Indeed it has been more than a month since my last entry.. apart from exams, lack of ideas would be the main reason this page had been so quiet...
This entry will be a long entry.. and I must warned you that you may not like what I'll write, you may disagree of my humble opinion.. I do not mind.. this is merely my opinion & I know all of us have different experiences which inevitably led us to the differences in our principles & opinions..
Recently, the following link has been increasingly glamour, being posted in the facebook by a few friends of mine
Why we left and why we will continue to leave...
I had involved in a lengthy discussion with my fellow friends (some are doctors, some are not) regarding this matter.. to be honest,my first reaction after reading this article was "i didn't know doctors have serious issues with nurses & MAs back in Malaysia".. but I do understand that this article does not represent the doctors as a whole.. reading the article, I realised it was written based on his own experience.. and as I said earlier, everybody has different experiences.. I know a lot of friends (doctors) who are close to nurses.. again, I know this articles doesn't address the nurses & MAs as a whole.. every basket has a bad apple.. no matter what your profession is, not everyone is really good in what they're doing.. so, it is unfair to generalised just because we know one or two that unfortunately falls into the 'bad apple' category.. even from my own experience, I've worked with, I must say, the best of nurses to the worst ones.. same goes to doctors.. yes, we tend to forget ones that are good.. but I do not like making generalisations.. it unfair to those who has been working very hard to be good,if not the best, in their profession..
Well, the main issue that I would like to discuss does not include the issue above..I've read different sorts of reactions to the above article.. some agree, some don't, some blame the writer back.. it is interesting to see different types of responds especially those of doctors.. i know this issue is a very delicate issues to be discussed.. because all the people including the public are getting different inputs regarding this issue from a lot of different sources.. this issue must be looked at from different various angles..
What I want to discussed first is the issue of doctors overworked in the public sector.. because I believe it is one of main reason why people are unhappy at work which leads to demotivation, dissatisfaction, anger and eventually poor working environment.. it is certainly not a new issue.. it has been a longstanding issue.. it has been highlighted in the news, has been discussed over and over again.. and of the main thing that has been highlighted was the doctors who are working overseas/out of the country and how the government should do something to bring them back.. yes, it may be one of the reasons.. but how about those who quit the public sector to join the private sector? do you know at some point, about one third of doctors leave the public service every year to join the private sector? do you know at some point, private hospitals account for 20 percent of Malaysia’s hospital beds, but they employ about 54 percent of the doctors in Malaysia? what has been done to attract them to stay in public sector? when I Googled about this issue, I came across this
Medical tourism (under the topic Malaysian doctors who return home exempted from public service with conditions)
Wow, that is a lot of money.. from RM58.9 million in 2003 to RM 299.1 million in 2008.. yup, private sector is growing fast.. but what happens to the public sector? hopefully an equal improvement.. I know that the basic salary had been increased for doctors which is a good sign.. I don't really know about other incentives that doctors get in Malaysia.. training grant & study leave would be a good idea.. especially for those who are going for mrcp/mrcog/mrcgp etc.. but we have to realise doctors who left are seeking better life, not only in the financial side (probably not even because of financial stuff) but for better working hours, better facilities & equipments, better working environment.. there must be something that can be done to persuade (not forcing) the doctors to stay in the public sector..
I believe that a proper & thorough study is needed to improve the overall working condition for the public sector.. some doctors are too frustrated that they ended up making complaints in the papers/blogs or whatever medium they can get.. I don't blame them.. but I feel voicing as a group/unit will bring greater effects.. through a proper body for example through NGOs or doctors associations.. but having read those responds by various people, I know it's going to be a challenge.. some doctors are not supportive of the others.. this brings me to the 2nd issue.. I know seniority is a big thing back home.. which has its good and bad side to it.. but I don't understand why it is so badly needed.. respect is something to be earned, not demanded.. and it is sad if a superior is being feared, not being respected.. it doesn't contribute to a positive working environment.. but some said if you're being too kind, they will 'step on your head'.. great! then nobody would ever be nice.. it is always should be give & take.. people being nice to you, you should be nice too.. bullying probably has become less now.. but I do know a friend of mine who quit not because of workload but merely because unacceptable bullying.. it is probably an isolated case.. but it proves that it still happens.. and sadly, when he reported to the hosp director, the answer was 'nothing can be done'..
It is even sadder when the doctors are questioning why others are complaining too much.. funny how many times I've came across this phrase 'kitorang dulu lagi teruk.. tapi survived je..' which is another way of saying why bother changing the system,it's good enough now! of course surviving is one thing, making things better is another.. parents will strive hard to make sure their children has a good if not better life than they have.. but why some doctors doesn't want to do the same for their junior colleagues? refuse to help to ensure better conditions for the next generation? even if they do not want to help, just don't scrutinies others who are fighting for a better future for doctors.. and I know some doctors are sick of hearing others whining especially if the others are their juniors/subordinates.. they feel like many of them are spoil and refuse to learn which unfortunately in some cases are true..but I know it is hard to differentiate between 'spoil' and overworked especially when the superiors already experienced those themselves, that overworking is a norm that every juniors have to face.. but then, less work should mean better outcome,more thorough and quality work can be done which unfortunately some junior doctors take for granted.. the definition of overworked itself varies.. how many works do you have to do to be qualified as overworked? straight 48 hours? 52 hours? 80 hours per week? not having time for breakfast & lunch,does that qualified as overworked? I have no idea of what working time directives does malaysia has for doctors.. but we should have one.. yes, people say doctors must endure long hours.. but not too long.. because tiredness will set in and it would begin to cloud judgment and lead to mismanagement.. doctors are humans.. we have limitations.. our mistakes are often unacceptable.. so whatever can be done to reduce the risks of making mistakes, it should be done..
From the discussions I had,we made a conclusion that doctors should be united.. doctors associations & NGOs representing doctors should be more proactive.. we should put aside whatever differences we have - seniors, juniors, races, local grads, overseas grads- and fight for the better future.. because in the end, we are all working in the same system and we are serving the community.. we deserve the best so that we can give the best.. doctors in the private sectors should help too.. there are so many things that they can do.. I found this blog written by a doctor working in private sector & I found it very useful..
The heart of the matter
and this is one of the article written by him (a very good article)
My health, my country
I'm sure there are more doctors who critically analysing the healthcare system in Malaysia.. as for the above doctor,I must say I like his positivity.. I hope we can stay positive and help doctors like him to improve our healthcare system..
It's time to make our voice be heard.. I'm hoping for better lives for doctors.. in which we have time to do what normal people do - outing with family/friends in the weekends, going for a long holiday every now & then, having time to look after ourselves, having enough time for spouse & children, having the time & energy to study, going out in the evening for a jog/to the gym.. also a good working environment where we respect each other, working in high spirit and with high motivation.. and much more.. it may not happen in 10 years time, probably not in 20 years time.. but we have to start taking steps, big or small.. as it is certainly not impossible..
This entry will be a long entry.. and I must warned you that you may not like what I'll write, you may disagree of my humble opinion.. I do not mind.. this is merely my opinion & I know all of us have different experiences which inevitably led us to the differences in our principles & opinions..
Recently, the following link has been increasingly glamour, being posted in the facebook by a few friends of mine
Why we left and why we will continue to leave...
I had involved in a lengthy discussion with my fellow friends (some are doctors, some are not) regarding this matter.. to be honest,my first reaction after reading this article was "i didn't know doctors have serious issues with nurses & MAs back in Malaysia".. but I do understand that this article does not represent the doctors as a whole.. reading the article, I realised it was written based on his own experience.. and as I said earlier, everybody has different experiences.. I know a lot of friends (doctors) who are close to nurses.. again, I know this articles doesn't address the nurses & MAs as a whole.. every basket has a bad apple.. no matter what your profession is, not everyone is really good in what they're doing.. so, it is unfair to generalised just because we know one or two that unfortunately falls into the 'bad apple' category.. even from my own experience, I've worked with, I must say, the best of nurses to the worst ones.. same goes to doctors.. yes, we tend to forget ones that are good.. but I do not like making generalisations.. it unfair to those who has been working very hard to be good,if not the best, in their profession..
Well, the main issue that I would like to discuss does not include the issue above..I've read different sorts of reactions to the above article.. some agree, some don't, some blame the writer back.. it is interesting to see different types of responds especially those of doctors.. i know this issue is a very delicate issues to be discussed.. because all the people including the public are getting different inputs regarding this issue from a lot of different sources.. this issue must be looked at from different various angles..
What I want to discussed first is the issue of doctors overworked in the public sector.. because I believe it is one of main reason why people are unhappy at work which leads to demotivation, dissatisfaction, anger and eventually poor working environment.. it is certainly not a new issue.. it has been a longstanding issue.. it has been highlighted in the news, has been discussed over and over again.. and of the main thing that has been highlighted was the doctors who are working overseas/out of the country and how the government should do something to bring them back.. yes, it may be one of the reasons.. but how about those who quit the public sector to join the private sector? do you know at some point, about one third of doctors leave the public service every year to join the private sector? do you know at some point, private hospitals account for 20 percent of Malaysia’s hospital beds, but they employ about 54 percent of the doctors in Malaysia? what has been done to attract them to stay in public sector? when I Googled about this issue, I came across this
Medical tourism (under the topic Malaysian doctors who return home exempted from public service with conditions)
Wow, that is a lot of money.. from RM58.9 million in 2003 to RM 299.1 million in 2008.. yup, private sector is growing fast.. but what happens to the public sector? hopefully an equal improvement.. I know that the basic salary had been increased for doctors which is a good sign.. I don't really know about other incentives that doctors get in Malaysia.. training grant & study leave would be a good idea.. especially for those who are going for mrcp/mrcog/mrcgp etc.. but we have to realise doctors who left are seeking better life, not only in the financial side (probably not even because of financial stuff) but for better working hours, better facilities & equipments, better working environment.. there must be something that can be done to persuade (not forcing) the doctors to stay in the public sector..
I believe that a proper & thorough study is needed to improve the overall working condition for the public sector.. some doctors are too frustrated that they ended up making complaints in the papers/blogs or whatever medium they can get.. I don't blame them.. but I feel voicing as a group/unit will bring greater effects.. through a proper body for example through NGOs or doctors associations.. but having read those responds by various people, I know it's going to be a challenge.. some doctors are not supportive of the others.. this brings me to the 2nd issue.. I know seniority is a big thing back home.. which has its good and bad side to it.. but I don't understand why it is so badly needed.. respect is something to be earned, not demanded.. and it is sad if a superior is being feared, not being respected.. it doesn't contribute to a positive working environment.. but some said if you're being too kind, they will 'step on your head'.. great! then nobody would ever be nice.. it is always should be give & take.. people being nice to you, you should be nice too.. bullying probably has become less now.. but I do know a friend of mine who quit not because of workload but merely because unacceptable bullying.. it is probably an isolated case.. but it proves that it still happens.. and sadly, when he reported to the hosp director, the answer was 'nothing can be done'..
It is even sadder when the doctors are questioning why others are complaining too much.. funny how many times I've came across this phrase 'kitorang dulu lagi teruk.. tapi survived je..' which is another way of saying why bother changing the system,it's good enough now! of course surviving is one thing, making things better is another.. parents will strive hard to make sure their children has a good if not better life than they have.. but why some doctors doesn't want to do the same for their junior colleagues? refuse to help to ensure better conditions for the next generation? even if they do not want to help, just don't scrutinies others who are fighting for a better future for doctors.. and I know some doctors are sick of hearing others whining especially if the others are their juniors/subordinates.. they feel like many of them are spoil and refuse to learn which unfortunately in some cases are true..but I know it is hard to differentiate between 'spoil' and overworked especially when the superiors already experienced those themselves, that overworking is a norm that every juniors have to face.. but then, less work should mean better outcome,more thorough and quality work can be done which unfortunately some junior doctors take for granted.. the definition of overworked itself varies.. how many works do you have to do to be qualified as overworked? straight 48 hours? 52 hours? 80 hours per week? not having time for breakfast & lunch,does that qualified as overworked? I have no idea of what working time directives does malaysia has for doctors.. but we should have one.. yes, people say doctors must endure long hours.. but not too long.. because tiredness will set in and it would begin to cloud judgment and lead to mismanagement.. doctors are humans.. we have limitations.. our mistakes are often unacceptable.. so whatever can be done to reduce the risks of making mistakes, it should be done..
From the discussions I had,we made a conclusion that doctors should be united.. doctors associations & NGOs representing doctors should be more proactive.. we should put aside whatever differences we have - seniors, juniors, races, local grads, overseas grads- and fight for the better future.. because in the end, we are all working in the same system and we are serving the community.. we deserve the best so that we can give the best.. doctors in the private sectors should help too.. there are so many things that they can do.. I found this blog written by a doctor working in private sector & I found it very useful..
The heart of the matter
and this is one of the article written by him (a very good article)
My health, my country
I'm sure there are more doctors who critically analysing the healthcare system in Malaysia.. as for the above doctor,I must say I like his positivity.. I hope we can stay positive and help doctors like him to improve our healthcare system..
It's time to make our voice be heard.. I'm hoping for better lives for doctors.. in which we have time to do what normal people do - outing with family/friends in the weekends, going for a long holiday every now & then, having time to look after ourselves, having enough time for spouse & children, having the time & energy to study, going out in the evening for a jog/to the gym.. also a good working environment where we respect each other, working in high spirit and with high motivation.. and much more.. it may not happen in 10 years time, probably not in 20 years time.. but we have to start taking steps, big or small.. as it is certainly not impossible..
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