Important Technical Information for Students

 

1. Any student of Indian nationality who has completed the M.D / D.N.B / DCh course in Pediatrics from a Medical Council of India or State Medical Council recognized University in India is eligible for this fellowship program. Preference would be accorded to MD / DNB passed Candidates. If such candidates are not available then a DCh qualified candidate may be selected for the course while the course tenure would be one year for MD / DNB candidates, it would be one and half years for a DCh candidate. At the time of application the trainee would have to produce –
   1. A bonafide certificate from the Head of Department of Pediatrics of his / her institution where he / she has completed the post graduate training in Pediatrics
   2. Photocopies of the certificate of the post graduate degree from the University concerned
   3. Certificate of registration with the appropriate State Medical Council or Medical council of India.

2. Any foreign student or a non-resident Indian student who wishes to apply should be a degree holder in Pediatrics post-graduate training and would have to produce a bonafide certificate from the Head of Department of Pediatrics of his / her institution where he / she has completed the post graduate training in Pediatrics, along with photocopies of the certificate of post graduate degree from the University concerned. The undergraduate and postgraduate degrees should be recognized by the Medical council of India.
3. All trainees joining the Neonatology fellowship program shall work as Full Time Residents during the period of training for one year (MD / DNB) or one and half years (DCh)
4. Each candidate must submit a fellowship fee of Rs. 20,000/- in the form of online payment in the name of ‘Neonatology Chapter of Academy of Pediatrics by electronic transfer to A\C no: 090 2001 0000 7547 , IFSC Code: SRCB0000090, Saraswat Bank, Station Road, Aurangabad 431005 (MS) . The fee includes fee for enrolment as Life member of IAP Neonatology Chapter.
5. AAll admission/exam forms should have the Fellowship incharge/coordinator’s signature on submission. The preferred mode of submission is online. All the forms and the required documents should be sent to iapneochap@gmail.com.
6. The acknowledgment receipt for the email and payment will be sent to the sender's email id.
7. No refund will be made if a candidate chooses to abandon the program at any time after enrolment.
8. New fellowship admission process timeline is given below. To ensure the uniformity in the admission process no applications are entertained before and after the given time frame

   Term	Normal Admission Process Dates	Late admission with late fees	Late fees (in addition of admission fee)	No admissions
   January	1-31st January	1-15th February	Rs 1000/-	After 15th February
   July	1-31st July	1-15th August	Rs 1000/-	After 15th August

9. The candidate shall abide by the curriculum as prescribed in IAP Neonatology Chapter.
10. The candidate shall abide by the rules and regulations of the institution of registration.
11. The remuneration, working hours, leaves and accommodation to the candidate will be according to the rules of the institution. The IAP Neonatology Chapter does not take responsibility for any monetary compensation.
12. The candidate shall produce a certificate of completion along with the trainee evaluation form ( link to the form) from the fellowship incharge/coordinator before being allowed to appear for the qualifying examination.
13. All students on admission to the Fellowship programme shall be given a welcome kit to include –
    1. Instructions
    2. Curriculum
    3. Exam format
    4. Handbook of Neonatology
    5. Manual of Newborn Nursing
    6. Admission to ONTOP Program
14. Any dispute between the institute and candidate will be resolved between themselves without any mediation by the chapter.
15. The exam fee of Rs. 7000/- will be paid electronically in the name of the chapter by each candidate, through the institute, with a covering note (sample appended with this document) after the exam date is announced, to reach the chapter office one month in advance of the examination date. All the forms should be sent to iapneochap@gmail.com. No hard copies of the forms are required.
16. The names of candidates who pay the exam fee in time, will be intimated to the exam coordinator in the order of receipt of applications and roll numbers for exam will be allotted in a likewise order.
17. The names of candidates who pay the exam fee in time, will be intimated to the exam coordinator in the order of receipt of applications and roll numbers for exam will be allotted in a likewise order.
18. If examination fee is not received a month in advance of the examination date, the respective candidate will not be allowed to take the fellowship exam. If a candidate withdraws from taking the exam after paying the exam fee, the fee will not be refunded.
19. The thesis or clinical study should be carried by the candidate at the time of practical examination
20. Each institute will be communicated the venue and date of the fellowship exam at least two months before the exam, and the details of the theory and practical examinations, roll numbers, and the specific dates allotted to individual candidates for practical exam will be communicated at least one month before the dates of examinations.
21. The roll number and center allotted to each candidate is non-negotiable. Individual requests from candidates or institutes for change of roll number/center or date of practical examination will not be entertained.
22. All annual exams hence forward shall be held after 31 Jan and 31 July of the respective years to ensure completion of the stipulated training programme period. The date for submission of fees henceforth for all future exams shall be fixed for the annual fresh batch exam between 1 Oct to 15 Nov & for midterm exams 1May -15 June.
23. Theory Paper 1 of 100 marks shall have 80% questions from the Website question bank. Out of 100 marks for theory paper 1, 20% marks shall be MCQ based for exploring the knowledge, aptitude, analysis and core concept understanding. Total marks are 500, out of which theory marks are maximum of 200 & practical 300 maximum. It is essential to obtain 50% marks in theory (100/200), overall 50% marks in practical (150/300), 50% marks in clinical case presentations (75/150) (part of practical exam) and aggregate 50% marks (250/500) to clear the exam. It is not essential to obtain 50% marks in spots, viva, and clinical study individually.
24. Candidates who fail to clear the exam may take another exam after six months, and reapply to the chapter with new examination form and exam fee, whenever the dates and venue are announced. The candidates will take both theory and practical exam again. A failed candidate who may seek reevaluation of his / her theory paper marks, may request the chapter for the same within 1 month of declaration of result , with endorsement from the institute head, and submit a payment of Rs. 500/- for reevaluation of both theory papers, and Rs. 250/- for reevaluation of one theory paper. The theory papers will be reevaluated (re-read and remarked) by an independent examiner (other than the panel of original examiners). Marks will be communicated to the candidate within two weeks from the date of request.
25. Examination result will be communicated to the institutes on email immediately as it becomes available. Marks card (with details of marks) and the certificate will be posted to the institutes within 6 weeks of declaration of result. A gold medal will be awarded to the candidate securing maximum marks, during the Annual Convention of the IAP Neonatology Chapter inaugural function. The details shall be intimidated to the fellowship coordinator/candidate.
26. All institutes should encourage participation of their fellows for the workshop/CME/Updates/National conference conducted by IAP Neonatology Chapter.
27. A student presenting at least 1 free paper or 2 posters at National or State Conference or a publication in a peer reviewed journal during his fellowship tenure shall be awarded additional 20 marks. These marks will be added as bonus marks to theory total, if there is a tie for first rank.
28. All fellows presenting scientific paper/poster at IAP Neonatology National Conference shall be given a discount of 20% on conference registration fees.
29. Policy on transfer/left/resigned from fellowship programme:
    • No transfer of candidate from one institute to another is encouraged. In genuine circumstances, on case by case basis, with approval of both the fellowship coordinators, a transfer may be considered.
    • The candidate who wishes to leave the fellowship programme should inform at least a month in advance to the coordinator, submit the resignation and clear all dues with the institute. No refunds shall be entertained from the Chapter.
    • Admission to another institute shall be treated as a fresh case and no past terms/posting shall be considered.
    • A candidate who leaves the programme for a 2 weeks or more without any information to the coordinator or the Secretariat shall be considered as absconding.
    • Any candidate who remains absent for 4 weeks or more in a 6 months period shall be considered to have the term/posting as in-complete and he shall repeat the post/term in next immediate term (term starts in Jan and July each year). And failing to do so will lead to lapse of all previous postings/term. Please note that the repeat posting or term can be done only against vacant seat.
    • Any candidate missing for a period of 6 months or more shall be considered ineligible for further terms and/or fellowship examination.

Clinical Study/Research projects

1. The thesis submission is no longer applicable for eligibility of fellowship exam.
2. It is mandatory that each fellow submits a research project/audit/a study etc which is relevant to the unit. The report need to be systematic, neatly presented (spiral bound if more than 20 pages)but need not be elaborate in book form etc.
3. A participating unit may join not more than 2 research projects/database conducted by IAP Neonatology Chapter in a year.
4. Fellows participating in research project are not exempted from research project submission for exams.

Goals and Objectives

Gols

The goal of Neonatology Fellowship program is to provide specialized training in Neonatology to produce competency in all the various fields of medical management of neonates, by obtaining specialized training in Institutions that have specialized Neonatology departments with a Tertiary Level Care Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, over a stipulated period of one year or one and half years. These specialists will be capable of providing subsequent such care of neonates in the community as well as clinical tertiary care centers. They shall recognize the health needs of the community and carry out professional obligations ethically and in keeping with the objectives of the National Health Policy.

Objectives

After completing the Neonatology Fellowship course the trainee should be able to -

1. Provide primary, secondary, and tertiary care to all newborn infants including intensive care of a high standard to the critically sick neonates and very low birth weight infants using advanced therapeutic and supportive modalities and skills. In this regard:
   1. He / she will also be able to effectively plan therapeutic, rehabilitative, preventive & promotive measures or strategies.
   2. He / she will have the ability to set up level II and level III Neonatal units independently.
   3. He / she will be able to take rationale decision in the face of ethical dilemmas in perinatal –neonatal diseases.
   4. He / she will demonstrate empathy & humane approach towards patients & their families & exhibit
   5. He / she will exhibit communication skills of high order and demonstrate compassionate attributes in the field of Neonatology.
   6. He / she will use and maintain the essential neonatal equipment and keep abreast with advances in neonatal care technology.
2. The trainee will implement a comprehensive follow up and early intervention program for the “At risk” newborn infants and plan, counsel and advice rehabilitation of the neurodevelopmentally and physically challenged infants.
3. The trainee will be able to seek and analyze new literature and information on Neonatology, update concepts, and practice evidence based Neonatology. The trainee will be able to demonstrate adequate managerial skills.
4. The trainee will participate in the community programs and at the secondary level of health system and play the assign
5. He / she would work as a productive member of the interdisciplinary team consisting of obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, other doctors, nurses and grassroots functionaries providing care to the pregnant mother, the fetus and newborn in any setting of health care system.
6. All fellows admitted to the IAP Neonatology Fellowship Programme should be members of Central IAP and IAP Neonatology Chapter. (See membership category details on www.iapindia.org)
7. All such students who are not the members of Central IAP at the time of admission shall be considered to have their admissions provisional till documents of IAP membership are submitted.
8. Fellows who are not members of Central IAP/IAP Neonatology Chapter shall not be considered eligible for examination.