MBBS vs MD
MBBS and MD are two medical degrees between which a number of differences can be identified. First it is important to know that the expansion of MBBS is Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery. On the other hand, the expansion of MD is Doctor of Medicine. The major difference between the two courses is that while MBBS is an undergraduate degree, MD is a Masters or else a Postgraduate degree. This article attempts to provide a basic understanding of these two courses while emphasizing the difference.
What is MBBS?
MBBS is an undergraduate degree by competing which the student becomes eligible to practice as a doctor or a physician. MBBS is considered the basic qualification to go for any post-graduate degree in medicine or higher studies in medicine. While doing the course of MBBS, the student undergoes training in all aspects of understanding medicine.
This includes areas such as Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Applied Medical Biochemistry, Applied Pharmacology, Human Pathology, Human Microbiology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Pediatrics and even General Surgery. Other than these key areas a number of other areas are also covered. This highlights that the student studies all branches of medicine, in general. Hence, it is a general basic degree. MBBS is usually completed in a span of 4 and half years. However, this differs from country to country. In some countries, it can even go on for 5 to 6 years. In most countries, an internship is deemed mandatory for students before awarding them with the degree so that the students have a sufficient amount of practical exposure. It is interesting to know that you can practice as a doctor even after the completion of MBBS degree.
What is MD?
MD is considered a Masters or a post graduate degree. A candidate becomes eligible for MD only after he or she has passed or completed the MBBS degree. In some countries, it is considered even as a professional doctorate for surgeons and physicians. However, this is not the case for all countries. In some other countries, it is considered more as a research degree that allows the individual to be equated to a Ph.D.
In this sense, MD can be considered as the superior degree when comparing with MBBS. MD is more a specialization course of the degree than MBBS. This is because, in MBBS, the medical student gains a general understanding of all fields of medicine. But in MD it is different. He focus is rather limited which allows the student to go deeper and gain a better and superior understanding. On the other hand, MD is a degree wherein the student gets a specialization in a particular branch of medicines such as pediatrics, gynecology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, dentistry and the like. He or she can choose any specialization and will be given training that is more practical in nature. The student gradually becomes a specialist in the branch of medical subject he or she has chosen. MD can be completed in a span of 2 years. Many universities and colleges across the world have made the submission of the dissertation and thesis mandatory for the completion of both the course and degree. This highlights the difference between the two degrees. Now let us sum up the difference in the following manner.
What is the Difference Between MBBS and MD?
• MBBS is Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery whereas the expansion of MD is Doctor of Medicine.
• MBBS is more of a genereal degree whereas MD is a specialized one.
• MBBS is an undergraduate degree whereas MD is a Masters or else a Postgraduate degree.
• MBBS is usually completed in a span of 4 and a half years. On the other hand, MD can be completed in a span of 2 years.
Image Courtesy:
1.”US Navy 100727-A-5573A-359 Lt. Stacy Dodt, a doctor embarked aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19),” by U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Craig Anderson – [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons
2.Thumbnail by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan M. Ilyankoff [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
