Cardiologists oppose ‘fake’ specialists: Protesting against MBBS + PGDCC Diploma holders calling themselves “Cardiologists”
Cardiologists are protesting against MBBS + PGDCC Diploma cardiologists calling themselves ” Cardiologists “
While various bodies like the Indian College of Cardiology, Cardiological Society of Kerala, and Kerala Heart Rhythm Society are vehemently protesting such a scenario. They are also outright stating that this equation of PGDCC = Cardiologist is illegal, unethical, and a violation of the code of conduct of doctors. It would also pose a serious threat to the health and life of unsuspecting patients.
Indian College of Cardiology President -V.V. Radhakrishnan said that a PGDCC degree was not recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI) or the Travancore Cochin Medical Council (TCMC).
Back in 2004, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) were conducting Clinical Cardiology Diploma Course (PGDCC) through their open and distance education programme. However, doctors and autonomous bodies complained and IGNOU wound up the course in 2014 after the Delhi High Court passed a judgement banning the course. The judgement also shamed IGNOU for conducting a long-distance course for a completely hands-on course which needed hours of OT and face to face training and practical skills. Despite this many doctors who had acquired a PGDCC diploma earlier, were continuing to use it even as they violated existing laws.
The PGDCC was just the tip of the iceberg even as many other bogus qualifications like PhD in Cardiology or Dip. Cardiology sprung up and were being openly used by some doctors to practise as Cardiologists. These were mostly doctors who had acquired an MBBS degree from a foreign university in countries like- China, Russia or Ukraine.
On average, an MBBS student puts in 4 years of studies + 1 year in internship. Following this he must put in 6 years of intense study and hands on experience to become a Cardiologist. The main aim of the PGDCC was to help doctors in rural areas idenfity basic cardiac problems in patients and refer them to cardiologists, not treat them on a full time basis! When doctors started doing this, corporate hospitals who are looking at ways to reduce costs started hiring them as full-time cardiologists – instantly throwing ethical practice out of the window and mercilessly putting patients at risk! This is a rampant issue which evident even now, with cardiologists being put on emergency wings in hopsitals.
About three years ago, professional bodies started noticing a severe fall in quality of patient care and management in hospitals in the cardiology based cases. It was also seen that these bogus certificate holders were running entire Cath Labs!
While doctors in Kerala take up this issue with the TCMC and MCI, it is important for cardiologists across India to take a long hard look at this scenario too. This issue may very well not be localized only to Kerala, it could be happening at the hospital you’re practicing at or others in the same locality or city! Time to uphold the standards and ethics that allow only proper degree holders to practice.
