Death of housemen in Penang raises concerns of work culture: MMA

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) admitted that the recent death of a houseman attached to Penang Hospital raises concerns and suspicion about the working conditions younger doctors are exposed to.

“Such incidents raise concern that they may have arisen from administrative and work cultures in the affected hospitals.

“But one should not jump to such conclusions before the police investigations are completed,” MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai told The Vibes. 

Dr Koh said the association empathises with the struggles and difficulties faced by these junior doctors, and that they are aware added factors such as bullying contribute to the stress of these housemen.

Dr Koh noted measures that have been put in place by the Health Ministry to assist junior doctors in their journeys into the medical profession, such as placing them under the mentorship of specialists and fellow senior doctors.

He said a committee also exists to oversee the challenges being faced by housemen, look into reasons and solutions to problems, and assist the upcoming doctors with their tasks and progress.

“While a few senior house officers and medical officers may not be supportive, the majority are and will guide the house officers throughout their training period.

“Overbearing seniors is an age-old issue not only seen in the medical profession alone, and this is taken seriously by both MMA and MoH,” said Dr Koh.

Dr Koh stressed that housemen should not fear being stigmatised by their peers and instead seek psychiatric help if they find themselves under stress and unable to cope with their workload.

“Unless a doctor is diagnosed with a serious mental disorder, those with stress-related issues should not fear such repercussions,” he said, adding that stress is a normal response when a person feels they are not able to cope with a situation.

“Not everyone knows how to cope properly and should seek help when it is needed,” he said.

Dr Koh reiterated the need to look after the mental well-being of housemen but conceded that some may experience underlying mental issues that end up being exacerbated by their experience in the medical profession.

He also suggested that future doctors be subjected to mental health tests besides grades to ensure those looking to enter the field can cope.

“However, it was found that some doctors already had stress-related issues since secondary school or while they were in medical school. Many were able to cope with their stresses then, but were then unable to handle them when they started housemanship.

“Many looked upon the medical pathway as the road to glory without realising the immense effort needed to traverse it. We should also be looking at the mental makeup of prospective students instead of just looking at the grades when admitting students for medical courses,” he said.

Dr Koh noted that intelligence and good grades alone were not automatic prerequisites to become a doctor, which requires immense passion and aptitude.

He suggested that parents avoid forcing their children into specific career paths and instead encourage their children into fields they are truly passionate about.

“Pursuing a medical degree can be expensive and this can put even more pressure on their child to complete their studies and secure a job,” he said. – The Vibes, May 4, 2022