Doctors having a doctorate (MD) or a diploma in psychiatric medicine (DPM), after an MBBS, from a recognized educational institution, are qualified to work as psychiatrists.

Eligibility

Doctors who have successfully completed the MBBS programme are eligible for the postgraduate degree (MD) and diploma courses in psychiatry.

Duration

The Doctorate (MD) course in psychiatry is of three years' duration. The DPM is of two years' duration.

Institutions

Various institutions across the country offer courses in psychiatry. Prominent among these are the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHNS) in Bangalore, which offers an MD and a diploma course in psychiatry; and the Central Institute of Psychiatry (Ranchi) which offers MD and diploma courses in psychiatry. 

The Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, is, at present, being set up in Shahadra in Delhi. It is expected to emerge as an important institution for the study of psychiatry.

Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, AIIMS, and the Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi also offer MD and diploma courses in psychiatry. Similar courses are also offered at the Post Graduate Institute in Chandigarh, the Medical College in Madras, and Christian Medical College in Vellore (Tamil Nadu).

The National Board of Examinations conducts the Diploma of National Board Exam (DNB), which is considered equivalent to an MD.

Academic Programme

The subjects taught in the MD programme include Psychology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the brain, neurology and neurosurgery. Practical training is provided to students in mental hospitals. Child psychiatry, community psychiatry, social psychiatry, forensic psychiatry and preventive psychiatry also form a part of the academic curriculum. 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

patience, perseverance, interest in and understanding of human behavior, ability to listen, emotional stability, a genuine concern and sympathy towards the patients, with, however, an objective approach towards their problems.