Career Prospects of Medicine and Healthcare

Notably, medicine and health care is not a static industry, it changes with the expanding population. One must understand that the growing population and association amongst patients and practitioners brings to the fore the importance of healthcare industry. The field has undergone various changes and stages of development; specialisations in the field are increasing each day. Apart from government hospitals and their staff, private hospitals and private medical practitioners play an important role in delivering healthcare services in India.

Private sector corporate entities like the Apollo Hospitals, Wockhardt Hospitals and Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare have aggressive expansion plans for the healthcare industry in the offing. Hence, those interested in opting for a career in medicine and healthcare, have a plethora of opportunities available in this industry.

Even though the Indian economy has slowed down in 2009, the impact on Healthcare sector is much less in comparison to the other sectors. Medical insurance and medical tourism have become significant segments of healthcare industry today.

Future Prospects

The demand for medical professionals is tremendously increasing with the increasing population and upsurge in the number of diseases and ailments each new day. At the same time super specialty hospitals are mushrooming in the country offering employment opportunities in different areas.

The passion to improve people’s lives can offer career paths - in a hospital as a nurse/doctor/surgeon/laboratory assistant/ radiologist; as a private medical practitioner/dentist in a community, or one could work in a health or wellness company or hospital or medical college or independently as a pathologist, medical representative, health administrator, pharmacist, medical researcher, medical transcriptionist, health technologist, medical equipment manufacturer and health insurer.  

Talking specifically about health insurance, currently only 10 per cent of the Indian population has health insurance, which means that there is tremendous scope for growth in this area. In 2008-09, health insurance has emerged as one of the fastest growing segments in the non-life insurance industry with 30 per cent growth, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority said in its annual report for 2008-09.

Other than Allopathy, medicine also covers different systems like Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. The field of healthcare also includes complementary therapists, such as acupuncturists, herbalists and homeopaths. Such not so typically medicinal areas have become hit as they treat illnesses naturally and from the root with no side effects.

Besides, the opportunities aren't limited to traditional health care jobs and occupations. Health care institutions need accountants, auditors, directors of personnel, computer programmers, computer support specialists, chemists, computer operators, photographers, midwives and food service helpers. Medical billing job opportunities include billing specialist, patient account representative, claims analyst, reimbursement specialist.