Do you need to have a DM(Cardiology) or DM(Endocrinology) to be qualified to label yourself as cardiologist or Diabetologist? Or do you even need an MD(General Medicine)? Let's take a look at it from legal angle. In the books of MCI or any state medical council, there is no definition of who a cardiologist or Diabetologist is. The rules only say that you should not introduce yourself as a specialist in some branch if you do not have a special qualification (preferably MCI recognized) in that branch.
There is no statement that Diabetologist means "specialist" in diabetes, or cardiologist means specialist in cardiology. These '-gist' words are merely English dictionary words which anybody can use. The use of gist word does not convey any special education. So, isn't a MBBS doctor a cardiologist, diabetologist, psychiatrist, gynaecologist, nephrologists, etc. Just that we should not…
