As a child I was pre-groomed to be a doctor. Those who know me would probably say - we know! However, I don't say this merely due to my Punjabi side of my mixed heritage.
Remember when you were in school and they make you write those essays "My ambition" ? Well, I wanted to be a scientist/ surgeon. Probably due to my constant analytical and scientific inquisition.
Knowledge was powerful, and I as many - wanted to be powerful.
As I grew older, my mind was open to new and more intriguing career paths. By the age of 14-years-old I wanted to be a professional pool player! And I believed it was achievable! Youngest world champion was only 15. I would've been younger :P Ah, the big dreams.
It didn't stop there and never stopped since. I went through a lengthy process of trying to be a musician, engineer, and race car/ f1 driver. But, my asian heritage eventually pushed me to the line of medicine believing that the rest are merely hobbies than career options. With much debate and heaps of miracles - I am as you already know, a Doctor.
Many would argue that I should chase my dreams and do what I love in life. Suffice to say, God has a greater plan for every one of us. And looking back, I am glad I chose to follow God's plan. I am who I am today and have everything I have because I chose to follow.
Do not misinterpret me. I do have my complaints and dissatisfactions being a doctor. I wanted to quit being a doctor many times for many reasons:
the lengthy hours, no day off, no proper meals,
inappropriate wage, donkey work, lousy colleagues,
poor patient care, and the list goes on.
In a gist, I felt that I deserve(d) more for the effort and heart I put into my work and to the patient's I care for.
Yes yes. I know what's on your mind and many especially Malaysians.
"You should know that being a doctor is a sacrifice; if you're in it for the money you should do something else"
Those are the common lines used. But let me say this very LOUDLY:
CHOOSING TO BE A DOCTOR DOES NOT MEAN YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE A PAUPERS/AVERAGE LIFE AND NEGLECT YOUR ENTIRE PERSONAL WELL BEING, FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
I say this because we as doctors in Malaysia have already come to a point where there's no return.
We (doctors who work in the government) have the
GOVERNMENT SERVANTS ATTITUDE:
jealousy, discontent, abundant complaints, can I punch out yet.
We constantly draw self pity amongst friends who are working other jobs and are doing much better than us. Always saying "Not as rich as you", "Don't have so much free time as you", "On-call".
We stereotype doctors in the private sector as sell-outs/ money hungry people. Yet, We complain about being over-worked and underpaid on a weekly if not daily basis. I know countless doctors who work second jobs: e.g insurance, MLM's, online businesses, and etc.
We become workers than doctors. Rather than taking that extra half hour or even 15 minutes to explain to a patient the need for a lifestyle change for his/her illness- many scold the patients and condemn them for their actions that brought them to the hospital. Imagine if you were the ill patient. I guarantee that you probably think twice about going to see a doctor the next time you're ill. You'd probably go to the "bomoh" or "sin seh". And doctors probably say, why didn't he/she come see us rather than seek alternative medicine. Geez I wonder why???!
We become critics and Gods. Many Senior doctors instil fear into houseman (junior doctors)/ medical-officers (junior compared to specialists and consultants) and as such create an unwanted working environment that essentially says -
do not disturb me, if you do i will scold you ;
you must know how to be a doctor, but i'm not going to teach you how.
The years of diligent study and joy we brought to our families when we received the title MBBS or MD on our graduation day, to some young doctors seem pointless and a wasted effort. The potentials of individuals who could have been an outstanding physician/surgeon/ etc -
ruined by the so-called "more experienced doctors".
Many of us who practice would probably agree that we would not want our children to become doctors due to any number of reasons I mentioned above.
I leave you with this to ponder upon:
- What do you think is the problem with our system compared to other countries?
- Is it the hierarchy that everyone hates yet when in power uses blatantly?
- Is it the patient to doctor ratio?
- Or does it boil down to doctors in the government service being "under-paid"?
Btw, I have a youtube channel too! click here
Need extra income too ya know :P LOL
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