How is life as a doctor in Singapore?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Since when did doctors become so mercenary? Money is one consideration but surely can't be the most important criteria??

Given a choice, I prefer my doctors (taking care of my health) to earn more rather than bankers / lawyers. But that's just me.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

i've just applied to wuhan in china for their MBBS which is recoginise by singapore medical council to be a doctor her after graduation. my fees are SGD$9000 a year. is there anyone who can tell me about china unis?

Only heard bad things from China. Extremely low passing rate so you have to do 2-3 extra years to graduate.

Also, research properly and only deal with the admin directly. Too many scammers.

hi .i am now practising in malaysia (government), as a medical officer ~ 4 years, as now im staying in johor bahru, just wondering if i can do any locum in singapore? be it gov or private clinic ??
im now try to earn more, here in malaysia, our salary just around rm5k-6 k in government ,if u works as a specialist then your salary may be up to 12k per month, if compare to singapore and other countries, i think our salary is so bad....

To sarah: FT docs always welcome in Singapore at the expense of local citizens (excluding 'New Singaporeans')! Just go into any public hospitals and you see!!

Originally Posted by sarah

hi .i am now practising in malaysia (government), as a medical officer ~ 4 years, as now im staying in johor bahru, just wondering if i can do any locum in singapore? be it gov or private clinic ??
im now try to earn more, here in malaysia, our salary just around rm5k-6 k in government ,if u works as a specialist then your salary may be up to 12k per month, if compare to singapore and other countries, i think our salary is so bad....

Its not that your salary is bad. Come on, compare your salary with your cost of living, and you'll see RM6k is more than enough to live a comfortable life in Malaysia. Countless drool when looking towards Singapore, only because of our strong currency and conversion rate.

Also the reason why doctor's salary are so over inflated in Singapore is due to the private sector. Public sector have no choice but to slowly increase their salary over the years, lest bulk of the doctors jump ship over to the private sector to earn more money.

Yes this is sad. (MOST) Doctors nowadays care more about work life balance and money, more than the creed to save lives.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Given a choice, I prefer my doctors (taking care of my health) to earn more rather than bankers / lawyers. But that's just me.

Really? Do you know the kind of behaviour they have? For example, to earn more, they will probably recommend you tons of test and expensive medication which you probably don't need at all. Or inflate their service fees by how many times, simply because you are none the wiser.

Is this what you really prefer?

Originally Posted by sarah

hi .i am now practising in malaysia (government), as a medical officer ~ 4 years, as now im staying in johor bahru, just wondering if i can do any locum in singapore? be it gov or private clinic ??
im now try to earn more, here in malaysia, our salary just around rm5k-6 k in government ,if u works as a specialist then your salary may be up to 12k per month, if compare to singapore and other countries, i think our salary is so bad....

Why don't you ask the Medical Council directly instead of in a general forum?

I find filipino doctors to be the worst of the fake doctors, I encounter one in CGH asking a local doctor some medical knowledge before answering my questions about my health checkup... lucky that day no need take medicine. Patient die also $3000 nia, ah mah life is cheap...

On March 26, 2005, the 88-year-old, Madam Koh Ah Tow, had gone for a regular check at Clementi Polyclinic. Dr Diana Ramos Santos, then a medical officer there, had increased Madam Koh’s daily dose of digoxin – which makes the heart beat slower but with greater force – by four times.
The regulator of the medical profession here also fined her $3,000, and ordered her to pay for the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.It censured her and made her promise, in writing, not to repeat her misconduct.

I am a consultant dermatologist and histopathologist (completed both training programmes in uk). I have completed also specialty fellowship training in dermatopathology at a world renowned centre.

The NHS is a mess. I'm keen to leave.

I should be quite useful to a department or two. I understand however 1) dermatology in singapore is almost a completely closed shop to outsiders and 2) dermatologists in Singapore report their own pathology.

Is it possible to work in Singapore as an img dermatologist. Or should I carry on to hong kong instead?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Very complete input. Just to add some points for who are still coming to Singapore and work as Doctor.

1. There is NO WAY you can get full registration in Singapore, be it Specialist or whatever in UK/USA/Australia. I worked here as Resident Physician for over 7 years, still not fully registered. That means no hope for those try to settle in Singapore. Those aiming for short term stay - pay is not bad, around S$ 4000 as basic to start of as Medical Officer.

2. Work enviroment - Supervisors review are very VERY bias. They thought locally trained are best but reality is a joke. I have 2 local diplomas while I working here. If you do better than them - jellous you & attack you like crows (According to my experience here over 7 years in 4 hospitals).

3. Work Life - over stretched. short of man power at all time. Prepare yourself to work 60 -80 hours a week. Very demanding as well. Night duty/long duty start at today 830am and you only can knock off tomorrow 1230pm if you are lucky, otherwise end up going back 4-5pm next day. No official off day after long duty.

4. For training - They may say training, but end up with work for all time. No proper training. Supervising is in your dream but prepare for yourself to be blamed if something wrong.

5. Language - perpare yourself to be Mandarin/Hokkian efficient. Even among local docotrs - they perfer to speak in those langauages rather than English, not only patients. On the top of that you should be able to speak basic Malay and Tamil. That will give you good start.

6. Living Cost - If you stay in one room rental is about 700S$ (not whole flat)(as of current marlet rate) - you only will have one small bedroom (10x 12 feet)with common toilet. If you want to rent a whole flat about 70 sq meter flat - is about S$2000 and above depends on location. For meals - if you eat cheapest one - cost you about S$5 plus including drink. Most of rental room here not allow to cook your meal. No way of buying own car here - toyota altis like japanese can cause you around 90-100KS$ which is only can use for 10years. plus so called ERP (road pricing gantry) are everywhere.

7. Discrimination against foreign trained - whereever you trained before(including UK/USA), you will get this treatment. If you keen to work in Singapore, prepare yourself mentally before you come. This is culture here.

Recommendation:
1. Good for doctors from third world countries where pay is lower than Singapore.
2. Good fot those who intended to stay for short term.
3. Good for who can work 60-80 hours a week persistently
4. Good for junior/school leaver to earn some ecperience before settle in USA/UK/Australia.

My personal opinion - Australia is the best choice as work-life balance

Oh dear, sounds very bad to me. The way I look at these comments, I got the impression that doctors-in-training here are, can I say, like child prostitution in many countries (as what I had seen in CNA documentaries - super-long work hours, no work life balance and no overtime pay, with dim prospects of being registered if you do not follow or if you have too many feedbacks. Ultimately, I think the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Manpower should look into the matter of grave concerns as it involves safety issues for both doctors and patients if the doctors are so badly tired out. I can only imagine with grave concerns for these group of doctors as I always believe that having some minimum time for rests and recreations are very important for any group of workers to produce best results, and not by methods of suppression - like not registering someone after years. Hope the authorities can quickly come up with solutions for these group of workers with very ethical profession but facing no prospects just because they are under an unethical group or system.