Community medicine is a study of diseases and health in the population of defined groups or communities with a view to identify their health needs and to evaluate, implement and plan health programs to effectively meet these requirements. The main aim of this branch of medicine is protection and promotion of public health.

This diploma course is being offered by some medical colleges in India with approval from the Medical Council of India and the list of government colleges offering this course is given below:

• Government Medical College, Surat

• Government Medical College, Bhavnagar

Intake capacity:

The medical council of India has approved by the Government Medical College in Bhavnagar, which is affiliated to Bhavnagar University to admit two students per year for the PG diploma in Community medicine course. On the other hand, the Government Medical College, Surat, which is affiliated to the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University is approved with an intake capacity of three students per year for the Diploma in Community Medicine course.

Difference between community medicine and other branches of medicine:

Community medicine is a branch of medicine that reaches out to people to offer services for prevention of diseases by following methods like health screening, pre-natal care, immunization, etc… This field of medicine also ensures promotion of health through tobacco control policy, vector control measures, sanitation, safe water supply, etc… The branch also offers primary medical care like treatment of general diseases like hypertension, malaria, leprosy, TB, pneumonia, diarrhea, etc… On the other hand, the other branches of medicine largely offer treatment and diagnostic services to patients, who seek treatment. India is a country, where community medicine is equal to what is called as public health in other nations.

Higher studies after completion of Diploma in Community Medicine:

Actually, diploma in community medicine denotes post graduate diploma course in community medicine and after completion of this course, candidates can go for MD or MS in community medicine, which will further improve their job prospects.

Career options for community medicine specialist:

Candidates after completion of their higher studies in community medicine can find employment opportunities in the following fields:

• Public health officer in central or state health services

• Teaching position in public health schools and medical colleges

• Epidemiologists in health services or in research organizations

• Family physician in health maintenance or health care organizations

• Research officer in pharmaceutical industries or medical research organizations

• Public health project manager in NGOs