Hematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. It involves treating diseases that affect the production of blood and its components, such as blood cells, hemoglobin, blood proteins, bone marrow, platelets, blood vessels, spleen, and the mechanism of coagulation. Significant diseases related to blood are Malaria, Thalassemia, Leukemia, Clotting disorders, Anemia, Chagas Disease, and African sleeping sickness. The principle tests carried out by a Hematologist are Blood film, Coagulation tests, Bone marrow aspirate, Complete Blood Count, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Hemoglobin A1c, Sickle Cell Screen and Manual white blood cell differential.
The laboratory work required in the study of blood is frequently performed by a Medical Technologist/ Assistant. Many Hematologists work as Hematologist-Oncologists, who provide medical treatment for all types of cancer. Hematologists provide expert primary and consultative care for patients with a diverse spectrum of malignant blood-related disorders.
Top Colleges
Hematology is regarded as one of the distinguished specializations in the medical course. There are many reputed colleges in India that provide a full-time degree in this subject. Some of the top colleges that provide Hematology as a course are mentioned below:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS
- Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry Tamil Nadu
- Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi
- AFMC Pune, Maharashtra
- Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi
- Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi
- Madras Medical College
- BJ medical college
- Osmania Medical College
Highlights
The Hematology Highlights section contains all the details regarding the course in a summarized format for the easy understanding of the students. This section contains brief information regarding the duration of the course, the admission process, eligibility criteria, top recruiters, etc.
Course Level | Postgraduate |
---|---|
Duration | 3 years |
Eligibility |
|
Admission Process | Entrance Based |
Top Recruiters | Government Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Health Cares, Research centers, Medical Health Centres, etc |
Top Career/Job Profiles | General Surgeon, Hematologist, Oncologist, General Practitioner, Chief Medical Officer, etc |
Specializations
- Treating bleeding disorders such as hemophilia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Treating hematological malignancies such as lymphoma and leukemia (cancers)
- Treating hemoglobinopathies
- The science of blood transfusion and the work of a blood bank
- Bone marrow and stem cell transplantation
Eligibility
Before applying for Hematology, students should check their eligibility for the same. If any student is found ineligible then the registration process of the candidate will be canceled. The eligibility criteria for Postgraduate Degree in Hematology mentioned below:
Course | Duration | Eligibility | Entrance |
---|---|---|---|
Doctorate | 3 years |
|
NEET-PG, AIPGM |
Top Recruiters
Haematology provides many successful job opportunities. Institutions like Research centers, prefer General Surgeon, Professors from Hematology background for various research-related activities. Students who are interested in this field can build their bright futures with the lucrative job offers provided by the Medical Industry. Here are the top recruiters of this course:
- Government Hospitals
- Private Hospitals
- Own Health Care
- Research centers
- Medical Health Centre
Admission Process
Admission into Hematology in most of the colleges is done on the basis of performance in the national entrance examination like NEET P.G, PGIMER. AIIMS, etc. Only the students who score above or equal to the cut-off will be eligible for the admission process. The merit list of students will be prepared according to the cut-off mark. Many institutions have a Group Discussion stage, yet many institutions directly invite students for the counselling process. However, some institutes carry out their own entrance exams followed by personal interviews and counseling in some cases.
Syllabus
Syllabus for Hematology may differ from one Institute to another. The syllabus of the course highlights the complete course curriculum of a particular degree. It is classified accordingly to the semester and core subjects selected by the candidates.
1st Year:
Basics of Hematology | Introduction to clinical hematology |
Basic morphology and concepts of hematopoiesis | Bone marrow structure and examination |
RBC structure and functions | Development of the immune system |
Bleeding Disorder Mechanism | Overview of normal Hemostatic Mechanism |
Laboratory approach to the diagnosis of Leukemia |
2nd Year:
Iron metabolism and iron deficiency anemia | Megaloblastic anemia |
Red cell membrane defects and enzymopathy | Thalassemia |
Sickle Cell anemia | Abnormal hemoglobin |
Lab diagnosis of platelet function | Immune hemolytic anemia |
3rd year:
Cell cycle and Carcinogenesis | Principles of chemotherapy |
Reactive lymphocytosis | Acute leukemia |
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and adults | T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders |
Bone marrow transplantation | Disorders of spleen |
Skills Required
The aspirants of the Hematology should have some of the primary skills for a bright future in the long run. Not all skills are inherited rather many have endured a long practicing period and then have earned a particular skill set. Some of the important skills required in this field of Hematology are mentioned below:
- Strong clinical skill to treat a hematological disorder
- The ability to analyze and interpret laboratory data for proper diagnoses.
- The ability to further train students and junior doctors.
- Patience
- Politeness
- Ability to build a harmonious relationship with their patients, service mentality
- Strong ethics
- Self-motivation, understanding, etc.
Top Entrances
Many institutions offer admission into Hematology only after a student qualifies in the entrance examination. Different universities or colleges have a separate entrance examination for Hematology. Many other institutions accept scorecard from a specified national level common entrance like NEET, AIIMS, PGIMER, etc. While choosing, the students need to qualify one of these entrance exams, these are mentioned below:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences Entrance Exam
- Armed Forces Medical College Entrance Exam
- Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University Entrance Exam
- IGNOU Entrance Exam in Clinical Hematology
- NTR University of Health Sciences Entrance Exam
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate
- (All India Post Graduate Medical Entrance Examination
- Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology Entrance Exam
Career & Job Prospects
A career in Hematology can provide a very lucrative future. With a degree in Cardiology, one may avail one of many high paying jobs like becoming a General Surgeon or a Chief Medical Officer. In this field, one can also be a lecturer for any medical college. Here, are some of the top career/job profiles associated with the field.
Job Profile |
Job Description |
Average Salary Per Annum |
---|---|---|
General Surgeon | Similar to other medical professionals, surgeons are responsible for examining patients, diagnosing, and recommending the best course of action. Some general surgeons are also responsible for conducting research in the field. | 5 - 7 lakhs |
Chief Medical Officer | Chief Medical Officers are responsible for managing hospital budgets, recruiting and training healthcare physicians, ensuring that all staff adhere to safety standards and delivering the highest quality of medical care. | 5 - 8 lakhs |
General Practitioner | General Practitioner is a medical doctor who treats all common medical conditions and refers patients to hospitals and other medical services for urgent and specialist treatment. | 3 - 5 lakhs |
Hematologist | Hematologists are medical practitioners who specialize in treating conditions of the blood. Their primary responsibilities include testing and diagnosing patients, treating diseases such as anemia or hemophilia and prescribing medications or dietary advice. | 4 - 7 lakhs |
Oncologist | An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer. The field of oncology has three major areas: medical, surgical, and radiation. A medical oncologist treats cancer using chemotherapy or other medications, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy. | 5 - 6 lakhs |
FAQ's
Q: Why would you get referred to a hematologist?
A: Common blood disorders include anemia, bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, blood clots, and blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. If you are diagnosed with a blood disorder, your doctor may refer you to a hematologist.
Q: What diseases does a hematologist treat?
A: A hematologist is a specialist in hematology, the science or study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood diseases. The medical aspect of hematology is concerned with the treatment of blood disorders and malignancies, including types of hemophilia, leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle-cell anemia.
Q: What are the top colleges providing a degree in Hematology?
A: Some of the top colleges are mentioned below:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS
- Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry Tamil Nadu
- Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi
- AFMC Pune, Maharashtra
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for a degree in Hematology?
A: The eligibility criteria are mentioned below:
- Candidate should have an MBBS Degree with a minimum of 1 year of internship certificate.
- Candidates should have completed 2- 3 years MD (Medicine)/DNB course
Q: What are the Top Career Profiles associated with Hematology?
A: Some of the top career profiles are mentioned below:
- Hematologist
- Chief Medical Officer
- General Surgeon
Q: What is the duration of a course in Hematology?
A: The duration of the course is 3 years
Q: What are the important skills required in this field?
A: The important skills are mentioned below:
- Patience and politeness
- Ability to build a harmonious relationship with their patients
- Strong Ethics
- Service mentality
Q: Who are the top recruiters in this field of Hematology?
A: Some of the top recruiters are mentioned below:
- Government Hospitals
- Private Hospitals
- Health Cares
- Research centres
- Medical Health Centres
Q: What is the starting salary after a degree in Hematology?
A: It depends on the organisation for which the person is working and his/her designation. However, the average starting salary can be around 3 - 4 lakhs per annum.
Q: What is the admission process in Hematology?
A: Admission in Hematology in most of the colleges is done on the basis of performance in the entrance examination. However, some institutes carry out their own entrance exams followed by personal interviews and counseling in some cases.