DNB Physiology or Diplomate of
National Board in Physiology also known as DNB in Physiology is a Postgraduate
level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of
their MBBS. The duration of this postgraduate course is 3 years, and it focuses
on the study of various concepts related to the functions of the human body, treatment, and management of various diseases.
The course is a full-time course pursued at various accredited
institutes/hospitals across the country. Some of the top accredited
institutes/hospitals offering this course are Associated Hospital Government Medical College- Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Govt. Medical College-Kangra, Himachal
Pradesh and Sher-I-Kashmir
Institute of Medical Sciences- Srinagar, Jammu and
Kashmir.
Admission to this course is done through the NEET PG Entrance exam
conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counselling based
on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State
Authorities.
The fee for
pursuing DNB (Physiology) from accredited institutes/hospitals is Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs 2,40,000 per
year.
After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the
job market or pursue a super-specialization course where DNB Physiology
is a feeder qualification. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as
Senior residents, Junior Consultants, Consultants etc. with an approximate salary
range of Rs. 15,00,000 to
Rs. 27,00,000 per year.
DNB is
equivalent to MD/MS/DM/MCh degrees awarded respectively in medical and surgical
super specialties. The
list of recognized qualifications awarded by the Board in various broad and
super specialties as approved by the Government of India are included in the
first schedule of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.
The Diplomate
of National Board in broad-specialty qualifications and super specialty
qualifications when granted in a medical institution with the attached hospital
or in a hospital with the strength of five hundred or more beds, by the
National Board of Examinations, shall be equivalent in all respects to the
corresponding postgraduate qualification and the super-specialty qualification
granted under the Act, but in all other cases, senior residency in a medical
college for an additional period of one year shall be required for such
qualification to be equivalent for the purposes of teaching also.
What is DNB in Physiology?
Diplomate of National Board in Physiology, also
known as DNB (Physiology) or DNB in Physiology is a three-year postgraduate programme that
candidates can pursue after completing MBBS.
Physiology is the branch of medical science
dealing with the study of how the human body works. And various concepts related to the functions of the human body, treatment, and management of various diseases.
The National
Board of Examinations (NBE) has released a curriculum for DNB in Physiology.
The curriculum governs the education and training of DNB in Physiology.
PG education intends to create
specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in
science through research and training.
The required training done by a
postgraduate specialist in the field of Physiology
would help the specialist recognize the community’s health needs. The student
should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware
of the recent advances in their speciality.
The candidate should be a highly
competent specialist in Physiology possessing a broad range of skills that will enable her/him
to practice Physiology
independently. The PG candidate should also acquire the basic skills in the
teaching medical/para-medical students.
The candidate is also expected to
know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting
library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops, and CMEs
to upgrade her/ his knowledge.
Course Highlights
Here are some of the course highlights of DNB in Physiology
Name of Course |
DNB in Physiology |
Level |
Postgraduate |
Duration of Course |
Three years |
Course Mode |
Full Time |
Minimum Academic Requirement |
MBBS degree obtained from any |
Admission Process / Entrance Process / |
Entrance Exam (NEET PG) |
Course Fees |
Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs 2,40,000 per year |
Average Salary |
Rs. 15,00,000 to Rs. 27,00,000 per year |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility
criteria for DNB in Physiology are
defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet
in order to be eligible for admission, which includes:
- Candidates must
be in possession of an undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university
recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) now NMC.
- Candidates should have done a compulsory rotating
internship of one year in a teaching institution or other institution which is
recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) now NMC.
- The candidate must have obtained permanent
registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.
- The medical college’s recognition cut-off
dates for the MBBS Degree courses and compulsory rotatory Internship shall be
as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).
- Candidates who have passed the final
examination, leading to the award of a Post Graduate Degree (MD/MS) from an
Indian University, which is duly recognized as per provisions of the National
Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019 and the first schedule of the IMC Act can
apply for the DNB Final examination in the same broad specialty.
Admission Process
The admission process contains a few steps to
be followed in order by the candidates for admission to DNB in Physiology. Candidates can view the complete admission
process for DNB in Physiology
mentioned below:
- The NEET PG or National Eligibility Entrance
Test for Post Graduate is a national-level master’s level examination conducted
by the NBE for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma Courses. - The
requirement of eligibility criteria for participation in counselling towards PG
seat allotment conducted by the concerned counselling authority shall be in
lieu of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations (as per the latest
amendment) notified by the MCI (now NMC) with prior approval of MoHFW.
S.No. |
Category |
Eligibility Criteria |
1. |
General |
50th Percentile |
2. |
SC/ST/OBC (Including PWD of SC/ST/OBC) |
40th Percentile |
3. |
UR PWD |
45th Percentile |
Fees Structure
The fee structure for DNB in Physiology varies from
accredited institute/hospital to hospital. The fee is generally less for
Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DNB in Physiology is Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs
2,40,000 per year.
Colleges offering DNB in Physiology
Various accredited
institutes/hospitals across India offer courses for pursuing DNB (Physiology).
As per the National Board of
Examinations website, the following accredited institutes/hospitals are
offering DNB (Physiology) courses
for the academic year 2022-23.
Hospital/Institute |
Specialty |
No. of |
Associated |
Physiology |
2 |
Dr. Rajendra |
Physiology |
2 |
Sher-I-Kashmir |
Physiology |
2 |
Syllabus
A DNB
in Physiology is a three years specialization course that provides
training in the stream of Physiology.
The course
content for DNB in Physiology is given in the NBE Curriculum released by the National Board of
Examinations, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:
1. Primary (Part-I)
Paper I be titled as “General Physiology including history of Physiology”
Final (Part II) Paper III “Systemic Physiology (iii) including recent advances.
2. Under the Head of Syllabus (Part I) against Paper I at the end add –”History ofPhysiology”.
3. Against Paper II at the end add “Comparative Physiology”
4. Under the Caption Part II Final: against Paper II add “E titled “Behavioral Physiology with Yoga, Meditation”
5. Practical Training
Animal Experiment
i. Amphibian
• Free load and after load.
• Effect of continuous repeated stimulation (study of phenomena of Fatigue).
• Length of tension diagrams.
• Properties of cardiac muscle – Long refractory period, All or None Law.
• Extrasystole and compensatory pause, Beneficial effect.
• Regulation of Heart, Vagus dissection and effect of vagal stimulation.
• Actions of acetyl chlorine, adrenaline and nicotine on heart.
• Perfusion of isolated frogs heart-role of sodium, potassium, calcium ions.
ii. Mammalian
• General management of Mammalian experiments.
• Recording of Blood pleasure and respiration on dogs and also the effects of various factors.
• Recording of effect of stimulation of vagus nerve on blood pressure and respiration in the dog.
• Stimulation of central and peripheral end of vagus on arterial pressure after vagotomy.
• Effect of drug-adrenaline and acetylcholine on blood pressure and respiration in the dog.
• Intestinal movement and tone.
• Effect of adrenaline on intestinal movement and tone.
• Occlusion of carotid arteries on blood pressure and respiration.
• Stimulation of splanchnic nerve (distal end) on arterial pressure
Human Physiology
i. Clinical Physiology
• Elementary principles of clinical examination.
• Methods of Inspection/Palpation/Percussion/auscultation.
• Plan of conduction and scheme of recording.
• General examination.
ii. Cardiovascular system
• Clinical examination of circulatory system.
• Examination of pulse, blood vessels and measurements of blood pressure.
iii. Respiratory system
• Clinical examination of respiratory system.
iv. Abdominal system
• Clinical examination of Abdomen
v. Central Nervous system
• Clinical examination of the nervous system and its physiological basis.
• Examination of higher mental functions.
• Clinical examinations of the special senses including cranial nerves.
• Tests of Hearing and Deafness.
• Motor functions.
• Reflex functions.
• Sensory functions.
vi. Ophthalmology
• Clinical examination of the eye and papillary reflex.
• Visual acuity.
• Perimetery.
• Accommodation.
• Color vision and color blindness.
• Fundoscopy.
Laboratory Procedures
i. Haematology
• Haemocytometory.
• Determination of reticulocyte count, platelet count WBC count, RBC count, Eosionphill count in normal and diseased state.
• Differential count of WBC.
• Blood grouping and Cross matching.
• Determination of Beeding time and Clotting time.
• Haemolysis and Fragility tests.
ii. Cardiovasuclar system
• Electrocardiography – ECG and its interpretation.
iii. Respiratory system
• Spirometery
• Assessment of ventilator functions.
• Alveolar air, breath holding and endurance tests.
• Recording of lung functions tests by computerized or electronic spirometer.
• Sthethography.
iv. Reproductive system
• Methods to determine ovulation time by Basal body temperature chart,cervical smear and vaginal smear.
• Pregnancy diagnostic tests Immunological test.
• Sperm count.
v. Nerve muscle physiology
• Ergography
• Recording of EMG – nerve conduction both sensory and motor.
vi. Others
• Construction of dietary chart for growing children, hypertensive patients,
Diabetic mellitus patients.
• Test for physical fitness
Lab Harvard step test.
• Bicycle Ergometry
Treadmill protocols leading to determination of vo 2 max.
Cardio respiratory response to whole body exercise.
Clinical Biochemistry
i. Estimation of normal and abnormal constituents of urine.
ii. Estimation of Blood sugar.
iii. Estimation of Serum calcium
iv. Kidney function test.
v. Liver function test.
vi. Gastric function tests (excluding fractional test meal).
vii. Glucose tolerance test
III. RECOMMENDED TEXT BOOKS AND JOURNALS
Under the caption recommending reading the following be added:
1. TEXT BOOKS
• Keele, Samson and Wright’s Applied Physiology.
• Best and Taylor – Physiological basis for medical practice.
• Guyton – Text book of Medical Physiology.
• Ganong – Review of Medical Physiology.
• Cambeell, Clinical Physiology.
• P F Backer – Recent advances in Physiology.
• Vernon – B Mount Castle, Medical Physiology Vol I and II.
• Carl J wiggers – Physiology in Health and Disease.
• Williams Text of Endocrinology.
• West and Todd Text Book of Biochemistry and Physiology.
• Harper’s Biochemistry.
• Duncon – Disease of Metabolism.
• John Field H W Magou – Hand Book of Neuro Physiology.
• Carpenter, Neurophysiology
• Wallance O Fen Handbook of Respiratory Physiology.
• Prosser – Experimental Physiology.
• Prosser – Comparative Animal Physiology, Mannual.
• Wintrobe’s – Clinical Haematology.
• Kelmen – Applied Cardiovascular Physiology.
• Brown, Cell signaling, Biology and Medicine of Signal transudation.
• Byrne – Introduction of Memberane Transport and Bioelectricity.
• Sudarasky – Patho physiology of the nervous system.
2. JOURNALS:
• By American Physiological Society – Journal of Applied Physiology, Physiological Reviews, Annual Review of Physiology, Advances in Physiological Education and Recent advances in Physiology.
• British Publication – Journal of Physiology.
• Association of Physiologist and Pharmacologists of India – Indian Journal of Physiologists.
• Indian Counsil of Medical Research – Indian Journal of Medical Research
Career Options
After completing a DNB in Physiology, candidates will get employment opportunities in
Government as well as in the Private sector.
In the Government sector, candidates have various options to
choose from, including Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor, etc.
While
in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting
Consultant (Physiology), Junior Consultant, Senior
Consultant (Physiology), Consultant Physiology
Specialist, etc.
Courses After DNB in Physiology Course
DNB in Physiology is a
specialization course that can be pursued after finishing MBBS. After pursuing
a specialization in DNB (Physiology),
a candidate could also pursue super specialization courses recognized by NMC,
where DNB (Physiology) is a feeder
qualification.
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) – DNB in Physiology
Course
Question: What is a DNB in Physiology?
Answer: DNB Physiology or Diplomate of National Board in Physiology also known
as DNB in Physiology is
a Postgraduate level course for doctors in India that is done by them after
completion of their MBBS.
Question: Is DNB in Physiology equivalent to MD
in Physiology?
Answer: DNB in Physiology is equivalent to
MD in Physiology, the list of recognized
qualifications awarded by NBE in various broad and super specialties as
approved by the Government of India are included in the first schedule of the
Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.
Question: What is the
duration of a DNB in Physiology?
Answer: DNB in Physiology is a postgraduate programme of three years.
Question: What is the eligibility
of a DNB in Physiology?
Answer: Candidates must be in possession of an
undergraduate MBBS degree from any college/university recognized by the Medical
Council of India (now NMC).
Question: What is the scope of a DNB in Physiology?
Answer: DNB
in Physiology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career
prospects.
Question: What is the average salary for an DNB in Physiology postgraduate
candidate?
Answer: The DNB in Physiology candidate’s
average salary is between Rs. 15,00,000 to Rs. 27,00,000 per year depending on the experience.
Question: Are DNB Physiology and MD Physiology
equivalent for pursuing teaching jobs?
Answer: The Diplomate of National Board in
broad-speciality qualifications and super speciality qualifications when
granted in a medical institution with attached hospital or in a hospital with
the strength of five hundred or more beds, by the National Board of
Examinations, shall be equivalent in all respects to the corresponding
postgraduate qualification and the super-speciality qualification granted under
the Act, but in all other cases, senior residency in a medical college for an
additional period of one year shall be required for such qualification to be
equivalent for the purposes of teaching also.