How is life as a doctor in Singapore?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Medicine is a long slog. Long course. Then long hours housemanship. MO. Calls. People who don't do medicine themselves wont truly understand how tedious and long it is. Everyone at some stage will ask themselves why are they doing this? If you are young, still single, no kids, first job is doctor, lots of life in the future you can tell yourself hey maybe the pay off later will be fantastic (in most cases it is not unfortunately), basically bluff yourself to keep at it.
If you are mature, married. Kids. Done other jobs before. You will know it is crazy. Especially when it is a long marathon which you probably have to do till you retire around age 65-70. It is NOT like some field where you work really really hard no sleep for 10-15 years and then cash out and retire at age 40-50 (think bankers and finance, traders).
So GP is one option. It pays enough. You will never be rich. You can still have a pretty comfortable life. Provide for the family. Might never retire. But if you enjoy the work it's good.

Hey there, the right place to search for these people is on LinkedIn.
Most people in the clinical field have got no clue what life out there is like, so it's best to connect with people who have actually made the switch.
Those doing consulting and in pharma haven't got time to go through forums like these to answer your questions.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am still a student.

But just wondering if anyone you guys know who make an exit to Consulting firms (MBB, Oliver Wyman, IVQIA etc)

I spoke to the consultants (chit chat during clinic) and learned from them that some of their classmates have left for Pharm & Insurance companies as medical consultants. But haven't heard of those that left to the big consulting firms, any of the seniors here have any friends who left clinical practice for big consulting firms?

If so, any specialty is more desirable than the others? On the back of my head, Prev Med because of MPH requirement might seem abit more relevant for consultancy work.

Hey there, the right place to search for these people is on LinkedIn.
Most people in the clinical field have got no clue what life out there is like, so it's best to connect with people who have actually made the switch.
Those doing consulting and in pharma haven't got time to go through forums like these to answer your questions.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Mostly oncology, cardiology, infectious diseases for pharma. Basically areas where there are a lot of drug development. Google medical science liaison. Preferably with clinical trial experience.

Hi guys, I'm a Y2 Dukie student with previous couple of years of clinical trial experience who is also interested in OP post regarding alternative careers in medicine. Quite paiseh to ask for salary range from the few known associates who have made the switch out of medicine, and more paiseh to cold call on Linkedin.

Does anyone know what sort of alternative careers I can do with my clinical trial experience? Pharm & Insurance like OP mentioned? What are the salaries like compared to the usual non-procedural medical specialist?

Hi All,

Was the OP who asked about Consulting and alternative exit paths. Thank you for all your advice! I will look into them and also take the next few years to slowly think about it.

Honestly, I am still very undecided on alot of things hahaha. Don't even know how my classmates already know what specialty they would want to go in to and actively work towards them, while I am still a potato trying to find my way around.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi guys, I'm a Y2 Dukie student with previous couple of years of clinical trial experience who is also interested in OP post regarding alternative careers in medicine. Quite paiseh to ask for salary range from the few known associates who have made the switch out of medicine, and more paiseh to cold call on Linkedin.

Does anyone know what sort of alternative careers I can do with my clinical trial experience? Pharm & Insurance like OP mentioned? What are the salaries like compared to the usual non-procedural medical specialist?

Im applying to Duke...just curious why would you consider alternative careers in medicine? is it bad? (very honest question before i say goodbye to 200,000 dollars in school fees)

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Im applying to Duke...just curious why would you consider alternative careers in medicine? is it bad? (very honest question before i say goodbye to 200,000 dollars in school fees)

Would recommend you to think twice or thrice before applying for it. Besides the cost for the degree , you have to consider the opportunity costs as well.

Reminds me of when they started having those programs to send drs to do PhD. Clinician-scientists. Program was a complete failure.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Reminds me of when they started having those programs to send drs to do PhD. Clinician-scientists. Program was a complete failure.

why was it a failure?

Stumbled upon this while searching for NMRC clincian scientist

w.nmrc.gov.sg/grants/talent-development/csa

Gives you an idea of how much drs earn

Table 1: NMRC’s Annual Salary Cap by Clinician’s Clinical Grade

Clinician’s Clinical Grade

Annual salary cap

Senior Consultant

S$300,000

Consultant

S$200,000

Associate Consultant

S$150,000

Registrar

S$120,000

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi guys, I'm a Y2 Dukie student with previous couple of years of clinical trial experience who is also interested in OP post regarding alternative careers in medicine. Quite paiseh to ask for salary range from the few known associates who have made the switch out of medicine, and more paiseh to cold call on Linkedin.

Does anyone know what sort of alternative careers I can do with my clinical trial experience? Pharm & Insurance like OP mentioned? What are the salaries like compared to the usual non-procedural medical specialist?

Go to: s://.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/
Type in keywords like
Medical science liaison - entry level requiring MD / PhD, usually about $7k starting
Medical director - as you go up salary can go up to $20+k and beyond
Country director, etc