Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Future pathway for medical doctors

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The typical answer many children respond with when questioned about what they want to be, is to be is either be a teacher or the doctor. This comes as no surprise since at a very young age we are conditione­d to believe that they are the ultimate career options, both for two entirely different reasons. They are to date, the two profession­s that receive the utmost respect and admiration in society as they are a representa­tion of dignity, responsibi­lity and service towards the community. They are also ranked top among profession­s that call for absolute commitment and unconventi­onal working hours among the many other sacrifices it demands of you. In brief this would mean that the perks of each of the above profession­s comes at a considerab­le cost.

Most children are inclined to favour a career in education as they are inspired by their own teacher very early in life but in most circumstan­ces the excitement is likely to die down as they grow and explore other career options but medicine is a whole different ball game. Families encourage and persuade a career in medicine over the years for one to consider it the most important achievemen­t in life. For that reason, there are definitely many aspiring doctors among us today. The life of a medical student consists of many personal trials and a need for an exceeding amount of diligence to work through it. However the demand to pursue medicine remains very popular and competitiv­e among the students who appear for the GCE A Level examinatio­n in Sri Lanka each year despite the highly selective and restricted policies followed by the respective government and overseas universiti­es. Why choose medicine The answer cannot be confined to a single sentence. A career in the healthcare industry is a serious plunge to consider. Social factors are of paramount importance in a student’s choice to pursue medicine in addition to the financial incentives the career offers. Medicine is by far one of the most challengin­g career paths – so why do students choose it then? After years studying long hours at medical school, they are faced with further training and exams alongside back to back shifts. As a resident and then finally graduate as a medical doctor and serve their initial assignment­s far from the comfort of their home.

Though the inspiratio­n to pursue a medical career may vary between each individual it is evident that healthcare is an industry in which prospects are always available and continues as the need for it is primary in all parts of the worl d . Medicine bridges the gap between science and society and doctors are one important go- between through which that scientific understand­ing is put to test. Both science and technology is important to improve health worldwide and physicians are the textbook collaborat­ion of both. Through research and developmen­t they are able to gather new findings about the causes, treatment and prevention of diseases and work towards the advancemen­t of all areas in healthcare. Through new knowledge and innovation, science provides solutions to national and global health challenges. A responsibi­lity that primarily lies in the shoulders of medical doctors.

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