MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery at National Medical College, Birgunj

The MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery program at National Medical College, Birgunj is a postgraduate surgical course affiliated with Tribhuvan University. The program has an approved intake of 6 seats at the college and follows the MECEE-PG entrance framework. It is offered within a single-campus medical college environment in Birgunj, Parsa, where academic departments, a teaching hospital, a central library, hostels, and student support facilities are part of one institutional setting.

National Medical College was established in 2001 and is affiliated with Tribhuvan University. The college is recognized by the Nepal Medical Council, Nepal Nursing Council, and Nepal Professional Health Council. For postgraduate surgical students, the campus supports academic study in a broader health science environment connected to hospital services, library resources, and residential facilities. Within this setting, MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery is part of the college’s postgraduate surgical structure.

Quick Highlights

• Course: MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

• Institution: National Medical College

• Location: Birgunj, Parsa, Nepal

• Affiliation: Tribhuvan University

• Level: Masters

• Seat Capacity: 6

• Entrance Exam: MECEE-PG

• Regulatory Recognition: Nepal Medical Council

• Email: info@nmcbir.edu.np

• Phone: +977-51-591014, +977-591320

• Address: Post Box No. 78, Birgunj, Parsa, Nepal

Course Overview

MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery is a postgraduate surgical program designed to prepare specialist doctors in the field of orthopaedics and trauma care. The course is intended to develop the knowledge, clinical judgment, operative skill, and professional attitude required for safe management of a wide range of orthopaedic and trauma conditions.

At National Medical College, the program is offered within a wider health science institution that supports undergraduate and postgraduate education in medicine and allied fields. This broader academic setting gives postgraduate students access to hospital-linked learning, academic departments, library facilities, and campus support services in one institution.

The program is structured around specialist development in diagnosis, emergency care, operative management, research, teaching, and supervised clinical progression. It is intended for doctors who want advanced training in orthopaedic and trauma surgery within a full-time academic and clinical environment.

Academic Nature of the Program

The available course framework presents the program as full-time residential training. The learning model emphasizes regular clinical duty, supervised surgical development, academic participation, and research-related work. Private practice is not permitted during the period of training, and regular attendance is a core requirement of the program.

Residents are expected to take responsibility in outpatient and inpatient care, assist and gradually progress in operative work, and participate actively in departmental academic activities. This makes the course clinically intensive while remaining strongly connected to structured academic learning.

Program Goal

The goal of the program is to train higher specialist doctors in orthopaedic and trauma surgery with sufficient knowledge, skill, and professional attitude for the management and prevention of orthopaedic and trauma-related disease and injury. The academic structure also supports understanding of relevant basic sciences, pathology, and allied subjects required for specialist surgical practice.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, the specialist is expected to be able to:

• demonstrate broad understanding of the fundamental principles of orthopaedic and trauma surgery

• develop adequate knowledge of relevant basic sciences and para-clinical subjects

• diagnose common clinical problems in orthopaedic and trauma surgery

• carry out pre-operative work-up and post-operative management in elective and emergency cases

• perform resuscitation and related emergency procedures for orthopaedic and trauma patients

• provide first-line surgical intervention in orthopaedic and trauma conditions

• perform a range of surgical procedures independently

• contribute to training of undergraduate students and mid-level health workers

• carry out research activities related to orthopaedic and trauma surgery

These objectives reflect both the clinical and broader professional responsibilities expected from postgraduate surgical training in the specialty.

Professional and Academic Development

The course is designed not only to prepare surgeons for operative work, but also to support growth in clinical reasoning, research involvement, academic participation, and teaching responsibility. The structure of the program indicates a balance between surgical training and scholarly development.

The learning process encourages self-directed study, active participation in unit and departmental responsibilities, and gradual movement from supervised assistance to higher levels of operative involvement. This helps create a structured pathway for specialist development in orthopaedic and trauma surgery.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• MBBS or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Nepal

• Registration with the Nepal Medical Council

• Registration with the respective medical council of the applicant’s own country in the case of foreign candidates

• One year of experience, except where excluded under the stated rules

• At least 50 percent marks in the entrance examination conducted by the Medical Education Commission for eligibility to be placed on the merit list

Entrance and Admission

Entrance Exam: MECEE-PG

Admission to the MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery program follows the common entrance system under MECEE-PG. Nepalese and foreign applicants are required to appear in the common entrance examination. Merit lists for Nepalese and foreign students are published separately, and admission is made on a merit basis in open house counseling where applicable.

Candidates must secure at least 50 percent marks in the entrance examination to qualify for admission consideration.

Entrance Examination Format

The entrance examination follows a multiple-choice format with single best response questions. The stated structure includes:

• Question Type: Single best response multiple-choice questions

• Options: Four options

• Number of Questions: 200

• Full Marks: 200

• Duration: 3 hours

• Cognitive Distribution: Recall, understanding, and application in a 30:50:20 ratio

This format covers clinical subjects, basic medical sciences, community medicine, research methodology, forensic medicine, and mandatory professional topics.

Subject Weightage

The entrance examination includes the following subject areas and marks distribution:

Clinical Subjects

• Medicine: 18

• Surgery: 18

• Obstetrics and Gynecology: 12

• Pediatrics: 12

• Orthopedics: 10

• Otorhinolaryngology: 10

• Ophthalmology: 7

• Anaesthesiology: 7

• Psychiatry: 7

• Radiology: 7

• Dermatology: 7

Basic Medical Sciences

• Anatomy: 12

• Physiology: 12

• Pathology: 10

• Pharmacology: 10

• Biochemistry: 8

• Microbiology: 8

Other Areas

• Community Medicine and Research Methodology: 10

• Forensic Medicine: 5

• Questions related to mandatory CPD: 10

The mandatory CPD-related area includes medical ethics, rational use of drugs, infection prevention, BLS or ACLS, and communication skills.

Evaluation and Examination Structure

The course includes two broad assessment components: internal assessment and final examination.

Internal Assessment

Internal assessment is based on log-book work, day-to-day activities, participation, performance, and OSCE. The log-book is regularly reviewed and signed by the preceptor or tutor. After each rotation, the designated teacher evaluates the candidate’s knowledge and performance. If performance is not satisfactory, the posting is repeated.

Internal assessment carries a weight of 20 percent of the theory mark.

Final Examination

The final examination consists of three parts:

• Part I: Basic Science

• Part II: Thesis Writing

• Part III: Final Examination

Part I includes theory and oral or practical assessment in foundational subjects. It is conducted at the end of the first stage of training, and a maximum of three attempts is allowed. Candidates who do not pass within the permitted attempts are removed from the course.

Part II is based on thesis work. The thesis topic is selected and approved during the course, and the candidate is not permitted to sit for the final examination without acceptance of the thesis.

Part III includes final theory and clinical examination. The stated structure includes theory on principles of orthopaedic and trauma surgery and surgical pathology with management-related components, along with long cases, short cases, practical assessment through OSCE, and viva.

The degree of Master of Surgery in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery is awarded after successful completion of the required examination process.

Method of Training

The training approach is centered on full-time clinical and academic engagement. Postgraduate residents are expected to function as active learners within the department rather than passive observers. The learning structure includes responsibility in outpatient and inpatient care, regular participation in surgery, and academic work under supervision.

The program encourages self-directed learning, while teachers and preceptors act as guides throughout the training process. Residents are expected to take primary responsibility for investigations and pre-operative and post-operative care. They regularly assist in major operations and gradually progress from minor to more advanced procedures under supervision.

Academic activities in the course include demonstrations and guidance in basic sciences, topic presentation, journal club, group discussion, bedside clinical teaching, clinico-pathological conference, radiological demonstration, and daily case presentation. These components support a strong connection between theory, surgical judgment, and daily clinical work.

Research and Thesis

Research is an important part of the program. The academic structure includes thesis planning, thesis approval, and submission as part of postgraduate progression. The thesis is examined by both internal and external examiners, and successful acceptance is required before the final examination stage.

This research component supports analytical thinking, academic writing, and professional development beyond operative training alone.

Learning Environment at National Medical College

National Medical College provides a single-campus setting of about 40 acres where major academic and support facilities are located together. The campus includes pre-clinical departments, clinical departments, a teaching hospital, a nursing school, hostels, staff quarters, and a central library.

For MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery students, this environment supports academic work within a broader health science institution. The central library is housed in a separate double-storied building and has seating capacity for 250 readers. Its collection includes textbooks, reference books, print and electronic journals, WHO publications, research reports, theses, Nepalese health literature, Ministry of Health publications, and related academic materials. HINARI journal access is also available, along with photocopy and audiovisual learning support.

Hostel accommodation is available within the campus setting. Internet access is available through Fiber Optic LAN and WiFi in hostels and residential quarters. The campus also includes canteens, sports facilities, an auditorium, a gymnasium, an aerobic exercise hall, and banking services including ATM support.

Why the Course Setting Matters

The MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery program at National Medical College benefits from being located within an established medical college environment. The presence of academic departments, a teaching hospital, library resources, and student facilities within one campus supports the wider academic context of postgraduate surgical education.

The location in Birgunj places the college within a major urban and commercial center near the Indo-Nepal border. Within the institution, the academic setting is organized around health science education, clinical service, and professional training. This supports a learning environment relevant to specialist surgical study in orthopaedics and trauma care.

Contact

National Medical College
Post Box No. 78, Birgunj, Parsa, Nepal
Email: info@nmcbir.edu.np
Phone: +977-51-591014, +977-591320

FAQ

What is the level of the MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery course at National Medical College?

The program is a master’s-level postgraduate surgical course.

Which university is the program affiliated with?

The program is affiliated with Tribhuvan University.

How many seats are available in MS in Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery at National Medical College?

The approved seat capacity at the college is 6.

Which entrance exam is required for admission?

Admission follows the MECEE-PG entrance examination framework.

What is the basic eligibility for the program?

Applicants need MBBS or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Government of Nepal, registration with the Nepal Medical Council, one year of experience where applicable, and the required entrance score. Foreign candidates must also be registered with the respective medical council of their own country.

What does the course focus on?

The program focuses on diagnosis, operative management, emergency care, post-operative management, research, and teaching in orthopaedic and trauma surgery.

Does the course include thesis work?

Yes. Thesis approval and acceptance are part of the examination structure, and the candidate cannot proceed to the final examination without it.

What facilities support students in this program at National Medical College?

Students have access to academic departments, the teaching hospital environment, the central library, hostels, internet services, canteens, sports facilities, auditorium, and banking support within one campus.