Doctors are evil

"Doctors are evil". "Doctors are like whores". "Doctors make too much money". "Doctors profit from the suffering of others"

In Singapore that's probably what the majority of Singaporeans think to themselves everytime they think of doctors. It's just the way it is. Or at least how I've come to feel in my 2 years working in the HDB heartland in the south.

And they do have a point. Because these people are not rich. You see beggards sitting along the walkways asking for money. You see people passing urine in public.

And a good number of patients will always bargain for that discount and expect to get it.

Everytime I tell a diabetes or hypertensive patient that they need to increase their meds or that they have to do a HBA1c or Lipid profile and they say they have no money....well I lose my moral ground. And they start to ask for free this and free that cos we doctors make so much money. To them making $3k to $4k a month is a lot of money already! It is way beyond their wildest dreams!

So how do I practise medicine like that? I can't.

I think where I am going....in the central region...it's going to be very much the same.

It might be time to look at things again and see if it is worthwhile staying in this STUPID profession. I'm quite sick of feeling this way.

A patient told me this. You guys are just like those City Harvest Church pastors. Con people. Pretend say want to help etc, but really you guys are all just interested in making money.

So making money is not bad if you are say a businessman or banker. But as a doctor, or a pastor, you should not be making money.

Ah!!!! Your boss is my good friend!!!!

Me : Good afternoon sir, how can I help you?

Patient : No I came to see Dr S. He's my good friend. I've known him for over 20 years! I also go to see Dr H for my diabetes.

Me : So how can I help you medically?

P: I want to get my diabetic medicines. I actually came to see Dr S, but since he's not here so I see you. Can you help me check my glucose level?

Me : Sure!

P: I also want to get my pink colour and yellow colour diabetes medicine. I usually get from Dr H opposite but now I found out Dr S my good friend is here so I come here

Me : Do you know the names of the medicines? I'm not familiar with the colours of the medicines

P : Usually I just say pink and yellow medicines and Dr H clinic will know. I know Dr S for 20 over years that's why I come here, but he is not around so I see you.

Me : I'm sorry sir I am not familiar with colours of medicines..

P taking out a box of his medicines showing me the pink one, but he has run out of the yellow one.

Me : The pink one looks like Avandia. Is it 4mg or 8mg?

P : If I know I will be doctor already lah!

Me : but the dosage is important.(Me takes a closer look at the Avandia tablet and sees an 8 on the pill so it's 8mg)

P : I used to take 2. Now I take one. I think it is the 8mg one. So can you give me the yellow one also?

Me asking the clinic assistants if they know of any yellow diabetic medicines. And the answer is no.

P : Usually I say yellow and pink can already! Dr S is my good friend for 20 years that's why I came to see him

Me : I'm sorry sir but I am not Dr S and I do not know you for 20 years. I need to know the name of the medicine to give you the same one as different companies manufacture their drugs in different colours especially generic versions

P : Aiyoh if I know the name I will be doctor already lah!

Me : I'll give you Avandia but for the other one I'm afraid I can't help you. How about I call Dr H to ask her.

P: No lah. Dr S is my good friend. I get from him lah.

Me : then maybe you can come back another time when he's around. Maybe he knows the yellow colour medicine.

P : I think he will know lah

Outside...

Clinic assistant : So the bill is $XXX.XX

P : Wah so expensive! I come here because I know Dr S for more than 20 years. Last time his clinic was just below my block.....

Sir William Osler also had bad days

According to a friend the following was written by the great Sir William Osler.Makes you wonder whether the world is still the same as it was in the 19th century.

"At times and in degrees differing with our temperaments, there come upon us bouts of depression when we feel that the battle has been lost, and that to fight longer is not worth the effort, periods when, amid the weariness, the fever and the fret of daily practice, things have gone against us, we have been misunderstood by patients, our motives have been wrongly interpreted and smitten perhaps in the house of our friends, the worries of heart to which we doctors are so subject makes us feel bitterly the uncertainties of medicine as a profession, and at times make us despair of its future."

MSMH!

Just here to promote the Mee Sian Mai Hum movement.

This one must try man. Mee Siam with Hum.

Things just get worse....

I was hoping and trying to wait for the right time to post something happy for a change.

But unfortunately things just seem to get worse and worse.

I dunno where all this will end eventually.