What's New

Past events at MIOT

MIOT Academy of Allied Health Sciences – Inaugural Function and Press Meet – 18th August 2010.

MIOT Academy of Allied Health Science
A unit of the MIOT Hospitals
Affiliated to the TN Dr. MGR Medical University

At the time of Independence, the average life expectancy in India was 26.7 yrs. 60 yrs later; the life expectancy has crossed 60 yrs. While this fact reflects the admirable progress made in the healthcare delivery system in India, we are still far behind in equating demand and supply as far as doctors are concerned. Thus in contrast to a doctor being available

for every 40, 000 people in developed countries, we can only boast of one for every 4 lakh population. In this scenario, many new demands have arisen on doctors.

Several lakhs of students appear for the Plus Two examinations in India every year. Many of them are unable to enroll for a graduate course that will provide them with employment at the end of their training programme. Skills- based graduate training programmes are the need of the hour. This strategy will help significantly in removing unemployment in our country.

The advancement in the fields of medical diagnostics and medical therapeutics, is, to say the least, awe inspiring-man can now detect abnormalities in the unborn child and doctors are geared to perform surgery in the unborn. Cardiologists can now remove blocks in coronary arteries and the very valves in the heart. Cardio thoracic surgeons can replace a diseased aorta. The orthopedic surgeon implants a pair of new hips and a pair of new knees to walk upright – and many more- All these require time and energy and the use of sophisticated instrumentation techniques.

With the onset of an incessant knowledge explosion in general, and, in scientific medicine in particular, a great urgent need exists, for medical doctors to rely on and get the help of other health professionals in the use of the various highly sophisticated instrumentation available for an early, prompt and specific diagnosis of disease, to design the different forms of therapy necessary and then to offer a convincing prognosis.

This certainly requires a new breed of para professionals who could receive specific training in the use of these instruments to help assist doctors in various ways – for example an anaesthetist who often has to stick around for hours together, while major surgeries are being performed, could well be assisted by a degree holder with training in anaesthesia alone. When the patient is under anaesthesia the Anaesthetist is called upon to monitor various parameters like – the heart, pulse, blood pressure, central venous pressure, arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, electrolytes, the amount of blood loss during surgery etc., To help him to monitor the various para meters a trained hand in the theatre who is well trained to monitor the various para meters will help to contribute to the safety of the patient under anaesthesia.

Similarly, a cardio thoracic surgeon while concentrating on a coronary artery bypass surgery, need not spend time, isolating veins, for anastomosis: a skilled para professional such as a physician assistant could very well carry out this procedure – the latter could also assist doctors in many ways such as obtaining the history of illness etc., reducing the work load of the Doctor who could concentrate exclusively on actual assessment of patients needs and commence proper therapy without further delay.

To cater to these recent and special needs, para professional courses have been specifically designed by experienced doctors to train youngsters, with a 12th standard qualification – especially youngsters with a clear bent of mind and attitude, to learn newer instrumentation skills to aid doctors and help the ailing sick.

These courses are for a period of 3 yrs. During the first year, basic information regarding the human antomy and physiology, with principles of reaction of tissues and organs in the body to disease, will be imparted as common subjects in the mornings. All afternoon will be devoted to hands-on training in the specific branches opted for by the students. After a suitable examination, a B.Sc degree in the course (named as the Allied Health Science) will be issued by the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR University.

The following are a few examples of such courses

1. B.Sc. Accident and Emergency Care Technology
   The increasing number of traumatic accidents resulting in the various types of fractures of bone and soft tissue injury, require help and care especially during the first 1 to 6 hrs. Fundamental approaches to handle trauma patients and in addition, other emergencies, such as cardiac, neurological etc., also will be taught to help the patient to not only survive but also prevent morbidity and reduce defects.
2. B.Sc. Cardiac Pulmonary Care Technology
   Cardiopulmonary care technology therapy is an allied health specialty concerned and with evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with diseases of the heart and lung leading to diagnosis of disease. It includes specific testing and monitoring of physiological parameters in cardiac and lung function along with the maintenance of and application of life support apparatus, as well as knowledge regarding the therapeutic use of medical gases and administering apparatus, environmental control systems, medications, ventilatory control and breathing exercises, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of natural, artificial and mechanical airways will be taught as a routine.
3. B.Sc. Critical Care Technology
   The common subjects of Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Medicine & Surgery will prepare the students to understand the actual nature of illness following sudden onset of a failure of the heart, lung or kidney to function or even the onset of a stroke. Efficient immediate post operative care, soon after all types of surgeries – bones, heart lung, kidney etc., will be taught and hands on training from day one of the courses will enable students to recognize critical illnesses and offer immediate help as necessary to save life.
4. B.Sc. Operation Theatre & Anaesthesia Technology
   The students will be trained in anaesthesia with the aim of becoming qualified to help the anaesthesiologist. The course entails training of students in both theoretical and practical aspects of operating room technology as well. The students will be trained in the various aspects of patient care, pre-operative preparation, instrumentation, sterilization, operating room concepts, anaesthesia, operating techniques and assistance to surgeons.
   The student will be able to set up requirements for any type of anaesthesia, local, regional or general. They will be able to independently maintain anaesthesia equipment, identify problems and trouble-shoot during the anaesthesia. They will be familiar with handling anaesthetic medications, maintaining the emergency crash cart and cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques. They will be trained by expert personnel in acute cardiopulmonary life support procedures through demonstration. On completion of the course, the student will be able to perform as an operation theatre technologist in all aspects of surgical intervention in patients and be a useful assistant to the anaesthetist.
5. Physician Assistant
   This is a unique programme designed for students who intend to pursue careers in health-related fields. The curriculum prepares students for a wide range of career positions in hospitals, health departments, colleges, research institutions and industry.
   Based on the interdisciplinary nature of health services, the programme will provide a comprehensive foundation in basic, social science and health science application.
   Students will be introduced to a wide spectrum of health issues, including socio-cultural influences on health, management, healthcare systems, legal and ethical concerns, nutrition, genetics, mental health and information technology.
   Special laboratory training will enable the students to take up research in the biomedical field and help in new therapeutic approaches.
   Students will participate in a two-semester internship programme to complete the degree. This will provide the studentswith the flexibility to design an individualized programme comprising project work, with a dissertation based on interest and carrier goals. The project will be guided by a supervisor based on a one-on-one interaction with the students.
6. Radiology Imaging Technology
   The common subjects of basics in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology, Surgery & Medicine taught in the 1st year will prepare the student to understand the nature of disease. The hands on experience in the department of Radiology from day one onwards will enable the student to understand the nature of the illness beginning with routine imaging to CT and MRI scans. The students will receive excellent and exhaustive training in these fields to be able to assist senior radiologists.
   Employment
   A great demand exists for skilled Assistants. These courses will certainly increase employment opportunities to the young Indian graduate, since the need for suitable para professionals trained in the use of the most recent advanced techniques and in the use of the latest sophisticated equipment, is increasing by leaps and bounds. Every single day brings in a newly developed machine to assist diagnosis, help therapy, monitor progress, evaluate prognosis etc.,
   In a country such as India, in the absence of opportunities to train skilled technologists, recent employment opportunities tend to deviate towards the software systems only, giving rise to much unemployment among others. There is therefore an urgent need to start paraprofessional courses to trained skilled health care personnel, which will in turn, address issues of unemployment as well.