A question most commonly asked to doctors is “Inda kau jadi specialist?” or “Why don’t you become a specialist?” This is easier said than done and for some it may sound like a rhetorical question as that is the ultimate aim of training. But does the public actually know what it means to be a specialist? Do the doctors know? Does the administration know? Does the Public Service Commision know?
What does it take to become a specialist?
- Certificate of (Specialist) Training?
- Higher specialist training?
- Clinical Masters?
- Diplomas?
- Skills?
- Experience?
- Overseas for many years?
- Overseas attachment for a few months?
- Connections?
- All of the above?
Many specialists in Brunei now are very good in what they do and they do have the qualifications to work anywhere in the world and we sometimes think that we would do well in other countries. We are thankful for what the Brunei Government has given to us. There is a body that actually decides what it takes to be a specialist, an elite group of people including doctors and administrators. It is just that this body needs to be more transparent and consistent.
By firmly knowing our career progression, this will actually help reduce the brain drain in the medical community, This came from some of us who have gone through the system in getting where we are now. For some it is clear cut; for others, it is not known. From what we heard, some specialties have to be engineered in Brunei as it does not exist anywhere else in the world.
Maybe the Brunei Medical Association can help.
As usual, comments and further information would be useful.
3 Comments
Training in many countries are in the process of being streamlined – after your PRHO/foundation years, you enter a training program that will take 5 or more years. Upon completion, you are eligible to apply for a specialist post. Separate training for basic and advanced surgical/medical training will be phased out. This is happening in UK, Oz and Singapore. And UK and Oz are only allowing their PRs or citizens to enter these programs.
So our MRCS/MRCP may not eventually be recognised in these countries. Remember one of our trainees had to do M-med in Singapore despite one of these? And if UK and Oz are shutting their doors at us, where else can we train to become specialists?
I urge our postgraduate board to seriously look into a way of going round this problem. The idea of being able to train us far enough to sit for our post basic exams is far too short sighted. No need to pat yourself on the back too long and become complacent.
Is there a way of training us locally all the way to become a specialist? You will be killing a few birds with one stone. We can become specialist without having to leave the country, our certificate will most likely be only recognised in Brunei ONLY hence clamping our likelihood of leaving (this will sound so sweet to some people)!!! and preseto! no more guilt about swimming in a medical practice of mediocracy (to quote one of the commentors!)
Seriously, stop blaming trainees for not wanting to leave for training. Some of us just want some place better. Sure you can lead a horse to a pool of water but you cannot make it drink. But if your pool of water is pee (or Singapore!) can you blame the horse?
Ps: No offence intended to those training or have trained in Singapore. I have my uttermost respect for my colleagues who have trained or are training there. It takes guts! But one man’s meat is another man’s poison or should I say one horse’s water is another’s pee????
Training to be a specialist is different in different countries. UK trainees do not sit for any exam and singapore awards FAMS after an interview.
Problem is after FAMS these trainess are still raw and can work in singapore only as associate specialist under supervision. Here we seem to give the M19 when they are not even can be specialist in Singapore.
Experience is criteria for promotion to senior consultant.
In Singapore, all numbered ASTs have to sit for their exit exams once they complete their AST program. If they pass, they will be certified by the Ministry of Health of Singapore and Singapore Medical Council as Specialists. They are therefore independant practitioners. The health institutions then usually award them an Associate Consultant (AC) post before giving them a consultant post in 1-2 years. Consultants are promoted to Senior Consultants usually after 5 years of Consultant Service in addition to other specific criterias.
The newly exited CCST consultants from UK who opt to work in Singapore immediately after their exits may also be asked to work as an AC in Singapore before being promoted to Consultants.