Mysuru: In most of the medical colleges across the state, the students have shunned non-clinical post graduate courses as they are not as lucrative as their clinical counterparts.
According to experts, since last three years, the response or demand for non-clinical courses which include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology is coming down and this year it has gone down even further. It is also the same at the century old Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute and JSS Medical College. The students are showing least interest towards non-clinical PG courses being offered by various medical colleges across the state including Mysuru Medical College Research and Institute and JSS Medical College. Most of the seats are still vacant at many medical colleges.
According to experts, in the recent years, students are not finding these non-clinical courses very lucrative. Few years ago, due to the emergence of new medical colleges in few districts, the passed students were getting appointed but at present, the MBBS pass outs prefer to take up clinical courses or be active physicians.
Dr. Nanjaraj, Director and Dean of Mysuru Medical College Research and Institute said, “The number of students taking up non-clinical PG courses has drastically come down. Among 25 non-clinical PG courses in Mysuru Medical College and Research and Institute, just nine have been filled and there are no takers for many subjects. There are a total of 25 seats for non-clinical courses but this year, just 12 students have taken up the three courses which includes three for Community Medicine, seven for Pathology and two for Pharmacology. Apart from this, not even a single student has applied for Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Micro Biology and Forensic Medicine. Only clinical subjects are in great demand. Those pursuing clinical subjects will get into some hospitals including corporate hospitals but those who pursue non-clinical course need to depend on medical colleges where there are no vacancies.” Another reason for students to desert non-clinical courses is increase of seats in clinical courses.
Suresh, Vice Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, said, “Due to lack of job opportunities, the demand for non-clinical courses has come down for the last three years. After completing these non clinical courses they should mainly depend on academic institutions. Though the number of medical institutions has increased, once the teaching faculties are recruited, for another 20 years, there will be no opportunities. From the past three years, apart from Pathology and Community Medicine, about 60 to 70 percent of non-clinical subjects are not in demand. For Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology, there are no takers”.
