Career in Homeopathy: Scope, salary and skills required
Homeopathy as a system of medicine has prominently evolved over the past two hundred and fifty years and is widely practiced globally as a complementary system of medicine. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), homeopathy is the second largest medical system in the world and is legally practiced in over 84 countries (including India, Germany, the UK, the US, France, and China, among others).
A Homeopathy Research Institute (HRI) report states that India has the highest number of people (10 crore) who rely on Homeopathy for medical care.
Besides, Homeopathy is globally trusted and used by more than 50 crore people. Moreover, the Global Homeopathic Medicine Market is poised to grow from USD 854.4 million in 2021 to USD 1377.9 million by 2028.
Homeopathy can effectively treat a range of acute to chronic diseases like psoriasis, vitiligo, skin allergies and hair loss. It provides long-term relief from long-standing chronic ailments.
A homeopathic doctor treats not just the disease but the person suffering from the disorder. Homeopathic treatment is a holistic health treatment and takes into account the patients' likes, dislikes, emotional health, sleep & work patterns and family background.
After completing Class 12, aspirants can appear for an entry-level clearance examination, like The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This is a very competitive exam and you need to score very well to get admission into a homeopathy college for a graduate degree like Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery (BHMS).
This is offered by several universities and colleges in India and runs for five and a half years, including a year of internship. Students can acquire seats in the college of their choice through the All India Institute of Medical Sciences examination.
Currently, there are 195 undergraduate and 43 post-graduate educational institutions to regulate the knowledge and practice of this medical system. Students get admitted to a college based on their rank.
WHAT KIND OF MINDSET SHOULD STUDENTS HAVE FOR STUDYING BHMS?
Students should be dedicated, disciplined and hardworking to pursue a course in homeopathic medicine. This is because they not only have to study the traditional subjects taught in medical colleges, such as Anatomy, Surgery, Gynecology, Obstetrics, Pathology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, but also many homeopathic subjects like the use of homeopathic medicines in great detail.
WHAT CAN BE DONE AFTER COMPLETING GRADUATION?
Upon pursuing the degree, a well-trained Homeopathy practitioner can become a medical officer in government and private homeopathic hospitals/dispensaries. They can even start clinics after acquiring the requisite degree. Other options include pursuing research as a career for becoming a research scientist. Teaching is another viable option for post-graduate degree holders in Homeopathy.
BHMS degree holders can even go ahead doing higher studies by pursuing a Doctor of Medicine or MD in Homeopathy. This three-year doctorate program offers seven specialisations, including Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry. There is also a one-year fellowship course in Dermatology conducted by Dr Batra's Academy with Mumbai University Health Sciences (MUHS).
WHAT ARE THE GROWTH PROSPECTS OF A HOMEOPATH?
The sky's the limit. A freshly passed out homeopath can earn 15,000 to 20,000 thousand rupees a month at the start. This can increase from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh rupees a month. In private practice, senior homeopaths easily earn up to a crore a year.
Besides, with the greater acceptance of homeopathy, who knows, you could have a Sharukh or a Salman Khan knocking on your door.
