Job prospects are bright
Asok Aggarwal, dean and senior consultant, Behl Skin Institute and School of Dermatology, New Delhi is interviewed by Rahat Bano.
Alongside leprosy, STDs, psoriasis and eczema, what’re the other 
problems a dermatologist deals with today?
Acne, baldness, birth and other marks, vascular malformations, warts, moles, and to an extent freckles.
What’s the demand for dermatologists in India, especially in the cosmetic and aesthetic solutions industry?
There’s a lot of demand. In cosmetology, there’s more growth for lasers, fillers, and botox. And, though it doesn’t come under cosmetology, nowadays a lot of people have hair problems, so they go for treatment.
To what extent do the MD programmes in dermatology equip students with what’s required today? How much of cosmetology is part of the syllabi?
There are two types of programmes. One is the three-year DNB, which you become eligible for after clearing the primary exam of the National Board of Examination. The second is, you do a diploma after your house job (which is taken up after MBBS) and then do a two-year DNB programme. So, you do an MBBS programme, do your house job, clear the primary exam and do a three-year DNB. Alternatively, complete your MBBS followed by a house job, do a diploma and then a two-year DNB.
Third, (after MBBS) you can do a two-year MD programme in dermat- ology. Cosmetology is not too much part of the curriculum. I would advise young (medical) graduates to take up dermatology. There are excellent job prospects for dermatologists. A lot of women choose this as there is no night duty. It’s an interesting subject. Now people are more aware of skin problems. In the middle-aged group, more people now come for skin tightening than earlier.
As a career option, how does dermatology compare with other specialisations?
It depends on individual choice. It’s equally competitive to get into dermatology. 
Author: HT Horizons
Date: 27th Nov., 2009
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