MBBS degree after school. Most students are confused between MD or MS after MBBS.

To pursue an MBBS degree, a student will have to appear for NEET, which is the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).

NEET is an all India level medical entrance exam conducted to grant admission to the students to various undergraduate medical courses across numerous medical colleges in India. MBBS, Bachelor of Degree and Bachelor of Surgery, is a professional undergraduate degree in the medical field.

If you wish to work as a medical practitioner, you must hold an MBBS degree. The degree is awarded after four years and two months of study, including a one-year internship.

The syllabus of MBBS course includes Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Forensic Medicine and Technology, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Surgery and many others. The syllabus is designed in such a way to allow the graduates to further choose between studying medicine or studying surgery. 

After completing the MBBS course, the student can either opt to practice or can choose to study further and complete post-graduation. Most of the medical graduates are in a dilemma while choosing the appropriate postgraduate course for themselves.

Students can either choose to go for MD or MS. While MD is the postgraduate course for Doctor in Medicine and MS is the Master of Surgery.

Which is the Most Sorted Choice: MD or MS?

Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Surgery (MS) are two completely different fields where doctors perform divergent roles. An MD mainly gives medicines to patients. In the case where he feels the need for surgery, he recommends his patient to an MS.

One common thing in both fields is the entrance exam. NEET is a pan India level medical exam for an undergraduate degree while NEET-PG is an all India level medical exam for pursuing a postgraduate degree in the field of medicine. To pursue either MD or MS, the candidate must qualify NEET- PG.

Both MD and MS require a specific set of skills. Communication skills, emotional skills, problem-solving skills, and decision-making skills should be possessed by the MD and MS.

I’m adding to this, a surgeon must be able to use his hands skillfully, he should have an eye for details, there should be good coordination between his hands and eyes, he should show his teamwork and leadership qualities while performing a surgery, he should also be able to work under immense pressure for long hours without losing his emotional and mental calm.

Most importantly, the surgeon should be strong at heart. Not everybody has the guts to perform surgery.

The syllabus for MD and MS is also entirely different. MD course syllabus includes Anesthesiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Community Medicine, Dermatology and Venereology, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Laboratory Medicine, Medicine, Microbiology, Physiology, Pharmacology and others.

Master’s in surgery course includes Orthopedics, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and Surgery. One can also choose between MS and MD based on his interest in the given subjects.

In India, there is a high demand for doctors, whether a physician or a surgeon. However, it is a common notion that a surgeon earns more than an MD. This can be true to an extent.

A well-known surgeon may charge a huge amount of money for a single surgery, but this does not mean that an MD earns less. Each doctor has hundreds of patients lined up in a single day leading to a more than average income.

Both MD and MS have its value. To pursue either of the degrees, you need to appear for a NEET- PG. Choosing whether to master’s in medicine or master’s in surgery after completing the MBBS degree should be purely based on the interest of the doctor. You can select MD or MS after MBBS.

Doctor in Medicine and master’s in surgery are both promising careers. However, while going for MS, one should always remember that it requires more skill and perfection to perform the surgery successfully.