An endocrinologist is a medical practitioner specialized in diagnoses and treatment of malfunctioning endocrine system and their gland - thyroid, pituitary, adrenals, ovaries, and testes to name a few - that produced and release hormones into the human bloodstream.
Production and secretion of a controlled quantity of hormones by endocrine glands help the body to coordinate various kinds of processes like metabolism and cell growth. If some or any of these endocrine glands start malfunctioning then the production and secretion of hormones in the body is disturbed leading to many chronic diseases like thyroid diseases, diabetes, infertility, hypertension, cholesterol disorders, osteoporosis and even cancers in the endocrine glands that require lifelong care thereby necessitating the need of an expert Endocrinologist.
Endocrinologist, besides restoring the balance and treatment, help the patients cope with the physical limitations from diseases like diabetes and hypothyroidism.
Fast life, sedentary living conditions, intake of polluted and malnutrition food, stressful working conditions, the absence of exercise from the routine life and general careless attitude towards health has largely been responsible for unprecedented hike in the diseases and disorders related to endocrine glands like high blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid to name a few. More alarming is that the condition is bound to get worse in the times to come creating a huge demand for physicians specializing in the field of Endocrinology in the coming future.
Being one of the complex areas of medicine it requires sincere hard work, right kind of aptitude and thorough knowledge of the human body, especially the endocrine system. They should also be well qualified and have the knowledge of all the latest prevailing disorder and their symptoms.
So to become a well trained and qualified Endocrinologist the aspiring candidates should be very intelligent, hardworking and have the patience to study and treat their patients with utmost responsibility for full lifespan as these diseases are chronic and require attention for the whole life.
Endocrinologist Eligibility
The minimum qualification to become an Endocrinologist in India is a 5½ years MBBS degree followed by 2 years MD (Endocrinology) Course.
Endocrinologist Required Skills
- Endocrinologists should be able to interpret and understand laboratory tests, x-rays and other associated procedures.
- They should have a sound knowledge of organ imaging investigations, hormone implants and fine needle aspiration and their application to endocrinology.
- They also possess knowledge in clinical endocrinology and metabolism, including diabetes.
- They should also have a detailed understanding of the principles of endocrine physiology, biochemistry and cellular and hormonal metabolism.
How to become an Endocrinologist?
Candidates interested in making their career in Endocrinology have to follow the below-given steps.
Step 1
Medical Students who have appeared or are going to appear in +2 exams (with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as main subjects) have to appear in an Medical Entrance Tests conducted by the various state and Independent bodies like PMT, taken by Punjab Government and CBSE-PMT (Pre Medical Test) taken by the Central board to admit candidates in various medical institutions affiliated with it providing MBBS degree course.
For taking admission in Top Medical Colleges like AIIMS, GMCH, AFMC Pune etc. the students have to take Entrance Exams Conducted by respective institutes separately.
Step 2
After doing MBBS degree course and one year and six months compulsory training the aspiring candidates have to get admission in M.D (Endocrinology) – Master’s degree in Endocrinology – must requirement to work as an Endocrinologist.
Aspiring MBBS doctors have to appear in Post Graduate Medical Entrance Tests like-
- All India Post Graduate Medical/Dental Entrance Exam
- Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam
However, some institutes also provide admission on the basis of marks obtained in MBBS course and work experience of the aspiring candidates.
Step 3
After completion of 2 years of DM (Endocrinology) course and getting the requisite registration from Medical Council of India the budding Endocrinology can get jobs in reputed Government and Private Hospitals like AIIMS etc. An endocrinologist can also open their own Clinic and provide services to the patients.
Endocrinologist Job Description
An Endocrinologist job includes looking for signs of new symptoms of hormonal imperfection, malfunction of various glands like thyroid, pituitary, thymus, Para thymus and gonads etc, maintaining patient's diet plan and checking the metabolism level. Providing correct medicine and performing surgeries as and when required for maintaining the proper functioning of endocrine glands is also one of the most important functions of an Endocrinologist.
Endocrinologist Career Prospects
Career Opportunities for Endocrinologists are quite good in near future and that’s really great news for those budding youngsters who are planning to move in this field of medicine. As more and more people are getting caught with problems related to an endocrine system like thyroid diseases, diabetes, infertility, hypertension, cholesterol disorders, osteoporosis and cancers in the endocrine glands, greater demand is created for professional medical practitioner specialized in the field of Endocrinology creating more job opportunities for young Endocrinologists.
Owning to ever-increasing demand Endocrinologist can find the job in Government and Corporate hospitals as well as can start their own practice after getting some experience working in some big hospitals
Endocrinologist Salary
An endocrinologist can expect to get an average salary of nearly Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 per month in a government-run hospital and nearly Rs.80,000 per month in the corporate sector hospital. However, there is great variation in the salary of Endocrinologist as it largely depends upon the level of experience and the way in which and where these Endocrinologist practices.
