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BHMS – Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery

BHMS Full Form: Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery

About BHMS: B.H.M.S. (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery) is a 5½ years bachelor degree under graduation course in homoeopathic medicine in India.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is an alternative health science that treats the patients with small amounts of the homeopathic medicines. The unique feature of homeopathic medicines is that these medicines in larger diseases can cause the same disease in healthy people, but in smaller amounts, these medicines cure the same disease in unhealthy people.

BHMS Course

BHMS course is designed in such a way to help the students learn the homeopathy and can able to practice homeopathic medicines independently.

Minimum qualification/Eligibility

  • The qualification for course is 10+2 Science with minimum of 50 % plus physics, chemistry and biology subjects or equivalent.
  • Minimum age limit is 17 years.

Admission is depends on merit. In some states in India, common entrance test is taken along with M.B.B.S and B.D.S tests and this written test is followed by personal interviews.

People like deaf dumb, having vision defects like blind, color blind are not allow to get admission to this course.

BHMS Syllabus & Subjects

The course consist of period of 5 ½ years including compulsory internship for one year after passing final year examinations.

After completion of internship and with the approval of the Authorized person of homoeopathic college, the university provides the degree certificate to the candidates.

In Short

First Professional

Duration = 1 year

Subjects

  1. Anatomy
  2. Physiology and Biochemistry
  3. Homoeopathic Pharmacy

Second Professional

Duration = 1 year

Subjects

  1. Pathology and Microbiology (including Parasitology Bacteriology and Virology)
  2. Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
  3. Organon of medicine including Principles of Homoeopathic Philosophy
  4. Homoeopathic Materia Medica

Third Professional

Duration = 1 year

Subjects

  1. Surgery including ENT, Ophthalmology and dental and Homoeopathic therapeutics
  2. Obstetrics and Gynecology Infant care and Homoeopathic therapeutics
  3. Homoeopathic Materia medica
  4. Organon of medicine

Fourth Professional

Duration = 1½ year

Subjects

  1. Practice of medicine and Homoeopathic therapeutics
  2. Homoeopathic Materia medica
  3. Organon of medicine
  4. Repertory
  5. Community Medicine/Preventive & Social Medicine

Compulsory Internship

Duration = 1 year

Syllabus & Subjects in B.H.M.S 1st professional (for 1 year)

Anatomy

It includes knowledge of the structure of the human body like head, neck, trunk, arms, hands, legs and feet. It is divided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is study of minute anatomical structures seen by naked eye. Microscopic anatomy is study of minute anatomical structures using microscopes. Microscopic anatomy involves histology, which studies cells, tissues. Dissection (the parts of dead human body are demonstrated) as per as practical approach included in the course. Human body is divided into two methods one is systematic anatomy which is study of individual structures separately and second one is regional anatomy which is study of the parts in relation to other parts adjacent to it. Anatomy also includes study of bones, muscles, joints, arteries, veins, lymph nodes, lymph vessels, nervous system, and different organs.

Physiology and Biochemistry

It includes the study of the biological systems, their organs and functions. Homoeopathy deals with body, life, mind of human. The homeopathic descriptions of physical processes are studied along physiology.

Practical of urine analysis, blood tests etc are included in syllabus. The human body is made up of different tissues and organs having their own particular functions, of which some of them like cardiovascular, nervous system have specialized functions.

Biochemistry is the study of the bio-chemical substances and vital procedures occurring in living beings. It includes the study of Metabolism (anabolism & catabolism) of molecules like proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates & lipids, which are closely connected, with the functions of life.

Homoeopathic Pharmacy

It is the study of methods for identification, collection & processing of medicinal substance from different sources of nature, preparing, preserving them in laboratory, combining and compounding according to the rules and regulations of homoeopathic pharmacopoeia and dispensing them according to the physician’s recommendations.

Syllabus & Subjects in B.H.M.S 2nd professional (for 1 year)

In BHMS second year, students study following subjects and syllabus:

Pathology and Microbiology (including Parasitology Bacteriology and Virology)

It is a science, which deals with the study of disease. Pathology is a subject, which gives us a true identification about the disease and helps us much in correctly assessing the prognosis of case. In case of treatment & management of a case, it also comes to our help. Moreover, the nature & type of extent of pathological change may help as an additional feature of curing a patient.

Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Forensic or legal medicine deals with application of medical knowledge to aid in the administration of justice. The knowledge of forensic science and toxicology is necessary for the solution of legal problems.

Some examples are applying by the medical knowledge in deciding cases of injuries, infant deaths, poisoning etc. In short, it deals with medical aspects of law. Medical jurisprudence deals with legal responsibility of physician with particular reference to those arising from physician – patient relationship, such as medical negligence cases, consent rights & duties of doctors, serious professional misconduct, medical ethics etc. In short, it deals with legal aspects of practice of medicine. Toxicology is a science dealing with properties, action, toxicity, fetal dose & treatment of poisons. Forensic toxicology deals with medical aspect of harmful effects of chemicals on human beings.

Organon of medicine including Principles of Homoeopathic Philosophy and Psychology

It includes principles of homoeopathy through aphorisms (brief statement of principles) given by Dr. Hahnemann. These principles help the physician to apply it into the daily practice. To study any diseased condition, it is important to study psychology and detail study of Organon Philosophy. Homeopathy deals with both mind and body of human beings.

The detailed case taking and practical case taking are included so that students can see the cases live and practically they can understand disease.

Clinical/Practical/tutorial/seminar is also included with theoretical lectures and practical training.

Homoeopathic Materia Medica

It includes medicines of 1st year along with 2nd year medicines. Clinical / Practical / tutorial & seminar are also included with theoretical lectures

Syllabus & Subjects in B.H.M.S 3rd professional (for 1 year)

Students study following subjects in third professional:

Surgery including ENT, Ophthalmology and dental and Homoeopathic therapeutics

Surgery subject is to guide Homoeopathic physician for diagnose common surgical cases, if required can give homoeopathic medicines in pre-operative as well as post-operative cases. It includes examination of patient with surgical problems, practical instruments and training in minor surgical methods, orthopedic, ophthalmology, Dental cases, newborn surgery.

Clinical/Practical/tutorial/seminar are also includes with theoretical lectures. Homoeopathic medicines used in surgical cases are included in therapeutics.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Infant care and Homoeopathic therapeutics

It includes anatomy and physiology of female genital organs with development of intrauterine pregnancy, antenatal care, abnormal pregnancy, normal labor, abnormal labor, postnatal care, care of newborn, gynecological examination, developmental abnormalities. Clinical/Practical/tutorial/seminar are also includes with theoretical lectures. Homoeopathic medicines used in obstetrics and gynecological cases are included in therapeutics.

Homoeopathic Materia Medica

It is the study of various homoeopathic remedies used for treatment of diseases. Different authors invented different Materia Medica but first Materia Medica was written by Samuel Hahnemann i.e. Materia Medica Pura. Studying Materia Medica means Knowledge of action of drugs, drugs pathogenesis, therapeutic utilities of drugs, comparing drugs.

Clinical/Practical/tutorial/seminar are also included with theoretical lectures.

Organon of medicine

First year, 2nd year course is included in it and philosophy of authors who had done work on homoeopathy other than Dr. Hahnemann is included in syllabus.

Syllabus & Subjects in B.H.M.S 4th professional (for 1½ year)

The following subjects and syllabus is taught in 4th professional of BHMS.

Practice of medicine and Homoeopathic therapeutics

Homoeopathy deals with individual not only sick parts so studying the state of health to the state of illness through all factors in the process is very important. The knowledge of medicine gives detail about the causation, manifestation, prognosis of disease. Clinics as well as bedside clinical training are applied in learning. Homoeopathic medicines used in all system of body are included in therapeutics.

Homoeopathic Materia medica

It includes medicines of 1st and 2nd year, 3rd year and new medicines are also added.

Clinical/Practical/tutorial/seminar are also includes with theoretical lectures.

Organon of medicine

Principles and philosophy illustrated in 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year course is included in it. Practical knowledge of treatment and management of patient is done.

Repertory

It is logically and systematically arranged index to the Homoeopathic Materia Medica. It is link between Materia medica and disease. As patient represent many symptoms repertory helps us to find out correct medicine through patients symptoms.

Community Medicine/Preventive & Social Medicine

The importance of community medicine is to give knowledge about preventive medicine and promote the positive health. The physician should know the national health problems both rural as well as urban areas, social causes of disease and sick, balanced diet and nutritional deficiencies (food and nutrition), personal hygiene he should also take responsibilities of both preventive and social medicine including family welfare. In short, it is the study of Man in his total environment – physical, biological, psychological & socio-economical & deals with man in relation to society & with health in masses. It includes role of homoeopathic principles in preventing disease and promoting health.

Compulsory internship (for 1 year)

After completion of final year students have to do compulsory one year rotating internship to the satisfaction of the principle of the Homoeopathic Medical College then only the person can get Degree of Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (B.H.M.S.) by the University. The college authorities and council can extend the period of internship if unsatisfactory work is noticed.

Courses after BHMS

BHMS degree holders can do following courses after BHMS.

Doctor of Medicine in Homoeopathy (MD Hom.)

BHMS degree holders can join three years duration doctor of medicine courses in following subjects:

  1. Practice of medicine
  2. Pediatrics
  3. Psychiatry
  4. Homoeopathic Pharmacy
  5. Organon of Medicine,
  6. Homoeopathic Philosophy
  7. Materia Medica
  8. Repertory
  9. Master of Science in Psychiatry, Epidemiology and Endocrinology can be done after BHMS
  10. Master in Clinical Research (ICRI – Mumbai)
  11. Master in Hospital Management

Post graduation research course after BHMS

Scope of BHMS

Advantages of homoeopathy are treating the patient directly as a whole not the disease by its name, it do drug proving on human beings not on animals, no side effects, no use of serum and injections, using freshly prepared plants and tinctures, goes to root of problem and gives right medicine, doses are minimum and thus restore health gently. Medicines do not act directly on microorganisms but acts on human system to fight against disease process. Therefore, no microbial resistance develops against drugs. Homoeopathic drugs are not addictive once relief occurs, the patient can easily stop it. The treatment is cost effective than other therapeutic systems.

Career after BHMS

Homoeopathic education provides its service almost in all parts of country. Physicians are giving their service in public and private sector in both rural and urban areas. In public sector jobs are conducted by union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public service Commissions.

Homoeopathy is serving people through government, private and NGOs.

Education in homoeopathy allows the graduates to develop independent public health providers.

Private Clinical practice after BHMS

Registration with registers maintained by the state bodies (State Homoeopathic Board/Councils) and central body (CCH) permits practice of medicine through homoeopathic at all levels primary, secondary, and tertiary health care. Most of the practitioners give medicines from their own clinic which does not required any dispensing licenses. Homoeopathic software that is used by practitioners make homoeopathy easy to maintain record, assist in case taking, recommendations, and follow up.

Government Jobs after BHMS

The basic health care service is provided to general public by homeopathic hospitals and dispensaries set by government. The homoeopathic dispensaries run by Central and State Governments and other bodies including Municipal Councils provide primary health care services.

Jobs in NGOs

Charitable homoeopathic clinics and hospitals provide treatment at no cost or at economic cost to the patients. These non-government organizations, trusts and societies make possible to give service to the poor class citizens in the country.

Clinical research

Clinical research is the study of safety & effectiveness of medicines, devices, diagnostic products & treatment regimens. Once the molecule is identified in lab, it is tested clinically, recorded accordingly & finally approved by the appropriate authority. BHMS doctors are eligible to study clinical research & also appointed as Research Scientist upon successful completion. Clinical research involves pharmaceutical companies, research institutes and networking sites. After BHMS Undergraduate Degree in Clinical Research is done this is 3-4 years of course.

Hospital administration

A Hospital is an integral part of a Social & Medical organization, the function of which is to provide for the population complete healthcare. The Hospital is also a centre for the training of health workers and bio-social research. Hospital administration is mainly divided into 3 services:

  1. Environmental Health Services
  2. Public Health Service
  3. Personal Health Services

Hospital Administration is emerging as specialty in its own right. As an essential part of medical care system, the hospital has to play an active role and planners and administrators need basic information on the problems related to management and administration of hospitals. Main functions of Hospital administrators are planning & design of hospitals, effective approaches to management of resources, patient care management, administrative systems, marketing of health services, financial systems, techniques of cost reduction, control of hospital infection, management of drugs and equipment, evaluation of performance of hospitals and ethical and legal aspects in the light of consumer protection legislation.

Teaching Field

BHMS degree holders after post graduation can serve as Lecturer, Professor or Reader in Government and private Homoeopathic medical colleges. For government colleges the candidate should clear UGC NET.

Homoeopathic medical stores

Homoeopaths are appointed as Homoeo-Pharmacists for sales & counseling with the patients in Homoeopathic pharmacies.

Research institute

MDs (HOM) are appointed as a research associate in Clinical Research of Homeopathic Remedies.

Homeopathy Medical officers

B.H.M.S. doctors are appointed as Medical officers and community medical officers in private and government hospitals and pharmacies.

Why to do BHMS course

  1. Homoeopathic practitioners deserve the opportunity to serve humanity with love, care and compassion by reliving their disease with easy and permanent way.
  2. The aim of each Homoeopathic practitioner demonstrates a broad understanding and competency in health care and maintains a commitment to intellectual development, health and healing practice.
  3. Homoeopathic System of medicines does play an important role in the promotion of health as well as in the prevention and cure of diseases, especially in the poor and developing countries of the world.
  4. There are lots of employment opportunities in Government Hospitals and primary and secondary Health care centers as well as in private sectors after doing B.H.M.S. course.

Why not to do BHMS course

The first thought that comes to a majority of candidates in India is ‘Whether I would be able to earn at least 10,000 Rs per month in a Homeopathic Hospital after doing BHMS?

If the reply is not sure, anyone will think thrice to spend huge course fees of self-financed colleges in India.

Moreover, many candidates take educational loans from banks and even borrow the same privately to compensate the fees and huge demands of the donations from the colleges.

Now a day, many private homeopathic hospitals might pay that amount or even more and in Government hospitals according to the change in novel policy BHMS doctor is recognized as medical officer offered a handsome wage package.

However, the ratio of Homoeopaths emerging every year to the employment opportunities is very low.

Therefore, the Government either should still improve the policy of employments for BHMS or should stop building and approving licenses to the new colleges for doing BHMS.

If any practitioner is good at helping patients homeopathically, patients will come to him, no matter where he is – there are homeopaths who earn several lakhs a month. Some may be earning a few thousands per month.

For working abroad after BHMS

One would probably need to get an additional qualification from the country one hope to work in.

Regulatory Act for BHMS graduates

Private practice, manufacturing medicines, sales of medicines, education are regulated by

  1. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945
  2. The Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973
  3. The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954

Steps taken by Govt. of India for Homoeopathy

The degree course is uniform all over India and the different universities are improving day by day their standards of education. The Government of India has established different Regulatory Bodies:

The Central Council of Homoeopathy

It determines the syllabus, course, and standard of education in homoeopathy. All Homoeopathic institutes situated in India are inspected by CCH to give guide to maintain a uniform standard of homoeopathic education. This Council makes the policies of homoeopathic education and training and all other matters concerning this system. It recommends recognition or withdrawal of medical qualification granted by a university or medical institutions in India to the Central Government. It negotiates with the institutions located outside India for recognition of their medical qualification in Homoeopathy and recommends it to central government.

The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy

(Under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India)

The aim of this Council is to support and initiate research works related to homoeopathy. It is controlled by Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda, yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) which is government body in India i.e. under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This council has taken scientific research, projects, and progress in field of homoeopathy. It also has branches in different state of country and they do research work in consultation with central body. The Central Council also conducts seminars and workshops for new ideas and improvement in field of research & development related to homoeopathy.

The National Institute of Homoeopathy

The National Institute of Homoeopathy was established in December, 1975 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Calcutta. The institute has various faculties/departments, hospitals and also runs homoeopathic teacher’s training course.

The Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory

As the demand of homoeopathy is gradually increasing in its academic aspects, standardization of quality of raw materials used in medicines preparation should be aimed. Now India depends on neither other countries for medicines nor its raw materials to import but in fact, many homoeopathic medicines are exported in other countries from India.

Homoeopathic Pharmacies in India have world class laboratories & manufacturing units starting from extracting raw materials to yielding finished products.

Further Reading

  1. Should I do BAMS or BHMS?
  2. BAMS

FAQs about BHMS

Currently I’m pursuing BHMS in India and I want to work in foreign country. Is BHMS valid in other countries?

You have to registers your certificate in foreign country under their respective laws. Then you can practice homeopathy in outside India and you can run your private clinic.

I passed 12th with 3 attempts. Can I be eligible for BHMS?

There is no such condition in eligibility, but you should have at least 50% marks in physics, chemistry, and biology in aggregation.

Further Readings
Ayurvedic Medicine
Siddha System of Medicine
Unani Medicine (Tibb-E-Unani)

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Dr. Jagdev Singh

Dr. Jagdev Singh is a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Herbalist with B.A.M.S. and M. Sc. in Medicinal Plants. He has a wealth of experience in using Ayurveda to treat patients, including the use of herbal medicine and personalized Ayurvedic diets. His passion for spreading accurate and scientific information about Ayurveda and Medicinal Plants led him to create Ayur Times, a trusted resource for those seeking reliable information on the topic. Through his dedicated work, Dr. Singh has helped thousands of patients find relief and improve their health with Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine.

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4 Comments

  1. I am studying 12th under state board TN Wish to do medicine. If not BHMS. Whether to appear for NEET? and what is the procedure for admission. Also, if do BSC bio chemistry is there any concessions is admissions or exemptions is there from appearing qualifying /entrance exam like NEET.

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