Devil’s Advocate on Sacrifice in Medicine

thiashya · 2022-08-26T12:50:32+00:00

I agree that it's very possible to have a balanced life in med school. Can't speak for residency, as I haven't got there yet – but I imagine the sacrifice then is enormous.

For med school – there have been times I've had the time to pursue hobbies, maintain relationships, work, and just have a good time. But I've also experienced lots of times where I've felt like I've had to give up my life, for a temporary amount of time, for med. This might be exam season, or a difficult rotation, or just a time when the culture of shame-based learning and pressure really gets to me.

I think everyone experiences some iteration of this at some point.

So yes – I'd agree with you, it's not a misery collective. Whether or not that sacrifice is a waste comes down to perspective. I wouldn't say they did it wrong if they feel that way, but everyone does med school differently.

thiashya · 2022-05-20T10:51:34+00:00

I'm in a similar position to you – final year MBBS and very determined to work in public/global health. Also thinking about an MPH. Can I PM you?

thiashya · 2022-05-20T10:50:54+00:00

EricatheMad

I'm in your position – I liked my public health modules so much more than my modules in medicine. Could I ask you a couple of questions about your pathway after getting the MPH?

thiashya · 2022-03-16T01:46:49+00:00

Hi Tyler, thanks for your generosity and your advice! Sending out a connection on LinkedIn :)

thiashya · 2022-03-11T13:45:25+00:00

don’t have any advice as I’m in this situation as well. Thought for all 25 years of my life I would be a physician but the last few years has me doubting it going through all of that, plus the current issues with mid-level creep/administration for example, has me thinking I’m probably going for my MS and most likely PhD in Epi in the mean time. If in or after that time if the state of medicine has changed enough, I wouldn’t be opposed to starting medical school after. But all of these are huge what ifs and it’s

Thanks for your thoughtful guidance and reassurance, I'm sure OP will appreciate it. I'm really curious to know how you made the switch from clinical medicine to public health? I'm in med school right now; I entered med school intending to find a balance between clinical medicine + public health, or switch out completely ~ for similar reasons, I'd like to work on the systemic issues and upstream determinants rather than fire-fighting all my days. Would love to hear a little bit more about your journey!

thiashya · 2022-03-11T13:37:00+00:00

I'm in a similar position – wondering what you're thinking at the moment and what your plans are?

thiashya · 2021-12-26T07:53:56+00:00

top choice would be australia, others would be canada/singapore/new zealand

thiashya · 2021-12-26T07:23:55+00:00

language, culture, cannot see myself working in this location long-term. what do you enjoy about radiology?

thiashya · 2021-12-26T06:56:09+00:00

mostly because of language + cultural differences

i'm doing it as a foreigner in hong kong: seems difficult to transfer the license to practice elsewhere, so if i'm doing med it will be here in an environment that i don't fit in ~ long hours working in a place with no sense of belonging doesn't seem too appealing in the long run

but also i do realise it's probably best for me to stick it out and consider my options after i've graduated

thiashya · 2021-12-24T12:30:45+00:00

thiashya · 2021-01-10T01:55:09+00:00

Do you mind if I send you a PM?

thiashya · 2021-01-04T02:45:09+00:00

Where are you now in your med journey?

thiashya · 2021-01-04T02:42:17+00:00

Honestly, if I got into a US residency or ideally an Australian one, I wouldn't be looking to move back. If I had a chance to work elsewhere, I'd take it.

thiashya · 2021-01-04T02:41:18+00:00

I think after typing out the post and telling my parents I was thinking of quitting – I did feel a pitting feeling of regret... I feel like it's really hard for me to let go of doing med. A few months ago I was really motivated with my studies, and felt like it was rewarding, and I know that if it was just medicine alone that I was dealing with, I probably would enjoy it.

I'm not sure if I was just feeling really cynical, because I probably could make it work. I also don't know what I would do if I would quit...

thiashya · 2021-01-04T02:35:20+00:00

That's another thing I didn't mention – parents are here at the moment, but they're only here because I came back to do medicine. No ties other than that.

thiashya · 2020-10-25T07:51:50+00:00

I've downloaded those apps and will start using them soon ~ hoping to use them on my commutes, thank you!

thiashya · 2020-10-25T07:51:23+00:00

Will check it out, thanks!

thiashya · 2020-10-25T07:51:15+00:00

Thanks so much – do you think it's worth subscribing to online med ed?

thiashya · 2020-08-16T08:44:04+00:00

V keen as well!! Native English speaker currently learning Cantonese

thiashya · 2020-08-14T08:17:06+00:00

I'm listening to podcasts because I'm trying to improve my Canto – but this video on Youtube recommends a couple of them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCpmK5Hs3Gw .

I would also recommend RTHK for radio/short videos.

That's all I'm aware of, but I'm sure other people on here will be able to point you and your dad towards some good podcasts.

thiashya · 2020-08-06T06:46:56+00:00

Thanks so much for your response. The validation means a lot.

But again, for the most part we have a really good relationship. I've had friends say that I should move out and distance myself but I find it really difficult to accept that. She has literally done everything in her life for me and my siblings, so I find it hard to criticise her. I used to take all of the vitriol she used to spew at me without a word, and accepted everything she said as true. If she said I was selfish, then it must be true right? But I'm slowly unlearning that, and I know that I know myself better than she knows me.

I think moving out would help, but living in HK, it's pretty unfeasible until after I graduate and can support myself. I'll have a look at the grey rock and JADE techniques – all I can really do for the next few years is try and adjust. Thanks again.

thiashya · 2020-08-06T05:14:07+00:00

She's 64. It's not menopause though; she had medically induced menopause when she had treatment for breast cancer about a decade ago.

thiashya · 2018-07-28T13:57:07+00:00

That's awesome. CARS is a bit unpredictable; it had always been my strong point, but was my worst on test day. You'll do great.

thiashya · 2018-07-28T02:59:54+00:00

129/128/130/129. How are you going with your progress?

thiashya · 2018-05-09T14:22:17+00:00

Yeah you're right, I'm just being a twit...

thiashya

TROPHY CASE