THE Malaysian Medical Association has called for all secondary school students to get to know the medical profession first before deciding if they want to take up medicine as a career.
Its president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said while a career in the field can be fulfilling, it is not for everyone, adding that students and their parents need to be aware of the challenges and commitment involved.
“Medicine is also one of the most expensive courses to take-up and one of the longest to complete,” she said in a statement on Wednesday (May 29).
“Studying medicine costs between RM250,000 to RM650,000 depending on the university and takes around five years to complete.
“Upon completing medical school, medical graduates are required to undergo house officer training in the public healthcare system.
“This is the stage where even the brightest of medical students drop-out due to the work demands. Many find themselves at a crossroads here because their expectations do not match the reality on the ground.”
According to Dr Azizan, students considering medicine as a career must also be aware of the contract system and be prepared to serve in any healthcare facility as part of their training.
“Above all, students must be well aware that in the medical profession, patients’ needs come first,” she added.
To educate both students and their parents on the various career options available, the MMA had recently organised the Career Guidance Conference in Penang.
The event saw a number of doctors, architects, accountants, lawyers and many others from different industries being invited to share their experiences including the challenges they encounter in their profession. – May 29, 2024
