Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask something that's been on my mind for the last few weeks.

After MBBS, there are so many options—NEET PG preparation, fellowships, certificate courses, workshops, CMEs, online programs—you almost feel like you should be doing something all the time. But I'm honestly confused about what actually makes a difference in real practice.

I've met doctors who say experience is everything and that no course can replace treating patients every day. On the other hand, I've also spoken to doctors who believe short fellowships or certification programs helped them become much more confident, especially in areas they deal with regularly.

For example, if a general physician sees cardiac patients every day, would learning ECG interpretation or basic echocardiography through a structured course actually improve patient care? Or is it something that only comes with years of experience?

The same question applies to emergency medicine, diabetes management, dermatology, critical care, and other specialties. There are so many learning options available now that it's difficult to know which ones are genuinely useful and which ones simply add another certificate to your CV.

I'm not asking about degrees like MD or DM. I'm talking about short courses, fellowships, and skill-based training that doctors pursue while continuing their practice.

So I'd really like to hear from people who have actually done one.

• Did it improve your confidence?
• Did you use those skills in your daily practice?
• Did it help you get a better job or more patients?
• If you could go back, would you still spend your time and money on that course?

I'm looking for honest experiences rather than advertisements because I think many young doctors are facing the same confusion.

Looking forward to your opinions.