Do you dream of becoming a general physician? With the rising number of patients, the country is in dire need of qualified doctors. Here is your guide on how to become a general physician in Pakistan.
A general physician, also called a doctor, is a highly trained medical professional specializing in all forms of non-surgical treatments. They treat chronic or acute illnesses and provides a treatment and prevention plan. It is a profession that is held in high regard and honor by people from all walks of life. The doctors’ responsibility is to save lives, assist in the birth of new life, and give hope to the sick and distressed.
There are numerous diseases and disorders that afflict this planet, and natural and artificial accidents (gunshots, car accidents), so different medical problems are handled by different types of doctors based on their specialization. Medicine is one of the most desirable professions in the world and one of the most financially rewarding.
Who is a General Physician?
A general physician, or GP, is a medical doctor who specializes in a wide range of diseases that affect the body and do not require surgery as a primary treatment. They treat patients with complicated, serious, or unusual medical problems and follow up with them until the issues are resolved or stabilized. The majority of their work is done with hospitalized patients, but most general practitioners also see patients in their offices.
General physicians are distinguished from other specialists by their broad range of expertise. Other specialists limit their medical practice to problems involving only one body system or a specific area of medical knowledge.
The Pathway to Become a General Physician in Pakistan
The pathway to becoming a general physician is a long one, and it requires consistent effort and passion for being a doctor. Following is the pathway layout on how to become a general physician in Pakistan:
1. Completing High School
This refers to the education received, including the Matric or O levels. It is critical to choose biology as a major in order to become a general physician because medical school concepts are based on the physiology and anatomy of the human body. Choosing biology for matric or O levels will provide you with a basic understanding of the processes that occur in the human body.
2. Intermediate in Pre Medical
FSc. Pre-Medical or science subjects (Chemistry/Biology) are required during your A levels. This is necessary because universities and colleges that offer the MBBS degree only accept students who have completed this qualification. Because this is such a strong field in healthcare, the demand for this degree is usually quite high, so you should work hard and achieve a high score (at least 80%) during your intermediate studies.
3. MDCAT Exam
An MDCAT (medical and dental college admission test) is mandatory, especially in Punjab. Scoring at least 80% is compulsory to qualify for applying to medical universities. Then, the admission is based on the merit lists of each university.
4. Five Years of Medical College
After the MDCAT comes the actual mountain to climb; five years of medical college! However intimidating that may sound, hundreds of students pass out from countless medical schools each year. Yet, medical studies require a lot of time and effort.
5. One Year of House Job
A House job is like an experience year for new graduates, and they step into the real world of hospitals and emergencies. Under close supervision and guidance of their seniors, fresh graduates follow the medical guidelines into becoming one of the frontline superheroes of the healthcare industry.
6. Specialization Exams
Those who want to specialize in a particular field such as gynecology, pediatrics, or surgery give a specialization exam.
7. Work Experience
In all areas of professional life, work experience is a must. The more experienced a doctor is, the more patients trust them. It is best to go out into the professional world as soon as possible to get every ounce of experience you can get.
Also read: How to become a Dietitian in Pakistan
Other Career Options
Pakistani doctors, particularly those who specialize, have a wide range of job opportunities. Furthermore, if you specialize at a reputable teaching hospital abroad, your chances of landing a high-paying physician job increase dramatically. Pakistani doctors can work not only in Pakistan but also in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Other career options for general physicians are:
- lecturer
- managerial role in a hospital
- technological role
Salary of General Physicians
According to a new law passed in Pakistan, postgraduate doctors working in their homes should be paid between Rs.18,000 and Rs.50,000 per month. They also receive health allowances ranging from Rs.2000 to Rs.45,000 per month. Specialized doctors’ salaries rise as their years of experience grow, and experienced doctors can charge very high fees per surgery.
Success Stories
There are many success stories of general physicians in Pakistan, who are fortunately registered at Marham.
1. Professor Dr. Ghulam Ali Mundrawala – Gastroenterologist – Karachi
Prof. Dr. Ghulam Ali Mundrawala is a qualified doctor with an experience of 42 years. He has done his MBBS and MD from Karachi University and MCPS from College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. His areas of specialty are achalasia dilation, diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP. In addition, he is also an expert in treating dysentery, ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease.
2. Professor Dr. Javed Akram
Prof. Dr. Javed Akram has an experience of over 40 years in the medical field. He has the following qualifications:
- F.R.C.P from Royal College of Physicians, London,
- F.R.C.P from Royal College of Physicians, Glasgow,
- F.R.C.P from Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh,
- M.R.C.P from Royal College of Physicians, UK,
- FACP from Royal College of Physicians, USA,
- FACC from American College of Cardiology, USA
- M.B.B.S from King Edward Medical University
A qualified doctor and expert in medicine, Prof. Dr. Javed Akram is registered at Marham and has treated over 1500 patients. He is also available for online consultations.
3. Associate Professor Dr. Somia Iqtadar
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Somia Iqtadar is an expert in her field. She has a medical experience of 17 years and has treated more than 500 patients through Marham. She has the following qualifications in her field:
- MBBS from King Edward Medical University, Lahore
- FCPS (Medicine) from College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan
- FRCP from Royal College of Physicians, London
Dr. Somia is also an internal medicine specialist and her special areas of interest are venipuncture, hepatitis, asthma, cerebrovascular accidents and IBS.
FAQs
1. How hard is it to complete a medical degree?
It is hard to get a medical degree because it requires consistent hard work and passion.
2. How long does it take to become a general physician in Pakistan?
It takes a total of 6 years to become a professional, and five years of medical college with an additional year of house job is required.
3. Can you become a doctor without MBBS in Pakistan?
To become a medical doctor, you need an MBBS degree, and however, a Ph.D. can give the doctorate title.
Book an appointment now to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top General Physicians in Pakistan through Marham by calling Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by online booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
Can’t Find The App?
Android Users:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=controllers.marham.marhammed&hl=en
Drop a review for us at Playstore if you’ve had a good experience!
iPhone Users:
https://apps.apple.com/pk/app/marham-find-a-doctor/id1095243102
Stay Home. Stay Safe!
