The state‘s medical colleges are facing a significant challenge in establishing emergency medicine departments, with a shortage of qualified assistant professors. In April 2025, the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) had advertised 74 positions for the recruitment of assistant professors in the department. Despite extending the application deadline, only two doctors applied for the positions, prompting BPSC to release a new advertisement on June 19, 2025, to attract more candidates for the roles.

Emergency Medicine Department: A Necessary but Unfulfilled Requirement in Bihar

Three years ago, the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a directive mandating the establishment of emergency medicine departments in all medical colleges across India. However, Bihar’s medical colleges have struggled to comply with this directive due to a lack of qualified personnel. The study and training in emergency medicine are not offered in the state, and only a few medical colleges across the country have specialized courses in this field.

In response to this gap, the state health department took a significant step in 2023 to address the shortage by appointing 45 senior residents from specialties like orthopedics, general medicine, and surgery to serve in emergency medicine departments. These senior residents were appointed to help in the establishment of these crucial departments in the state’s medical colleges. However, the situation has not improved significantly, and the recruitment for assistant professors continues to be a roadblock.

BPSC’s Efforts to Fill Assistant Professor Positions in Emergency Medicine

The initial advertisement released by BPSC for the recruitment of assistant professors in emergency medicine stipulated that candidates must have completed a three-year senior residency in the field. This condition was put in place to ensure that only experienced professionals were appointed to lead the emergency medicine departments.

However, the challenge has been that most senior residents currently working in emergency medicine in the state have only completed two years of their senior residency. As a result, they do not meet the essential eligibility criteria outlined in the advertisement. This mismatch between the existing qualifications and the requirements set by the BPSC has created a bottleneck in the recruitment process.

The lack of interest in the positions can also be attributed to the relatively nascent nature of emergency medicine training in Bihar, which has not yet gained the prominence it has in other states. Additionally, many doctors may find it challenging to move into a new specialty where the opportunities and career paths are still being established.

Health Department’s Move to Establish Emergency Medicine in State Medical Colleges

Recognizing the need to meet NMC’s directive, the Bihar Health Department took steps in 2023 to establish the emergency medicine department in state medical colleges. It appointed senior residents in specialties like orthopedics, medicine, and surgery to serve in the emergency medicine department as an interim measure. This move was necessary to maintain the accreditation of these medical colleges and ensure that the colleges met the standards set by the NMC.

Despite these efforts, the state continues to face difficulties in building a fully-fledged emergency medicine department with adequately trained faculty. While the state has successfully appointed senior residents, the appointment of experienced assistant professors to oversee the department remains a significant challenge.

Why Are Assistant Professors in Emergency Medicine Hard to Find?

The shortage of assistant professors in emergency medicine is primarily due to two factors: the lack of specialized training programs in emergency medicine within the state and the specific qualification requirements set by the BPSC. Emergency medicine is a relatively new specialty in India, and only a few medical colleges across the country offer dedicated courses in this field.

In Bihar, medical colleges do not have formal programs for emergency medicine, which makes it difficult for local doctors to specialize in this field. As a result, the pool of qualified professionals who can apply for the assistant professor positions is limited. Additionally, the requirement of a three-year senior residency in emergency medicine as per the BPSC advertisement excludes many potential candidates who have completed less than the stipulated time in their current residencies.

Furthermore, emergency medicine requires a specific skill set that may not align directly with the training provided in other specialties such as orthopedics, general surgery, or internal medicine. Many doctors in these fields are working in emergency medicine on an interim basis, but they are not necessarily trained to teach or lead the department.

The Impact on Bihar’s Medical Education System

The delay in establishing fully operational emergency medicine departments in Bihar’s medical colleges has significant implications for medical education and healthcare delivery in the state. Emergency medicine is a critical area of healthcare that requires specialized training, both for doctors and for the medical institutions that are responsible for providing emergency care to the public.

Without qualified assistant professors and instructors to guide medical students, the state’s medical colleges will continue to struggle in fulfilling the NMC’s requirement. Additionally, students who are aspiring to specialize in emergency medicine will find it difficult to receive the proper education and hands-on training in the absence of experienced faculty.

The shortage of qualified professors also means that emergency departments in medical colleges will face a lack of leadership, which could compromise the quality of training for medical students. This issue is particularly concerning because emergency medicine is a crucial aspect of modern healthcare, and medical institutions must prioritize training in this field to ensure that the next generation of doctors is well-prepared for the challenges of providing emergency care.

Steps to Address the Issue

To address the shortage of assistant professors in emergency medicine, the state health department and BPSC must consider several measures:

1. Developing Specialized Training Programs: Bihar’s medical colleges should consider introducing formal training programs in emergency medicine to provide local doctors with the necessary qualifications and skills to teach and lead in this field. This could involve partnerships with other medical institutions that offer specialized courses.

2. Relaxing Eligibility Criteria: The BPSC could review its eligibility requirements for assistant professor positions, considering the shortage of qualified candidates. Relaxing the residency requirement or allowing doctors with relevant experience in related fields may help attract more applicants.

3. Incentives for Emergency Medicine Specialists: To make the field more attractive, the state could offer incentives such as financial benefits, career growth opportunities, and professional development programs to attract qualified professionals into emergency medicine.

4. Increasing Public Awareness: Educating both medical professionals and the public about the importance of emergency medicine and its impact on healthcare can help create a demand for this specialty in the state, encouraging more doctors to pursue it.

The establishment of emergency medicine departments in Bihar’s medical colleges is a critical step toward improving the state’s healthcare infrastructure and meeting the NMC’s standards. However, the shortage of qualified assistant professors remains a significant challenge. To address this issue, the state must invest in specialized training programs, review recruitment criteria, and provide incentives to attract more professionals to this important field. By taking these steps, Bihar can ensure that its medical colleges are equipped to deliver high-quality emergency care education and contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare in the state.