Is a career in medicine for you?

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 7 May 2022 6:20PM · 4 Comments

THE death of a Penang Hospital houseman has again highlighted the “hardship” faced by trainee doctors.

First and foremost, let us not assume or make any conclusion as to the reason for his fall from the apartment.

Investigation is ongoing and no one should speculate about his death.

Back to the issue of housemen being bullied or pressured by seniors during their training – look, no one is forced into becoming a doctor.

Many do so for the glamour and thought of making big bucks without realising the demands and pressures on a medical officer.

Some even embark on this course to make their parents proud.

If you cannot work under pressure or do not have the dedication and passion, then medicine is not your cup of tea.

Children are too pampered these days and cannot accept being told off when they are wrong.

The situation worsens when politicians jump into the fray and defend these young doctors without further investigation.

Yes, mental pressure does happen but this goes for all jobs, not just doctors.

Individuals who intend to take on medicine should be prepared to be corrected on the job, as there are no two ways in playing with lives – errors can mean sending patients to the grave.

Let us not send a message that doctors cannot be wrong or make mistakes, or are allowed to be defensive when corrected by those more experienced in the field.

If you take up medicine to satisfy the egos of your parents, then you are in the wrong profession. Just quit, and do not blame or whine about the entire system.

To all the trainee doctors out there, learn to be better doctors and complain less. – May 7, 2022.

* Narinder Pal Singh reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.

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Comments

  • I assume the writer is from a medical background himself. Although I agree with some of his points in regards of having a strong mental state to face the tortuous 2 years of housemanship, I would like to point out also that the current and may I say the past culture working as HOs are barbaric to a certain extent. In the end, when these HOs finish their Houseman, what kind of doctors would you want them to be? Ignorant selfish heartless doctors or a well mannered empathic one? Yes all jobs, regardless which professional you are in has its hardship. But that is never ever an excuse to allow bullying and demeaning to go rampant. This has to stop. "Primum Non Nocere/First Do No Harm" was one of the the first principles taught in medical school. Maybe the writer was one of the few lucky doctors to have fly through HOs and maybe you Sir, are an established consultant. But it still not an excuse to breed such a toxic environment. In the end, when we are at the fragile state, who would you rather have a doctor for? The kind hearted or an A**hole?

    Posted 4 years ago by Wubba Lubba Dub Dub · Reply

    • If you are held by the sacred Hippocrates oath , to treat the ill to the best of one's ability, then having a choice for a kind hearted or an Ahole - as you put it does not arise.

      Posted 4 years ago by Baljit Gill · Reply

    • Rather by you admitting to be in the fragile state does not agur well for you. Obviously you lack the strong heartedness of the medical profession

      Posted 4 years ago by Baljit Gill · Reply

    • I politely disagree with you Mr Baljit. Its unfortunate that this typical malignant mentality and lame excuses that is being used to justify this "tough love". Not disrespecting anyone here, but it's clear cut the work culture has to change for the betterment of the patients and the medical establishment as well. It's not about being pampered nor wrong decisions in life. Who are we to judge what a person decides? However, who are we also to demean, bully and show uncouth characters towards the fellow juniors and staff? I've experience malignant Ahole bosses during my time and also Ive had compassionates as well. The best ones teach and inspire, the horrible ones will repel and discourage. And I believe you would also agree, productivity is high and human error is low when you work in a conducive non toxic environment. Stop the superiority complex. Stop the arrogance. You want to be respected, not hated.

      Posted 4 years ago by Wubba Lubba Dub Dub · Reply