Post by: Dr Deepak Shetty
My two bits about DNB but it ll be a long post.
Disclaimer- These are my opinions and yours can differ. So in such cases let’s agree to disagree.
Hello all, i am writing this post because of all the hullabaloo about dnb in the group and any comment in the group invites a barrage of queries. There are few concerns about dnb- few genuine, few exaggerated and few downright malicious.
I am a 3rd year DNB OBG resident in Bangalore Baptist Hospital. My AIQ rank was 4.7k. It was quite a scandal when i took OBG and then DNB within my family circles. And over time I keep asking myself if my decision was wrong or right. As of now, it seems like a right choice.
I will try to address a few myths about dnb. I apologize for people who would text me on my messenger coz i wudnt be able to text you back since i ve my own exams to worry about. Good institutions are something you need to find out. Other than my institute and my department, i cant talk much coz i genuinely don’t know.
PERCEPTION
My mom asked me why i wanted to do “diploma” when I told her the full form of dnb. And it took time to convince her about the course. My dad was quite confident about my decision though he knew nothing about it.
My three years in dnb has enlightened me that it doesn’t matter what degree you have to the general public. If you are compassionate, skillful and knowledgeable patients will come. It’s word of mouth which fetches you the patients and not your degree.
That said, bias exists among ourselves. Some have condescending views about dnb, probably the reason why i am writing this post right now. And definitely the institute matters, but my personal opinion is if you complete dnb from a good institution, it’s as good as any medical college.
QUALITY
DNB really strives for quality education. There is something called formative assessment tests every year comprising of theory and practical exams which have no bearing on your final exam marks but let’s you know where you stand. Thesis and research is a big deal. You are mandated to attend a workshop on research methodology. You are supposed to complete ACLS and BLS training. And thesis is scrutinized well.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
There is plenty of work available after finishing. Hospitals don’t have a bias to hire you. Medical colleges are a little iffy to hire you but i know a lot of them have joined medical colleges without issues. If you want to hone your skills post dnb, medical colleges are not the only place, you can join district hospitals too where there is ample scope for honing your skills.
If at all there is a lil bias against dnbs probably it rests in medical colleges probably because of inherent hypocrisy in government rules which has a clear bias against dnb.
EXAMS
This probably is one of the biggest misconceptions about dnb. The sheer ignorance of people about it is baffling. Exams are difficult. I agree. But rumors of abysmal pass percentage is a big myth and quite malicious too. Dnb exams are tougher but it genuinely tests your character. Theory Questions focus on clinical skills as well as recent advances. Practical exams are held in a neutral location. But good students usually pass.. In my institute, there is always a pass percentage of above 90 percent over all departments. Same goes for many good institutions. People who don’t work hard, or who have had a huge bad luck during practicals fail. As simple as that.
CONS
Definitely nothing can be hunky dory. Dnb does have cons. The biggest of which is the government’s stepmotherly treatment towards it probably to protect interests of rich owners of private hospitals. Government promises equivalence but it is always a distant dream. It’s laughable that government endorses two sets of pg course and tells them it’s ALMOST EQUAL but biases them in their own institutions.
Next comes the bureaucratic mess that is nbe. You all know it already i guess. Getting things done takes time n you are at the mercy of people on top.
Another is non uniformity of institutions. Exams are uniform. That is very commendable. But so much difference in how institutes are run, or academics are conducted or hands on.
Paperwork. This is probably the biggest issue i personally have. Most of time in pg is spent on doing endless paperwork. So many drug sheets, so many consents, so many registers. But such is the world that medico legal issues have become the biggest threat to medical profession these days. Sometimes i feel it’s good that we learn to be careful early in the career.
BOTTOM LINE
DNB is a lifeline for people who are hardworking, come from lower or middle class background and who cannot take repeated drops to get to the dream institute. If you are getting a good government college and you are getting your branch, i wud advise them to take government college itself. But paying exorbitant fees for private colleges with poor teaching facilities and less hands on is mindless( though there are few excellent private medical colleges too).
Nobody has a dnb institute as their dream institution. It just happens to you. If you are getting your preferred branch in a good institution, then take it. People will keep discouraging you but don’t miss an opportunity to be trained in a good institution in a preferred branch. But it takes a lot of effort to make sure it’s a good hospital. And trust me, it’s worth it. And presently i am happy that i took dnb. Absolutely no regrets!
All the best folks