Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness like cancer, congestive heart failure, alzheimer's and so on. This type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care physicians are trained to help people manage the physical and social emotional needs.
Personal Competencies
You have a strong desire to help and care for people
You are comfortable in communicating with others
You pay attention to details
You like to analyse problems/situations
Entry Pathway
1. Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree (M.B.B.S.)
OR
Complete a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s degree (M.D.) in Palliative Medicine
OR
Pursue a Diplomate in National Board (D.N.B.) in Palliative Medicine (which is a 3-year onsite supervised training program offered at NBE accredited medical colleges/institutions/hospitals in India)
For admissions, you must clear entrance exams such as NEET conducted by NTA, NEET PG conducted by NBE, NEET MDS conducted by NBE, AIAPGET conducted by NTA and so on
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
Where will you study?
The course is offered by the Department of Palliative Medicine. This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes 1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 2. Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad 3. Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur 4. The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad
Private Institutes (Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC and MCI before applying) 1. Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai 2. Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi 3..Kasturba Medical College, Manipal 4. Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur 5. Adyar Hospital, Chennai 6. Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru 7. Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (BIACH & RI), Hyderabad 8. Indian Association of Palliative Care (Certificate course on Essentials of Palliative Care)
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 5,000 - 12,00,000* for the full course.
*(The above mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from Institute to Institute)
Scholarships & Loans
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes* • Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI* • Scholarships are also made available in institutes based on merit*
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA) • Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc. • All banks give education loans
Where will you work?
Places of Work: In-patient palliative care unit, Hospice (Free standing unit), Community Palliative Care Service (home based palliative care), Outpatient Palliative Care unit, Day Palliative care unit
Work Environment: You are likely to work full time in a healthcare setting like a hospice center or hospital. You may have to travel to patients' homes to provide direct care to terminally ill patients who choose to stay at home. Full-time shifts can be anywhere from 8 to 12 hours long, depending on the setting and the specific duties. You are expected to work with a team of other healthcare professionals.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Expected Growth Path
Intern → Junior Physician, Palliative Care → Physician, Palliative Care → Senior Physician, Palliative Care → Head of the Department → Medical Director/Superintendent
Expected Income
The approx. salary of a Palliative and Hospice Care Specialist ranges between INR 15,000 - 1,00,000* and more per month.
Dr. Pankaj Singhai completed his MD Palliative Medicine training from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and currently working at Sri Aurobindo University, Indore. He is also the national faculty of the Indian Association of Palliative Care and is associated with various training programs.*
Palliative and Hospital Care Specialist
NCS Code: NA | HW0221. Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)
2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree (M.B.B.S.)
OR
Complete a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s degree (M.D.) in Palliative Medicine
OR
Pursue a Diplomate in National Board (D.N.B.) in Palliative Medicine (which is a 3-year onsite supervised training program offered at NBE accredited medical colleges/institutions/hospitals in India)
For admissions, you must clear entrance exams such as NEET conducted by NTA, NEET PG conducted by NBE, NEET MDS conducted by NBE, AIAPGET conducted by NTA and so on
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
The course is offered by the Department of Palliative Medicine.
This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes
1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
2. Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad
3. Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur
4. The Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad
Private Institutes
(Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC and MCI before applying)
1. Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
2. Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi
3..Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
4. Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur
5. Adyar Hospital, Chennai
6. Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru
7. Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (BIACH & RI), Hyderabad
8. Indian Association of Palliative Care (Certificate course on Essentials of Palliative Care)
Information on Institute rankings is available at - https://www.nirfindia.org/2022/Ranking.html
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 5,000 - 12,00,000* for the full course.
*(The above mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from Institute to Institute)
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes*
• Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI*
• Scholarships are also made available in institutes based on merit*
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA)
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans
Places of Work: In-patient palliative care unit, Hospice (Free standing unit), Community Palliative Care Service (home based palliative care), Outpatient Palliative Care unit, Day Palliative care unit
Work Environment: You are likely to work full time in a healthcare setting like a hospice center or hospital. You may have to travel to patients' homes to provide direct care to terminally ill patients who choose to stay at home. Full-time shifts can be anywhere from 8 to 12 hours long, depending on the setting and the specific duties. You are expected to work with a team of other healthcare professionals.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Intern → Junior Physician, Palliative Care → Physician, Palliative Care → Senior Physician, Palliative Care → Head of the Department → Medical Director/Superintendent
The approx. salary of a Palliative and Hospice Care Specialist ranges between INR 15,000 - 1,00,000* and more per month.
Source - https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Skill=Hospice_Care/Salary
*These figures are indicative and subject to change
Experts from the field
Dr. Pankaj Singhai completed his MD Palliative Medicine training from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and currently working at Sri Aurobindo University, Indore. He is also the national faculty of the Indian Association of Palliative Care and is associated with various training programs.*
Source - https://ehospice.com/india_posts/palliative-care-in-sickle-cell-disease
*The above information is for training purposes only and will not be used for any commercial gains
palliative care doctor, palliative medicine, hospice nurse