Is dermatology a field that inspires you? Do you want to become a dermatologist? If yes, then this is your one-stop to know all about how to become a dermatologist in Pakistan.
But let’s get to know what dermatology is.
Dermatology is a very unique field that deals with skin diseases. You may be familiar with common skin conditions e.g. acne scars, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, vasculitis, etc. Not just diseases, dermatology also deals with beautifying e.g. treating dark circles, removing blackheads, facial hair, etc.
In Pakistan, skin diseases are prevailing at an alarming rate. A study done on patients coming to Mayo Hospital for skin diseases showed that eczema and infectious diseases were the most common. But people can get different kinds of skin diseases, like rashes, and infections.
It’s the need of the hour to increase the number of qualified dermatologists in hospitals to cater to the vast need for treatment.
If you are hardworking and have a knack for this field, you should pursue dermatology.
This article will help you in understanding all about dermatology in Pakistan.
Table of Contents
What is a Dermatologist?
A dermatologist is a general physician who deals with the ailments of skin, hair, and nails. A dermatologist can diagnose and treat more than 3000 skin conditions.
Your skin is an incredible organ. It is the largest organ in your body, which acts as the first line of defense against germs. During summer, it cools your body. It even sends messages to your brain, if something is wrong inside your body.
In a nutshell, a dermatologist is the one who cares for the skin, the organ which cares a lot for you.
What Training Does a Dermatologist Get?
Dermatologists have the most training of anybody to address issues with your skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists spend more than a decade in training before they may start working, which includes:
- For a bachelor’s degree, four years of college are required.
- A medical doctor must complete five years of medical school.
- One-year internship
- 3 years of residency, 12,000–16,000 hours of patient care, and collaboration with senior physicians.
What is a Board-Certified Dermatologist?
A dermatologist who has successfully completed residency school might become board certified by passing a challenging exam on the knowledge and abilities they have learned throughout their years of training.
When a physician holds board certification from the American Board of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, you may be sure that they have completed the industry’s most demanding training requirements.
The board certification must come from one of these organizations in order to be valid. Other certifications do not represent the same level of training and knowledge as boards, which come in a variety of different boards.
Why Should You Choose a Board-Certified Dermatologist?
Dermatologists treat more than 3,000 conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. One in four persons is affected by skin illnesses each year, which are particularly prevalent.
Dermatologists treat a wide range of skin diseases, including warts and dangerous skin malignancies. They may encounter conditions like allergic reactions to common items, bacterial or viral infections, chronic immune system-related diseases, and more.
Dr. Mahvish Aftab Khan, a renowned Dermatologist telling about her profession, says that dermatologists also assist patients who seek assistance with cosmetic issues, such as addressing concerns with their aging skin, treating wounds from surgeries to remove skin cancer, assisting with the reduction of acne or other scars, or assisting patients with illnesses like AIDS in regaining a more attractive appearance.
A board-certified dermatologist has training in all these kinds of conditions and skin malignancies. So, it’s best to always choose a trained and highly professional dermatologist.
Dermatologist vs Skin Specialist
You don’t need to get confused. A dermatologist and a skin specialist are interchangeable terms. A dermatologist is just a more formal and scientific term.
What are the Responsibilities of a Dermatologist?
A dermatologist treats people of every age, from newborns to adults, to older people. Aesthetically speaking, dermatologists care for a range of different skin conditions. I am mentioning some of them here to give you an idea:
- Diagnose skin problems from mild ones (a rash) to severe (skin cancers)
- Evaluate skin conditions by screening for diseases, and from detailed patient history
- Perform non-invasive skin surgeries
- Prescribe medications for the treatment of skin conditions
- Treat a baby’s birthmark so close to the eye that can affect the eyesight
- Catch and treat a melanoma at its earliest stages
- Offer relief from eczema which makes it hard for a student to sleep and study properly
- Diagnose an underlying life-threatening condition from just an unstoppable itching
- Treat hair loss of a young girl to boost the confidence
This job description does make it feel like a worthwhile job, isn’t it?
What Types of Procedures Dermatologists Usually Perform?
Typical practices include:
Electrosurgery
The surgical application of a high-frequency electric current to cut or obliterate tissue.
Cryosurgery
In cryosurgery, tissue is frozen and destroyed during surgery at extremely low temperatures.
Laser surgery
Laser surgery makes use of specialized laser beams during surgery.
Excision surgery
Excision surgery involves excising (removing by cutting) tissue with the proper closures using a sharp knife (scalpel).
Mohs surgery
Mohs surgery is a surgical method that includes removing cancer cells from your skin layer by layer.
Mole Removal
The partial or complete removal of a mole from your body is referred to as mole removal. They examine the mole for signs of cancer or other skin conditions.
Vein Treatment
Dermatologists may use sclerotherapy or laser therapy to treat your deteriorated veins after analyzing them.
How to Become a Dermatologist in Pakistan?
Becoming a doctor is every little child’s dream in Pakistan. Whether it is due to personal ambition or a parent’s wish, you will find most young people aspiring to become a doctor. There is no doubt that MBBS is a noble profession. You get opportunities throughout your life to take away people’s pain and suffering.
To become a skin specialist in Pakistan, you need to have a thorough plan.
Let me break down the phases for you:
Opt Biology in Matric
If you are doing Matric or O’Levels, opt for biology. Studying biology will help you gain a basic knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and the processes running in our bodies. The students who study arts, commerce, or psychology in matric are not permitted to go for MBBS later.
It is also crucial that you get at least 90% marks in matric, to get selected for medical college.
Do Your F.Sc Pre-Medical
After matric, you are required to do your intermediate. It has to be pre-medical, whether you are doing FSc or A Levels.
This is the second stepping stone in your goal to become a doctor. So, work hard. You must secure the most marks in this phase.
I would suggest eating walnuts, as they have amazing benefits for your brain. It will help you stay vigilant and focused on your goal with an active and healthy brain.
Prepare for the MDCAT
After the FSc exams, there comes the most important phase when you have to prepare for and appear in MDCAT, the medical and dental colleges entrance exam.
This is an objective paper, where you have to attempt 200 MCQs, from biology, chemistry, physics, and English. The syllabus comes from a selected portion of your FSc books. You can join an academy for better preparation and mock exams, and you can even prepare on your own.
The MDCAT comes during the blazing summers, so it’s better to consume a banana milkshake to stay energetic. This healthy snack will keep your spirits high and your body healthy.
Apply to a Medical College
After MDCAT, you apply for a medical college. If you are lucky, and you have obtained the passing aggregate, you will get selected for a medical college.
The merit is the only game you have to win, So, work hard towards your goal of becoming a doctor.
Study MBBS for 5 Years
MBBS is a double major in medicine and surgery. It’s a 5 year long course, where you get to study all about human physiology and anatomy in depth. You also go for performing operations on cadavers to learn the surgery.
If you can’t secure a place in a government medical college and if you can pay heavy fees, you can get into a private medical college. Either way, it’s a long way of working hard, but completely worthwhile.
Specialize in Dermatology
After completing the MBBS and a house job, if you wish to specialize in dermatology, you go to the College of Physicians and Surgeons Fellowship (FCPS).
Dermatology Courses in Pakistan
What are the dermatology courses that you can opt for? Here’s a list of them:
- Clinical Dermatology
- Clinical Clerkship
- Advanced Dermatology Clerkship
- Phototherapy and Psoriasis
- Advanced Dermatology Subspecialty Clerkship
- Research in Dermatology
- MCPS in dermatology
- MRCP in dermatology
How to Become a Dermatologist without MBBS in Pakistan?
You may be wondering about how to become a dermatologist without MBBS.
Well, the good news is, you can do that.
The alternative to MBBS is a BS in dermatology. It’s a 4 years bachelor’s degree equivalent to 16 years of education. After BS, you can even go for an MS degree in dermatology.
Scope of BS Dermatology in Pakistan
After getting a degree in BS/MS dermatology and completing the requisite training, you can work in:
- Pharmaceutical firms
- Research departments
- Public and private hospitals
- Medical labs
- As a lecturer in medical/paramedical institutes
Specialties within Dermatology
After MBBS, house job, and FCPS, you can continue your medical training in dermatology. You can go for:
- Dermatopathology
- Mohs surgery
- Pediatric Dermatology
Dermatopathologist
A dermatopathologist is a doctor who specializes in both dermatology and pathology.
When your dermatologist sees an issue of concern, they may perform a biopsy. They do so by removing a piece of skin and sending it to a dermatopathologist to confirm their suspected diagnosis.
For some conditions, like skin cancer, an examination by a dermatopathologist is the only way to be certain of the diagnosis and its severity.
Mohs Surgeon
A Mohs surgeon is a dermatologist who performs a special technique called Mohs surgery to treat skin cancer. It involves removing thin pieces of skin. These pieces are then examined under a microscope.
This ensures the dermatologist that he/she is removing all cancer cells.
Pediatric Dermatologist
A pediatric dermatologist specializes in treating children, including newborns, infants, and toddlers. If your child has a condition that affects the skin, hair, or nails, you may consider treatment from a pediatric dermatologist.
They help with severe problems that can happen to a child e.g. a challenging birthmark or a rare condition.
Takeaway!
I hope this article was helpful to you. Now, you know all about what dermatology is, what a dermatologist does, and how you can become a dermatologist in Pakistan. If you still have some more questions, you can comment below and we will get back to you.
For all your skin-related problems and queries, consult a well-known dermatologist in Islamabad. You can book an appointment via Healthwire.pk or you can call (042) 32500989.
