Expert Advice On What A Career In Dermatology Is All About

Dermatology is a fascinating and diverse field of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of skin, hair, and nail conditions. However, the professionals who practise dermatology are not beauticians. They treat diseases, and prescribe medication for underlying conditions that affect these organs of our body. Over the years it has evolved to be a very respectable and lucrative profession.

Dermatology plays a crucial role in India's healthcare system as its diverse climate, population and environmental changes contribute to a high prevalence of skin conditions. Skin ailments such as acne, eczema, fungal infections, and pigmentary disorders are very common.

Dermatologists in India nowadays have a reach that extends beyond clinical practice and can be found in various industries and areas due to the diverse applications of their expertise. For instance, in-house dermatologists can be part of corporate wellness programmes, providing skin health screenings, educational sessions, and advice to employees. Some dermatologists contribute columns to health and beauty sections in magazines, newspapers, and online platforms, providing expert advice on skincare, hair care, and common skin conditions. They can also work with pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical trials for new dermatological medications and treatments. They may also contribute to the research and development of new drugs. Moreover, India's growing cosmetology and aesthetics industry offers various career opportunities for dermatologists. Careers360 had an interactive conversation with Dr Mamta Dinesh a professional dermatologist, here are excerpts from the interaction.

Also Read | Naturopathy: A Career In Alternative Medical Science

“I have done my MBBS as well as MD from IMS- BHU, Varanasi in Dermatology. I've been practising dermatology for 20 years. I already had in mind that I'd do either gynaecology or dermatology. But later on, I realised gynaecology is quite hectic and there are more emergencies, so I decided to go for dermatology. Dermatology on the other hand has no hectic schedules, you can work at your own convenience.

I got into MBBS after cracking the Pre-Medical test and then pursued MD in skin and VD (venereal disease). Earlier, we used to get admissions into medical specialisations (MD) based on the merit of our graduation scores. Therefore, based on my scores, I was able to opt for dermatology. Since 2016, PMT has been replaced by NEET, nowadays for MBBS, you need to qualify for NEET UG, and to pursue MD, you need to qualify for NEET PG.

After completing MD I did my senior residency programme at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for a few years then I established my own clinic.

Moreover, I would suggest young medical students to go for smart studies and not just the conventional way of studying, as competition in today’s scenario in almost every field has drastically increased. One should study the exam patterns that have occurred in previous years. Always stay with the trend and upgrade with the knowledge about upcoming medical trends. Students should also use their critical thinking while preparing and not just mug up the books and sample papers. Stay dedicated and focused to your goal and never let anything distract you. I also believe the medical field has evolved with the advancement of technology so there is so much interesting knowledge and experiences to learn. Practising medicine today has become so much fun with new kinds of challenges and complexities which can sharpen our skills and knowledge, so always be excited and curious to learn new things and love what you do.

I am self-employed as I have my own clinic named at Gyan Hospital, in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. I have a set time, basically I have two schedules of working i.e.Morning (11 to 2) am and Evening (6 to 8) pm.

Those who are hired by hospitals typically have a diverse job profile that involves diagnosing, treating, and managing, Burn and Trauma Care, Medical Research and Education (Lecturer). So, yes we have to deal with accidents and burn injuries as well. Therefore, any disease or issue related to skin, hair or nails are treated by us such as skin allergies, chronic inflammatory disorders, and infectious diseases.

Also Read | Open Learning: Is It An Option You Are Considering?

Additionally, there are various options for students who opt for dermatology as a career, such as Jobs in hospitals (Government or Private) and as researchers. Apart from this, during my initial time of practising, Cosmetic surgery was not so popular, but nowadays cosmetic processes such as pigmentation, anti-aging, and different fillers (lip, under eye, and face lifting) have become more common, which has a lot to offer in terms of scope and opportunities in the field of dermatology, and any professional from the same field can earn a lot. Cosmetic Dermatology is gaining more attention due to these reasons.

In today's times, a dermatologist can easily earn starting from Rs. 1 lakh that can go beyond Rs. 5 lakh depending on the experience, skills and their specialisation.

If young aspirants wish to pursue dermatology as a profession, they should try to gain exposure by participating in dermatology clinics or departments. Shadow experienced dermatologists to understand the profession and its day-to-day responsibilities. Moreover, As a dermatologist, communication skills are essential for building rapport with patients and providing effective healthcare. Work on developing empathy, active listening, and patient communication skills. Other than this, one needs to have knowledge about lasers. There are different lasers, such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Carbon Dioxide Laser (CO2), pulsed dye laser, etc, which are being used in dermatology and many cosmetic procedures.”

Scope Of Dermatology In India And Abroad

I believe that dermatology in India, due to its cosmetic touch, is in trend and growing, so it is a good time for medical students if they want to take up derma as a specialisation. It was not the case back in our time; we just had to deal with skin and various skin-related issues. However, In abroad, awareness of the cosmetic aspect of dermatology was already there, but comparatively, it is heightening nowadays there also. Dermatologists are in demand globally due to the prevalence of skin conditions and the increasing awareness of skin health. There are opportunities to work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and academic institutions. Moreover, Dermatologists can explore opportunities in aesthetic procedures, laser treatments, and cosmetic surgeries, catering to the growing demand for skin rejuvenation and enhancement.

Soft Skills Required

There are some lessons, such as dealing with different kinds of patients, which means encountering various personalities is not an easy task. This is something you will not learn in classrooms now be it any topmost institute. We get to learn people-handling skills while practising, but I do believe that medical colleges should also add this to their curriculum. This greatly affects our work, as treatments are also individualised on the basis of the person we are dealing with. There are different requirements and needs of patients, other than this, we deal with many patients who come to us in fear already as I observed people have become more skin conscious in recent times, so we have to try our best to earn their trust. Many patients do not get their complete treatment done, so we have to make them understand the importance of it for their own benefit.

Also Read | How To Choose The Right Subject Combinations In Humanities?