1. KTGSS Alumnus Sharing on Careers Planning Medicine Dr. Lau Kai Kee (1998) 3 June 2008

2. So you want to be a doctor…? Want to help people? Social status? Prospect? Money?

3. Road to be a doctor A Level in Biology / Math stream MBBS / MBChB 5 years Houseman 1 year Resident / Medical Officer (6-9 years) Specialist

4. HKALE grade Data of 2007 HKU MBBS Prog. Code: 6456 CUHK Medical Studies, Prog Code: 4501 MBBS 25 th /50 th /75 th percentile AAA/AAB/AAB LLB 25 th /50 th /75 th percentile ABC/BBB/BBC BEng(Civ) 25 th /50 th /75 th percentile ABB/BBC/BCC BBA(Law) 25 th /50 th /75 th percentile AAB/AAC/AB Data from Dr Jacobus Ng, HKU

5. Employment opportunities Hospital Authority (85-90%) Private hospitals Private practice University Department of Health

6. Postgraduate Specialist training MBBS / MBChB: 5 years Full registration (HK Medical Council): 1 year Specialist trainings: 6 - 9 years Other trainings: variable Bottom line: lots of studying even after graduation (Continuous Medical Education)

7. Life of a doctor (public hospital) 6:45am Wake up 7:50am Arrive at hospital 8:00-12pm Start ward round (20 inpatients) +- outpatient 10:30am Investigation Procedures / surgery +- 1:00pm Lunch (usually less than 1 hr) 2:00pm Outpatient clinic (40 patients) / surgery 5:30pm Second ward round (newly admitted patients, investigation results) 6:00-6:30pm Home / Continue on call duties

8. “ 派糖冇我份 捱苦有我份 ” 01/07/2007

9. Doctors demonstration 26/6/2007

10. Working hours HA targets at 65 hours per week 1-2 calls per week (~30 hrs per call) Usual work hours in other disciplines: 44 hours per week Total no of hours in one month: 168 i.e At least 39% of your life at work (usually more), not including your time for studying / exam preparation

11. Salary Resident / Medical Officer: $33,355 + allowance 15% gratuity Maximum: about $110,000

12. Prospects & Promotional opportunities Promotion in public hospitals: Very slim “ 公 院 升 遷 不 揀 「 網 外 人 」 ”--Apple Daily 10/8/2007 Very few doctors will / can actually change their job

13. Social status Doctors are targets of criticism rather than targets of appraisal (except during SARS epidemic)

14. Other ways to become a doctor Overseas  Premed generally required (another few years)  Need to pass licentiate examination (LMCHK) in HK before eligible to practice

15. Other Careers in Health Care Chinese Medical Practitioner Dentist Veterinary doctor Allied Health (Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists) Nurses

16. Summary Long trainings, Life long studying Devotions to work / long working hours Salary: Not the best pay Prospects and promotions: slim Social status: not as before

17. So you want to be a doctor…? Want to help people? Social status? Prospect? Money?

18. Good luck for your exam on 11 th June 2008 franco04@graduate.hku.hk