Required Skillset for Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)

Homoeopathy doctors require a unique set of skills to best serve their patients; some of which are inherent, and others that can be learned. Everyday duties will necessitate distinct skills, and by perfecting and refining these skills they can make themselves more competitive and their work will be much more attainable and enjoyable. The vital skills necessary for pursuing BHMS are as mentioned below

• Interest in promoting natural health and being proficient in homoeopathic remedies
• Ability to explain complex ideas easily, and using logic/reasoning to identify the strengths/weaknesses of alternative solutions
• Ability to prioritise work and manage workload including the ability to work under pressure
• Building and developing excellent relationships with patients
• Emotional resilience and initiative and willingness to work in a pressured environment and challenging/stressful situations
• Enthusiastically looking for ways to help others and a compassionate/caring approach to other people's feelings
• Giving full attention to what others are conveying, taking time in understanding the points stated, asking queries as apt, and avoiding untimely interruption
• Strong verbal and listening skills, an open mind and willingness to learn
• The ability to work efficiently as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team

Course Duration and Admission Criteria for Pursuing Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)

BHMS is an undergraduate academic degree course that covers medical knowledge of the homoeopathic system. The duration of the course is 5.5 years which includes 4.5 years of study followed by 1 year of internship. Each student must undergo a compulsory rotating internship of one year, after passing the final BHMS examination.  Thereafter only, the student shall be eligible for the award of the degree of BHMS by the respective college/university/institute.

Admission to BHMS course is done through the entrance exam. Candidates need to go through different entrance exams conducted at the state-level and national level. Some of the entrance exams conducted for admissions to BHMS are:

•   National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET)
•   Bharati Vidyapeeth Common Entrance Test (BVP CET)
•   Engineering, Agricultural, and Medical Common Entrance Test (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) (EAMCET)
•   Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET)
•   Kerala Engineering, Agriculture and Medical (KEAM) and
•   Punjab University Common Entrance Test (PUCET)

Candidates are selected based on the marks obtained in the 12^th final exam and the respective entrance exam, which is followed by a round of personal interview and group discussion. With this, the abilities and skills of candidates are judged and they are shortlisted. Candidates who are shortlisted can appear for further counselling rounds.

Course Curriculum for Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)

BHMS course comprises theoretical and practical knowledge of the homoeopathic medication system. The course curriculum cover topics such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Community Medicine, among others. The course includes a compendium of pre-clinical and clinical subjects. 

The academic program of BHMS is divided into four parts. The first part is 1.5 years long, and the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th parts are a year-long each. Adequate prominence is given to the theoretical part of learning along with hands-on practical sessions. While the crux of the syllabus is followed in most colleges/institutes/universities across the country, minor deviations from the regulated curriculum are observed in a few colleges/institutes/universities.