Who Can Opt for Allied Medical Courses?

Students interested to pursue allied medical courses as a part of their higher education go ahead after completing their 10+2 in the science stream (with a subject combination of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or Biology). Pursuing allied health science courses open door to rewarding job roles wherein they are required to provide curative, rehabilitative, preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and curative services to patients, with help of doctors. They can work in clinics, hospitals, research institutes, etc. Moreover, job roles related to allied science courses are highly satisfying since most of these involve helping patients to recover and restore their physical and psychological well-being.

Allied Medical Courses Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility for allied medical courses varies across different program levels and depends on criteria set by different partner institutes. However, general eligibility criteria for different program levels are as follows:

Eligibility for UG Allied Medical Courses

A bachelor’s degree in allied medical courses is generally a full-time course with a duration of 3-4 years. Students can pursue it after completing their 10+2. Allied health science courses refer to a cluster of courses such as B.Sc in Medical Laboratory Technology, Operation Theatre Technology, Medical Radiation Technology, Emergency Medicine Technology, etc. In general, the UG allied medical courses prepare students to tackle healthcare issues, ensure disease prevention and health promotion and carry out research as well as management in different healthcare systems.

Eligibility for PG Allied Medical Courses

A master’s degree in allied medical courses is generally a full-time course with a duration of 2 years. Students can pursue it after completing their undergraduate degrees. The students opting for master's degrees in allied health science courses gain specific skills that are helpful in dealing with different aspects of healthcare systems and management. Different postgraduate allied medical courses include M.Sc in Medical Microbiology, Clinical Embryology, Medical Anatomy, Medical Genetics and Genomics, etc.

**Note: The eligibility for various courses under the allied medical courses (or related) discipline differs across institutes. Therefore, students should check the eligibility requirements at the time of applying through the ‘Courses’ tab.

Allied Medical Courses

The Study in India partner institutes offer allied medical courses across 3 program levels, namely - Undergraduate, Postgraduate and PhD wherein the students can pick the ones that suit their respective interests.

UG Level

During the 3-4 years long UG allied medical courses students are taught how to perform different types of diagnostic tests prevalent in the medical field such as blood analysis, pathological analysis, radiography, histopathology, pathological analysis, radiography, etc. Moreover, they are trained in how to assist doctors while performing different technology-aided procedures.

PG Level

The 2-years long PG allied medical courses prepare the students to become hands-on so as to work in anatomy laboratories and train them to become assistants to physicians/doctors. Moreover, under this allied health science course, students are taught how to make an extensive records of medical histories, providing recommendations for different tests and patient examinations.

Branches of Allied Medical Courses:

The popular branches of allied medical courses are mentioned in the table below. Most of these allied health course branches are offered by partner institutes and students can pursue any of these courses by applying to Study in India programme.

Allied Medical Courses Subjects and Syllabus

The subjects and syllabus of different allied medical courses depend on the program, branch/ specialisation, picked by students for their UG or PG degree. However, a general overview of subjects/syllabus of allied science courses followed in Indian higher education institutes is as follows:

UG Level:

Core subjects/concepts taught to students opting for B.Sc allied medical courses include:

• Principles of Nursing
• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Microbiology
• Healthcare
• Environment Science and Health
• Pathology

PG Level:

The syllabus of M.Sc allied health science courses depend on the specialisation opted by students. However, concepts like Health Management, Clinical Specialty, Advanced Nursing Practice, Basic Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Basic Microbiology, Public Health Suveillance, etc.

Admission Process for Allied Medical Courses in India

There is always a demand for professionals in the allied medical field and they play an important role in the health care sector. Students interested to become paramedical professionals or want to work in the healthcare system should opt for allied medical courses and the step by step process to apply for the same is as follows:

Most Popular Allied Medical Courses

As per the trend from the past couple of years here are some of the most popular branch choices of the allied medical courses under the Study in India Programme are:

A. Anesthesia Technology

Anaesthesia technology is a branch of allied medical course that is concerned with monitoring and handling anaesthesia in hospitals. The main task of anaesthetics (healthcare professionals who are trained in anaesthesia technology) is to assist doctors during surgeries and administer the right doses of anaesthesia or handle anaesthesia equipment as and when required. Post surgeries, the anaesthetics are also responsible for pain management and intensive care of the patients.

B. Cardiovascular Technology

Cardiovascular Technology is another allied medical course specialisation wherein the students learn to perform peripheral, non-invasive or invasive examinations of the cardiovascular system. It involves the study of treatments related to heart ailments or vascular conditions. Students opting for a course in cardiovascular technology are trained to assist their senior cardiologists or surgeons during pacemaker implantation and open-heart surgeries.

C. Medical Radiology Imaging Technology

The study of medical radiology imaging technology involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases through X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging as well as ultrasounds. The process of medical radiology imaging involves the creation of images of the human body parts for disease diagnosis, physiology or study of anatomy. The field of study is divided into two sections namely,

• Interventional radiology: refers to the diagnosis or treatment of injuries
• Diagnostic radiology: involves minimally invasive processes such as ultrasound, scan, CT, MRI, etc.

D. Medical Laboratory Technology

Medical laboratory technology is a branch of allied medical course that involves diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases with the help of clinical laboratory tests. The health professionals carry out analyses of various body matters like fluid, blood and tissue. Furthermore, chemical analysis, cell count and micro-organism also come under the purview of medical laboratory technology. Students opting for this course are trained how to handle all the lab instruments and conduct research to interpret accurate results (for diagnosis).

E. Nursing

Nurses play an important role in the healthcare sector because in most situations they are the main point of contact of patients and are responsible for providing necessary care too. Students opting for a nursing degree under allied medical courses are taught how to assist medical practitioners in treating patients, ways to give medicines to the patients, bedside manners, how to observe the patient’s response to medications and support them during the recovery period.

F. Operation Theatre Technology

Operation theatre technology is a technical specialisation under the allied health science courses. It refers to healthcare professionals who provide necessary patient care during surgeries and work in unison with anesthesiologists, surgeons or nurses. Their main responsibility is to properly manage operation theatre before and after surgeries. The responsibilities include sterilisation of all the surgical instruments, making sure that the operation table is ready, check the availability of anaesthesia gases and the medicines required during surgeries.

G. Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics

Clinical nutrition and dietetics course has gained popularity in recent years wherein it is concerned with the study of the relationship between nutrition and health. Students opting for this course are taught how to achieve a healthy lifestyle through a proper diet and the therapeutic importance of diet to prevent or treat diseases. Major fields of study included under clinical nutrition and dietetics include community nutrition, food microbiology, food preservations, principles of nutrition, food science, food service management and family meal management.

H. Emergency Medical Technology

Emergency medical technology is concerned with the study of basic emergency skills such as administering oxygen therapy, physical examination, CPR, bleeding control, V-cannulation, assisting in emergency childbirth, automated external defibrillation, management of fracture, etc. Students opting for any emergency medical technology course are trained to address medical emergencies (like the cases of cardiac arrest, accident, etc) in hospitals and over the phone or radio as well.

Popular UG Allied Medical Courses in India

The students opting for UG allied medical courses are trained to use different technology for diagnostic and monitoring (of patients) purposes. Addtionally they are trained to provide needed services in healthcare sector and how to work in unison with health care team/ proffesionals to ensure best pateint care. This course is good for the students who wish to develop strong scientific background in preventive and therapeutic care. Given below are some of the popular branches of UG allied medical courses offered under Study in India Programme.

Popular PG Allied Medical Courses in India

The PG allied medical courses include a variety of concepts such as medical imaging, biomedical science, radiotherapy, primary care, hematology, etc. Students get to learn qualitative research methods, general ultrasound practice, advanced clinical practice requirements, immunohematology etc. After completing this course students can take up professions such as dietitians, MRI technologists, cardiovascular technologists, orthotists, occupational therapists, pharmacy technicians, clinical data coordinator, etc. Some of the popular branches of PG medical and allied courses offered under Study in India programme include:

Career Options

After pursuing a degree in allied medical courses, the students can choose from a wide range of career options and some of them are mentioned in the table below.

Allied Medical: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are allied medical courses?

Allied Medical is the field that deals with all types of diagnostic techniques, disease transmission, rehabilitation that is important for the treatment of a patient. The professionals working in this field are health professionals who apply their expertise to prevent disease transmission, diagnose, treat and prevent disease transmission.

2. The eligibility of allied medical courses?

The eligibility criteria for pursuing allied medical courses differs across various Indian institutes. For undergraduate courses, it is 10+2 and for pursuing a postgraduate degree, it is a bachelor's degree (in the allied medical field). However, you are advised to check the specific eligibility criteria for different allied health science courses at the time of applying.

3. What is the duration of allied medical courses?

The duration of popular allied medical courses depends on different program levels. For undergraduate courses, it is 3-4 years and for post-graduate courses, it is 2 years.

4. Are there any branches of allied medical courses?

Yes, there are many branches of allied medical courses and some of them are:

• Accident and Trauma Care Technology
• Anesthesia Technology
• Nursing
• Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Respiratory Therapy
• Health Information Management
• Medical Radiology Imaging Technology
• Dialysis Therapy Technology, etc

5. Top 10 career options after pursuing allied medical courses?

Top career options after pursuing allied health medical courses are:

• Nurse
• Nutritionist
• Radiologist
• Anesthesiologist
• Physiotherapist
• Ultrasound Technician
• Radiologist
• Clinical Data Coordinator
• Analytical Chemist
• Laboratory Technologist

6. What is physiotherapy and who are physiotherapists?

Physiotherapy is defined as a treatment for restoring and maintaining the mobility, functionality as well as the well-being of patients. It helps patients during physical rehabilitation, injury prevention and fitness. Physiotherapists are medical professionals who are trained in treating injuries or conditions that impact the movement and functionality of the human body.

7. Are allied health medical courses beneficial?

Yes, allied health medical courses are beneficial as the scope for students after pursuing them is vast. Moreover, the demand for allied medical professionals has surged as the demand for preventive and curative care continues to increase around the globe.

8. Are paramedical and allied medical courses the same?

No, they are not the same. Allied medical courses is a discipline that involves the study of disease diagnosis, transmission, treatment and rehabilitation of patients. Whereas, paramedical is the field that primarily deals with pre-hospital emergency services and the professionals working in this field are referred to as a paramedic.

9. The duration for allied medical undergraduate courses is three years or four years?

The duration for allied health medical undergraduate courses may differ across institutes ( ranging from three-four years). You are advised to confirm the same at the time of applying.

10. Can I pursue allied health medical courses after completing 10+2 in the commerce stream?

No, in order to pursue allied medical courses you must have completed 10+2 in the Science stream.

11. What can I do after BSc Nursing?

After pursuing a four-year Nursing degree students can further pursue studies in masters or can apply for jobs as nurses in the healthcare sector.

12. Who is a Medical Laboratory Technician?

Medical Laboratory Technicians are professionals responsible for performing clinical laboratory tests using analytical instruments to provide data that proves helpful in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of various diseases.

13. What are the career opportunities for a Medical Laboratory Technician?

Most of the Medical Laboratory Technicians work in the laboratory of hospitals. They also work at clinics, doctor's offices, blood banks or research laboratories.

14. What is taught under BSc Cardiovascular Technology?

Students opting for BSc Cardiovascular Technology are taught the following topics:

• Details about vascular or the circulatory system.
• Arteries, veins and blood vessels carrying blood throughout the human body.
• Cardiovascular diseases that affect the human body.
• This course also covers details about procedures or tests performed by physicians to treat a patient ailing from heart disease.

15. What is Nutrition and Dietetics course all about?

Nutrition and Dietetics course is an integrated program wherein students are trained to apply nutritional science to promote a healthy lifestyle and to treat medical conditions as well.