Medicine, Health Sciences, and Other Careers
❦
Studying Medicine in Sri Lanka
- The MBBS degree (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) takes five years in Sri Lanka, with a pre-clinical, a para-clinical, and a clinical phase. Subjects include anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, community medicine, pharmacology, forensic medicine, medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and psychiatry (KDU, n.d.).
- After graduation, doctors complete a one-year internship and register with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to practise. Postgraduate training leads to specialist qualifications under the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine.
- Sri Lanka has eleven state medical faculties (Wikipedia, "Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya," n.d.), among them Colombo, Peradeniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, Kelaniya, Jaffna, Ruhuna, Galle, the Eastern University, Rajarata, Sabaragamuwa, and Wayamba, as well as the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), which selects officer cadets with additional criteria. Some, such as Sri Jayewardenepura's Faculty of Medical Sciences, also offer degrees in human biology, nursing, pharmacy, and medical laboratory sciences (USJ, n.d.). Check the UGC handbook for the current list and intake.
- Students who study medicine overseas must pass the SLMC evaluation to practise in Sri Lanka, and private medical education is regulated; check the SLMC's current requirements before enrolling.
Admission Realities
Medicine has a very limited number of places and the highest Z-score cut-offs (StudentLanka, 2022; Induwara.lk, n.d.-c). Many excellent students do not gain a place on their first attempt. Candidates are allowed up to three attempts to meet university admission requirements (Wikipedia, "GCE Advanced Level in Sri Lanka," n.d.). Plan alternatives: dental surgery, veterinary science, pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory sciences, physiotherapy, radiography, biomedical science, agriculture, and the biological sciences, all of which are rewarding careers in health and science. Some programmes require passes (S grades) in particular subjects (Induwara.lk, n.d.-a), so read the UGC handbook carefully.
Other Health and Life Science Careers
| Field | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medicine and surgery | Doctor, surgeon, physician, public health specialist, researcher |
| Dentistry | Dental surgeon, oral surgeon, orthodontist |
| Veterinary science | Veterinarian, livestock officer, wildlife veterinarian |
| Allied health | Nurse, pharmacist, medical laboratory scientist, physiotherapist, radiographer, optometrist, nutritionist |
| Biological sciences | Microbiologist, geneticist, biochemist, ecologist, botanist, zoologist |
| Biotechnology | Biotechnologist, bioinformatician, biomedical engineer, clinical researcher |
| Agriculture and food | Agricultural scientist, agronomist, food technologist, fisheries scientist, extension officer, agri-entrepreneur |
| Environment | Conservation biologist, environmental scientist, forester |
| Public service and education | Health administration, teaching, policy |
Professional Values: An Introduction to Medical Ethics
Health professionals follow four widely cited principles (Beauchamp & Childress, 2019): respect for autonomy (informed choices), beneficence (doing good), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), and justice (fairness). Related values include confidentiality, honesty, compassion, teamwork, and lifelong learning. Qualities to develop now: empathy, good communication, resilience, discipline, and the ability to handle stress.
Building Your Profile
- Volunteer in a health or community setting, and learn first aid.
- Take part in science fairs, biology olympiads, and school societies.
- Read widely, including health and science news from reliable sources.
- Look after your own physical and mental health.
- Seek advice from doctors, teachers, and counselors.
CHAPTER 25