Career in Nephrology in India: Medical Science is a broad field with numerous sub-disciplines based on the human body parts and the associated diseases. Nephrology is one of the most vibrant and stimulating disciplines among them. Having your kidneys malfunction is even more likely than having your liver malfunction, primarily due to the chronic health conditions that develop at the same time. Kidney disease can develop due to many health issues like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. It can also cause high blood pressure and heart disease to develop, even if you didn’t have these conditions before.
The rise in tobacco and drug consumption has led to a significant increase in patients experiencing kidney-related issues. Nephrology, a specialized medical discipline, focuses on the study and treatment of kidneys, kidney problems, kidney transplantation, and hypertension. This article offers an in-depth exploration of Nephrology, highlighting various career prospects within the field.
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Quick Fact
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Semester |
| Eligibility | MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) |
| Admission Process | Entrance-based selection |
| Average Fees | 15K-60L |
| Skills Required | Critical thinking skills, Compassion, Patience, Scientific Skills |
| Job Profile | Paediatric, Nephrologist, Surgeon, Dialysis |
| Recruiting Sectors | Research centres, Dialysis centres, Colleges |
What is Nephrology?
Nephrology originates from the Greek words “nephron,” meaning kidney, and “logy,” signifying the study of. Thus, Nephrology is a specialized field focused on the study of kidneys and kidney-related issues. Initially, it was recognized as a medical discipline concerned with understanding normal kidney functions and addressing associated problems.
Later, with the advances in technology, the field of Nephrology expanded to artificial organs and dialysis that can help function as a normal kidney. Professionals trained in Nephrology are known as Nephrologists and can treat diseases related to the kidney and other diseases like End-Stage Renal Disease resulting from partial treatment with dialysis.
Who are Nephrology Specialists?
A nephrologist is a physician who studies and deals with nephrology. Nephrology is the adult and paediatric study of the kidneys and their diseases. The nephrologist deals with the diagnosis and management of kidney disease. The kidneys maintain the body’s normal fluid and electrolyte balance.
They also treat associated issues like high blood pressure, fluid retention, and electrolyte and mineral imbalances. In addition, these specialists are in charge of kidney dialysis treatment (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis), kidney transplants, and follow-up care.
Nephrologists are experts in renal health and work to identify issues with your kidneys to help you maintain good health. Your kidneys are important because they filter your blood to remove waste and toxins and monitor and balance the body’s water, acid-base, and mineral ratios.
Courses for Nephrology
The following is the course for nephrology:
| Course Name | Duration |
|---|---|
| Doctorate of Medicine (MD) in Nephrology | 3 years |
| Diplomate of the National Board(D.N.B.) in Nephrology | 3 years |
How to get admission to a Nephrology Course?
The following is the admission procedure for MD in Nephrology:
- Candidates having an MBBS degree can apply for an MD in Nephrology course with a minimum of 60% marks.
- Candidates have to appear in NEET PG for admission to the course.
Eligibility Criteria
Given below are the eligibility criteria to get admission to a Nephrology Course:
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | The maximum age limit is 35 years. |
| Qualification | MBBS degree with MD in General Medicine |
| Qualifying Entrance Exam | NEET PG, JIPMER, PGIMER, AIIMS |
Syllabus for Nephrology Course
The following is the semester-wise syllabus for the nephrology course:
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Anatomy of Kidney | Basic and Advanced Investigations in Renal Diseases |
| Embryology of the Kidney | Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders |
| Physiology of the Kidney | Basic Knowledge of Immunology |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Basic Knowledge of Renal Pathology | Kidney Diseases in Children |
| Basic Knowledge of Renal Therapeutics | Hereditary Congenital Kidney Diseases |
| Basic Training in Renal Radiology | – |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Kidney Diseases in Pregnancy | Interstitial Diseases |
| Glomerular Diseases | Hypertension Vascular Diseases |
| – | Kidney Disorder in Geriatrics |
Top Colleges in India for Nephrology Courses
Many colleges in India offer Nephrology courses. Some of the best Nephrology colleges in India are as follows:
| College Name | Location |
|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences | New Delhi |
| Christian Medical College | Vellore |
| Andhra Medical College | Visakhapatnam |
| Dr NTR University of Health Sciences | Vijayawada |
| Government Medical College | Kozhikode |
| MS Ramaiah Medical College | Bangalore |
| Dr DY Patil Medical College | Pune |
Diseases that fall under Nephrology
The following are the diseases that fall under the branch of Nephrology:
| Renal Vascular Diseases – related to blood vessels within the kidney | Glomerulonephritis and glomerular diseases. |
| Acute and chronic kidney diseases. | Kidney-related metabolic disorders. |
| Kidney and pancreas transplantation. | Lupus |
| Diabetes. | Fluid and electrolyte disorders. |
| Hypertension. | Acid-Base Imbalances |
| Nephritic Syndrome and Nephritis | Tumours in the Kidney, Uterus, and Bladder |
| Hydronephrosis | Kidney Stone and Bladder Stone |
| Diabetes and Urine abnormalities | Glomerular disorders |
Career Opportunities for Nephrology
The demand for Nephrologists is relatively high since the kidney can be easily affected by many medicines and medical problems and is considered the most sensitive organ of the human body. A Nephrologist can work in either private or government hospitals where the chances of being referred by other doctors are pretty high.
Various kidney and dialysis centres offer multiple job opportunities for Nephrologists. Those with good experiences and skill sets can work as Nephrology consultants or start working independently. Colleges and universities offering Nephrology courses also recruit Nephrologists for teaching positions.
Roles of a Nephrologist
The following are the roles of a nephrologist:
- Consulting visiting patients.
- Conducting a patient’s physical examination.
- Referring patients to a urologist.
- Suggesting adequate renal care.
- Ensuring post-surgery recovery.
- Undertaking studies and research.
Skills Required for Nephrologist
The following are the skills required for nephrologist specialists:
- Critical thinking skills.
- Thorough attention to detail.
- Problem-solving capabilities.
- Compassion.
- Patience.
- Scientific Skills
Job Profile for Nephrology
The following are the job profiles for the nephrology course:
| Paediatric Nephrologist | Nephrologist |
| Surgeon | Transplant Nephrologist |
| Dialysis Medical Officer | Professor |
| Consultants | Intervention Nephrologist |
| Nephrology Specialist | Urologist |
Recruiting Sectors
The following are the recruiting sectors where nephrologist specialists can get employed:
| Research centres | Dialysis centres |
| Rehabilitation Centres | Colleges |
| Kidney centres | Medical centres |
| Hospitals | Organisations |
Top Recruiting Companies
The following are the top recruiting companies where nephrologist specialists can get employed:
| Apollo Hospitals | AIIMS |
| Medanta | Manipal Hospital |
| BLK Super Speciality Hospital | Fortis Hospital |
| Vijaya Hospital | S. L. Raheja Hospital |
