When you hear about career options amongst individuals in our country, you tend to see a great inclination of the society towards the medical profession. Now, the question is that what makes it enticing? What makes it loveable or attractive? Many would say we as doctors can be of help to many. Some may look at the lifestyle that this field provides. Yet others may look for the respect that this profession gives you as a doctor. Taking into consideration today’s scenario, where every other individual fights for a medical seat to find themselves into the best of medical colleges. The undue pressure that it creates on the students’ life is immeasurable! Parents and society all act as an aggravating factor. What do we hear at the end? Some student from some or other state has given his or her life, because his or her dream of becoming a doctor won’t be fulfilled. It’s 2020, everything is unpredictable, so all of us must be practical rather than being emotionally driven. If getting into the medical field is your dream, and you were unsuccessful in getting an MBBS seat, why not look for alternatives, also called alternative medical science.
BAMS and BHMS are good alternatives for students looking for a medical career. So through this article, I will be elaborating about both these branches, how can students look at these subjects as good alternatives and plan for a better future.
Basics About The Stream
- BAMS – BACHELOR’S IN AYURVEDIC MEDICINE AND SURGERY
- BHMS – BACHELOR’S IN HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE AND SURGERY
Both of these streams are available across India and many South Asian countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore etc. So obtaining a degree from any of these places can make you viable to practice in the respective state, only after the doctor has registered itself with the government of that country.
What does Ayurveda medicine deal with – It importantly deals with the usage of natural products to heal the diseased body. It also believes in the overall discipline of the body, which involves a balance of mind, body, and spirit. Treating with Ayurveda involves natural science, the five elements of earth, nutrition, spiritual exercises, yoga, etc. It also involves the teachings of modern medicine.
Whereas Homeopathy deals with a phrase stating like treats like that is a substance which tends to make s healthy body diseased is the same substance that tends to resolve any kind of abnormality from the diseased individual when given as a medicine. It involves extreme dilution of substance that making the composition of medicine, and that causing substance differ though practically they are the same.
Both of these streams are medieval sciences whose results are not proven scientifically, but, yes! The term pseudoscientific has been used by many scholars for both streams. What makes these branches appealing for the current era is its categorization under the current trend of moving towards a natural way of living. Both these science tend to treat people naturally making it safe and harmless.
Difference Between BAMS Vs. BHMS
| Criteria | BAMS | BHMS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery | Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery |
| System of Medicine | Ayurveda | Homeopathy |
| Duration | 5.5 years (Including internship) | 5.5 years (Including internship) |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with Science (Biology group) | 10+2 with Science (Biology group) |
| Admission Process | Through NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) or state-level entrance exams | Through NEET or state-level entrance exams |
| Curriculum | – Ayurvedic philosophy and principles
– Anatomy – Physiology – Pharmacology – Pathology – Surgery – Obstetrics and Gynecology – Community Medicine – Panchakarma (Ayurvedic therapy) |
– Homeopathic philosophy and principles
– Anatomy – Physiology – Organon of Medicine – Materia Medica – Surgery – Obstetrics and Gynecology – Practice of Medicine |
| Internship | 1 year of compulsory internship in Ayurvedic hospitals or healthcare settings | 1 year of compulsory internship in Homeopathic hospitals or healthcare settings |
| Scope and Practice | – Traditional Ayurvedic medicine
– Ayurvedic hospitals and clinics – Research and teaching in Ayurveda |
– Homeopathic practice
– Homeopathic hospitals and clinics – Research and teaching in Homeopathy |
| Regulatory Body | Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) | Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH) |
| Job Opportunities | – Ayurvedic practitioner
– Ayurvedic doctor in hospitals – Researcher<br>- Academician |
– Homeopathic practitioner
– Homeopathic doctor in clinics or hospitals – Researcher – Academician |
| Salary Range | Varies widely, but generally competitive with allopathic doctors | Varies widely, but generally competitive with allopathic doctors |
| Recognition | Recognized by the Government of India and the respective State Governments | Recognized by the Government of India and the respective State Governments |
Which One Is Better?
Let’s get into a comparative analysis between the two that would give a clear insight into choices that you can make based on your preference and likability.
Eligibility Requirements
Both the streams requires the individual to be 10 +2 and marks more than 50 % in the 12th board. This percentage may differ based on reservation provided to different classes.
- Also Read: How To Become a homeopathy Doctor in India
Entrance Exam
Both the stream requires you to compete in the NEET exam (National Eligibility Entrance Test). Obtaining a mark above 350 can get you any other above seats, which is lesser than the score required to get an MBBS seat in today’s time. With the available data of 2020, the cut-off mark of 400 has is set for BAMS. Around 350 is for BHMS; these are marks for government seats. Private college may take up student above 300 depending on state its state quota and availability of seats. With the above-mentioned marks, the individual can opt for their dream of getting into medicine. In terms of mark’s BHMS requires lesser.
Fees Structure
Well, there isn’t much of a difference. But, still course of BHMS is cheaper than BAMS where the fees would be around 20k to 30k whereas, for Ayurveda, it is 35k to 40k. Private colleges may charge about 4 to 5 lakhs.
Duration
Both the courses last for four and a half years with a compulsory one-year internship.
Post Graduation
Both the courses have post-graduation available, but the post-graduation differs in the subject of study. It is from this point that the two streams differentiate. Post-graduation in allopathy is possible by both the degree holders through bridge courses. It has now been accepted by the government of India but is still under the process of its application.
Career Opportunities – Both the streams open into numerous career options. One can start practicing under any governmental or private sector after getting itself registered under the government of India. The individual can have its clinic or its pharmacy, where they can sell Ayurveda and Homeopathy medicines. The person can opt for a post-graduation degree after completion of which the individual will be open to more jobs and high finance that is into teaching. The individual can also get into research, product manufacturing for the one who is business enthusiasts. In many foreign countries, Ayurveda scholars are taken for research purposes, where they are called scientists. They are given jobs of managing. Altogether, these streams open up to multiple careers of different sectors making the individual shift looking into the pattern of demand amongst the crowd.
Finance
Both the streams open up to the same level of paychecks, which is around 20k to 30k. It tends to increase with work experience. Government sectors have much high finance. Individuals opening up their clinics after the internship can earn more. Earning has no limit here; it all depends upon individuals skills, personality, and trust that the doctor can provide to the patient. With post-graduation, the individual can get into the teaching sector, which grants huge paychecks making both these professions financially. Ayurveda has a high hand here, but the margin is pretty much less.
Demand in West – This is the only point where both the streams lack, but its future perspective seems to be brighter in this aspect. Many countries don’t allow Ayurveda and Homeopathy medicine practice there medicines are also banned in many countries. Area of prevalence majorly involves Asia. Due to the changing trend and inclination of people towards natural things and natural ways of living, people are looking towards both these stream-related doctors. Every year people in the masses from western countries turn to India for AYURVEDIC and HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT for various chronic ailments because still today, both these sciences are said to be a safer option than allopathy. People favor Homeopathy more because it is 100 % natural and safe without any side effects. There is an increase in Indian made Ayurvedic products, which suggests a high market value to the degree those who are into research can benefit a lot through launching their products.
Preference
Which stream to choose well this goes to individual analysis. I hope that I have been able to resolve by detailed analysis and difference between the two. But onto my analysis, if I need to summarise, looking into the matter grossly, I would suggest individuals who are more interested in treating the patients can opt for homeopathy. These are the safest way to treat and has no side effects with patient involving single seating that is with one discussion followed by monthly prescribed homeopathic medicine. It makes the doctor’s job hassle-free and less tiring. Ones who are business enthusiast or are into research work or would love to see themselves as scientists can opt for Ayurveda because this field involves product formation labeling and branding, which is altogether a new sector. Through research, people can keep their instincts of science alive for life.
Conclusion:
Life is precious, and being practical is the need of the hour. Our country has been faulty in categorizing professions giving some the elite status, and all the other jobs are looked down upon. It is a sad reality, but the revolution is happening where people are looking for alternatives apart from running behind the society decided streams. Both BAMS & BHMS were progressive branches that were high in demand years ago but, it lost its charm after the advent of ALLOPATHY MEDICINE but, looking at the current status of our environment, our body, people are switching towards the roots. Hence there is an increased demand for homeopathy and Ayurveda. Students deciding to make a career in the medical field can opt for these where they can help this developed science revive to the demand of the crowd shifting its preference. Which one is better again depends on your preferences and interest, I can assure you only one thing pick any both will give you that respect, joy of treating patients and money. Don’t be like a sheep of a herd who tends to follow masses, rather be like a lion and embark on your journey. One cannot determine success based on what degree you hold. It only depends on how much hard work you put in and how devoted you are to your job; everything else lies to destiny and your karma.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
