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.
