
Dear Editor
In life, nothing is constant but change!
I am in my twenties and so far, I have completed med school, acquired my medical degree and now, I am on the verge of completing my internship.
Subsequent to my internship, I will be preparing myself for the Caribbean Association of Medical Council ( CAM C) exams in order to get my medical license, which will allow me to fully practice medicine in Antigua & Barbuda.
So far, as an intern, I have learnt quite alot. The exposure to the clinical, surgical and obstetrics / gynocology practices is a life long learning experience. In addition, the financial remuneration that the interns are getting as a salarý is very welcoming.
Although medicine is my passion, interestingly, I am beginning to have second thoughts or a change of mind about continuing to pursue the path of working as a medical doctor in a hospital, at least for now.
The doctor’s job is demanding and the stress of working for almost 24 hours or more, without sleep and limited medical resources & manpower especially when I am on call, takes a toll on me and impacts greatly on my health.
Furthermore, I am now finding myself spending less quality time with my family and even more so, with my sweet little baby girl, who is a year old.

To be frank, the medical field has been a calling for me. I definitely have a love for the service. As a result, I would like to remain in the service as a medical professional inspite of the fact, that I am expecting to put on pause, my medical career as a doctor or house officer in the hospital.
Currently, it is a bit disheartening to observe that the scopes for other medical professions or jobs are limited within the health care establishments. So for those persons who have a medical degree and may be facing a similar challenge similar to what I am facing, may then have challenges to get a job within the health care system.
Hence resorting to teaching may be the only alternative. Sadly, teaching is definitely not my forte.
It is assumed that many of our doctors in the hospital are burdened with a heavy portfolio. The separation of Dr. Duncan’s portfolio and assigning the responsibilities to two other individuals should be an eye opener for those in authority.
Many more portfolios need to be done in a similar manner. It will certainly reduce the burden off the doctors, create an opening for others and enhance optimum productivity.
At this point I am very apprehensive of losing my job. Losing it will certainly turn my world upside down since I am one of the main breadwinner for my family and my child.
I am only hoping and living with optimism that when I am through with my internship, the authorities will see it fit to assign me as a clinic administrator or a hospital medical administrator or a doctor’s assistant or a medical ethical officer in the ministry of health rather than to allow me to vacate my job of which I think the hospital’s policy requires and deprive me of an income.
Certainly, these are some areas that can definitely help improve our health care service, since there is a shortage of medical professionals at such levels.
Christel
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…Christel? Isn’t that the same name given by the previous writer who claimed to have a biochemistry degree and was trying to find a job? Anyway, assuming this is a different and real person, I agree that authorities should carefully consider how many persons are needed for optimum productivity in important areas. Some consultations with existing staff on why the additional workers might be needed would help because it might be assumed that since persons have been doing the job solo, no one else is needed alongside, but although a person can get by doing two people’s work, they would normally have to leave some things out that they would ideally like to do for optimal results. Healthcare is important so those studies and consultations to determine optimum personnel levels would of course be important. On the other hand, is the writer not going to look into other options as well? There are many private clinics in the country, including some that are on the verge of opening. What about sending resumes around to all of those? The workload there might be better for her than in the hospital. Also, other islands and countries could be considered. There might be a rural clinic somewhere that needs a doctor. In some islands, remote villages have difficulty retaining a consistent doctor. Those might be good places to raise a small child. Even in some rural parts of the U.S. and other more developed countries, it can be easy to immigrate as a doctor if one is willing to work in remote areas where the pay is less than the typical pay in more populated regions but it is still good. There are some village communities in Europe where populations of younger persons are dwindling as people move to bigger cities etc. for jobs, but a doctor would always find a job there. Maybe do a bit of research and send your resume out locally, regionally and even internationally instead of giving up before even getting started?
Also, consider Canada, where immigrants are often more welcome. I have heard that a lot of their doctors migrate to the U.S. for the warmer climate and higher pay. So, they are often short on doctors.
Perhaps give a few years of service to your country, gain experience, write a few more exams, and consider other countries as well..
Here is a random article about the shortage in Canada:
https://www.cma.ca/healthcare-for-real/why-it-so-hard-find-family-doctor
Here is a random article about the U.S. situation:
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/the-physician-shortage-isnt-going-anywhere
I do empathize with this young person. I am sure there are many more like her in this concrete jungle who may also have mouths to feed.
The gov’t of the day need to be properly audited.
In the public system there are too many persons wearing several hats and collecting several pay cheques. There are also some in the system who are not bringing any value to the table.
If our young people cannot get work to do especially in the field of their study, then the devil will find work for them to do.
Let us not forget that the youths are the future for tomorrow. Now is the time to embrace them!
Rome was definitely not built in a day and much of what the writer says is worthwhile. We are still developing and there’s lots of challenges ahead. The writer has chosen a noble profession that of caring and healing humans. Yes family is important but so is your profession. Continue to place yourself in the best position to help other humans and do the best to look after your baby girl.
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