Regenerative aesthetic medicine is an emerging area
Becoming a reputed doctor is the prime goal of every medical aspirant. Earlier, with a countable number of specializations and branches in medical science, the medical students had a handful of options to set their career path on. However, the advancements and invasion of IT in medicine has opened numerous roles and specializations for the medical students. One of them is regenerative aesthetic medicine.
Over the past decade, aesthetic medicine has gained an individual status separated from skin medicine or dermatology. Offering career opportunities not just to doctors and aesthetic physicians but also to non-medicine trained staff, aesthetic medicine has evolved as a new way of practicing aesthetics. Students with degree like MBBS and above, BDS, BAMS, MTech, PhD, MSc can apply for the course. The course modules includes orthobiologics, aesthetics for face, PRP therapy, bone marrow stem cells , adipose derived stem cells and metabolic medicine.
Often touted as a magic bullet for various clinical applications, stem cell therapy also known as regenerative medicines is medically defined as the capability of renewing tissue for the lifetime of an organism. In fact, it has emerged as the latest method to help the body repair and regenerate aging cells, tissues, and organs. As a result, it not only aids recreating youth by improving or rehashing the appearance but also helps in repairing, dysfunctional or injured tissues using stem cell therapy.
Hence, the technology is viewed as an effective treatment for conditions such as neurological conditions, orthopedics, chronic kidney diseases, COPD and other lung diseases, liver diseases, cardiology, autoimmune disorders, ophthalmolic diseases, infertility and cosmetic Procedures. Also, it has been identified as a potential treatment for ailments like Type 1 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease and a variety of cancerous conditions.
DEMAND FOR REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
According to the industry reports, the stem cell therapy market in India was valued at Rs. 1 billion in 2013. Although in its nascent stages, the market is estimated to reach Rs 2 billion in 2018, owing to the growing number of stem cell banks and stem cell depositors. While there are several contributing factors that are playing a significant role in the development and popularity of the stem cell therapy, liberalisation of stem cell research and government support have emerged as the strong driving forces behind the impending success of the field.
As of now, India has established itself as a major player in the biotechnology across the Asia Pacific region, sharing space with giants like Japan and South Korea. Bangalore, in particular, is a major hub in work related to stem cells. Experts also estimate India to be investing more than Rs 1000 crore in stem cell research. Hence, with the rise in popularity, the need of the hour demands guided quality, skill and trained manpower in regenerative aesthetic medicine. Although there are institutes that offer courses in biotechnology, there is a lack of institutions offering concentrated training and education on stem cell therapy.
LUCRATIVE CAREER OPTIONS
In recent times, regenerative medicine is among the latest and inclining branches of translational pharmaceutical. There are numerous advantages and benefits of regenerative medicine ranging from chronic diseases like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, progressive neurological conditions, autoimmune diseases, trauma and others. However, one of the major factors contributing to the growth of the branch is the rapidly rising aging populations. As a result of the demographic shift, researchers have identified an increase in the number of aged people spending on therapeutics and medicinal services.
Considering the aforementioned factors, it can be observed that regenerative aesthetic medicine as a career option offers umpteen numbers of opportunities. Since regenerative medicines has been identified as a potential technology to cure conditions such as heart diseases, cancers, diabetes and many others, medical students pursuing courses in regenerative aesthetic medicines can opt for mainstream specialization such as in cardiology or neurology, however, having an additional edge of the training and skills of using the ‘in-demand’ technology to offer their patients more refined and effective treatment.
Additionally, doctors and medical students graduating in dermatology can enhance their dermato-surgical skills with knowledge and training of regenerative medicines. Although cosmetology and aesthetics are thriving as a high income generating career option, students with additional knowledge of regenerative aesthetic medicine can also work in consonance with a multi-disciplinary team to help victims of burn and accidents. Apart from these, students and aspirants can also choose careers in high rewarding roles in quality, research and development, production, clinical research, supply chain and human resources, finance and administrative functions.