Docs make a beeline for BPO jobs

HYDERABAD: With the medical BPO industry gaining ground in the city, learn while you earn seems to be the new catch phrase for many doctors. A number of MBBS doctors are joining call centres because of the remunerative package that is being offered to them.
The medical BPO industry specialises in creating medical education database, doctors desk reference guide and note on drug efficacy.Seven doctors have jumped on to the BPO bandwagon of a company which has floated a new project called ''drug note processing''.
A doctor preparing for higher studies after his MBBS degree finds it interesting to create a drug information guide for every disease. "I can prepare for my doctorate in medicine (MD) being at the BPO unit too, the work will help gain knowledge and I am paid for that," said a doctor preferring not to be quoted.
A medical BPO unit in the city undertakes medical services remotely to the clients in the west, particularly for the US and the UK. For instance, for the clients in the US with every drug delivered to their customers, a two-page detailed information sheet will be given, said Harish Rangacharya, managing director of the company. The sheet will contain details about the drug components, its efficacy and in case of any uneasiness whom to contact even at night with a toll free phone number.
The beginners in drug note processing with an MBBS degree are paid Rs 16,000 per month and candidates with experience or with MD qualification will be paid Rs 20,000 per month. Based on the performance, the salary will be hiked, Rangacharya said. At present, the staff strength for the project is 40 and the organisation is looking for 60 more doctors, he said.
At a government college, a tutor is paid Rs 10,000 to begin with and Rs 12,000 for an assistant professor. After 28 years of service, a dean is paid about Rs 26,000 and a medical college principal about Rs 28,000.