Why students chose Medicine course?

There was once we did a survey in the 1990s on students' choices as to WHY they chose Medicine. Some of the responses returned gave us a SURPRISE, some gave us a big SHOCK!

A large number of students wrote, they chose Medicine course to become RICH! A number wrote that the MBBS or MD degree would give them PRESTIGE (being a doctor is GREAT)! A few wrote that they wanted to become doctors to ASSIST the sick. A few wrote their parents FORCED them to become doctors.

Whatever the reasons for choosing Medicine, one must be truthful. Being opportunistic later on when one becomes a doctor, depends on intentions, which can be good or bad. Remember, the purpose of us training students to become doctors was never based on money. We are concerned as doctors today become rich and super rich especially in private clinical practice. There is nothing wrong with being involved in private clinical practice. What doctors do and their intentions are what we are concerned about. Doctors are becoming ruthless money spinners!

There are many scenarios where we are doubtful about doctors' intentions and what their priorities are. I have presented 10 cases below for you to reflect on. You decide what happened to the doctors' intentions in each case.

Case 1:
A private doctor can't make enough money to become rich. He decides to leave his private practice to join USM.

Case 2:
A young doctor completed his term in government service and quits to enter into private practice.

Case 3:
A private doctor gives "the best medicines" to keep his clientele (patients) so they come back to him.

Case 4:
A private doctor's clinic is doing well. He decides to take on a locum to replace him while he goes on holiday overseas.

Case 5:
A private doctor has no time for his family. He's too "busy" with his practice as he has many patients to attend to.

Case 6:
A doctor works with USM but he decides to also do private practice through the private arm of USM, i.e., via USAINS.

Case 7:
A seasoned doctor knows the major complaint in his private practice is URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection). He knows that such infections are either due to bacterial or viral causes. If he knows that the cause is viral, for which there is no known drug so far, but he decides to treat anyway. He then charges his patients for his prescribed "medicines" (whereas he knows there are no medicines against viruses). Is he a good doctor?

Case 8:
There is no age limit in private clinical practice. A doctor works till he drops dead!

Case 9:
Medical/clinical inventions and development are continuous. Medical/clinical knowledge keeps expanding as new discoveries are made. Old medical/clinical knowledge either supports present knowledge or becomes obsolete and is replaced. Which doctors will have present updated knowledge on medicine/clinical practice, young or old doctors? Is it safe for old doctors to continue medical/clinical practice? Do patients trust their old doctors? Why?

Case 10:
There is no such thing as a "poor doctor" in private clinical practice. How much money do doctors "rip off" from their sick/ill patients? Is it ethical? Doctors are supposed to be caring, supportive and assist their patients. Why then did they become "rich" whilst most patients never dreamed of themselves becoming "that rich"? How do doctors in private clinical practice become rich? Do doctors over-charge their patients? How would patients know they are being ripped off?