The medical healthcare system is one of the most crucial systems we have in our society.
Therefore, healthcare professionals are always in demand as it is responsible for maintaining the health of the society.
So, if you have always had a fascination for working with your hands and dealing with human anatomy, a future career in the medical industry just might be for you!
In this article, you will learn more about what medicine is, where to study, and what to expect in your future career as a medical practitioner.
What is Medicine?
Medicine is related to the diagnosing, treating, and preventing of illnesses, diseases, or injury.
Medical practitioners, such as doctors and nurses, play a huge role in ensuring their patients are dealt with the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
The main objective of doctors and nurses is to ensure a person suffering from symptoms is relieved from their ailment and is given proper treatment they require to recover.
Therefore, the study of medicine is a field that is largely involved with promoting and maintaining health and wellbeing.
It is focused on the various aspects of human anatomy and how you can diagnose and treat illnesses.
From treating symptoms of the common cold to treating complex diseases such as cancer, these are topics you will learn as you delve into your study of medicine.
Why Should You Study Medicine?
You like to learn
This field requires its practitioners to be lifelong learners.
Advancement in technology and research means that there is always an alternative treatment to an existing condition.
Moreover, breakthroughs in research also could result in changes to how illnesses are treated and the quality of life in patients after treatment.
You want an in-demand career
Regardless of whether you continue to pursue a career as a medical practitioner, your medical degree can also open doors for you in other fields.
There are over 60 medical fields to specialise from, which provides you with further opportunities elsewhere.
You may look into teaching in a university, or becoming a teacher in high school.
You may also explore becoming a part of a medical research team, venture into health journalism, become a medical consultant, or join the medical business administration and become an executive.
You can make a difference in people’s lives
Most importantly, a career in Medicine means you get to actively take part in making a difference in people’s lives.
The public relies on the competency and compassion of the healthcare system to relieve them of their pain.
When you get to work with different patients and be a part of their road to recovery, you are directly creating a positive impact on their lives.
It is an incredibly humbling work to be able to alleviate the sufferings of another person, and not to mention, a self-rewarding career.
What are the Study Fields of Medicine?
The medical field offers various specialisations you can choose from. Here are some of more popular fields:
Anaesthesiology
This medical branch is concerned with providing patients a relief for their pain.
Anaesthesiologists are involved with giving patients total care of the surgical patient before, during, and after the surgery.
Internal Medicine
This branch of medicine has to do with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect the internal organs.
This deals with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
Paediatrics
This specialisation is focused on dealing with the development, care, and diseases of infants, children, and adolescents.
The role of paediatrics is particularly important as children require different dosage and types of medicines from adults.
Surgery
The overall field is focused on using operative tools to investigate and treat medical conditions caused by diseases.
Surgeries are particularly helpful when it comes to improve bodily functions, repair damaged areas, or even enhance physical appearances.
How to be a Doctor in Malaysia?
Pre-University
After completing your SPM or O-Level, you may choose to apply to a pre-university programme like Foundation in Science, A-Levels, AUSMAT, SACE, STPM, or equivalent.
This phase may typically take you 1 – 2 years to complete and costs from RM 18,000.
You will need to have 5 credits in SPM or equivalent qualification, including B in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics (or Additional Mathematics).
MBBS
Once you have completed your pre-university, you are now eligible to enrol in a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine.
To be eligible for this course you will need to fulfil the SPM or equivalent qualification and any of the following courses:
- A-Level: BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics
- STPM: BBB, ABC or AAC in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics
- AUSMAT/SACE: Average of B in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics or Mathematics; and 5Bs in SPM including Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics or Additional Mathematics
- Foundation in Science or Matrikulasi: Minimum CGPA of 3.00 in Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Mathematics; and 5Bs in SPM including Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics or Additional Mathematics
Ensure that the course you’ve chosen is recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council so that you can practice medicine in Malaysia.
This course will take you 5 years to complete during which you will learn the fundamentals of medicine and undergo clinical training.
An MBBS course will cost from RM 102,000.
Housemanship
When you have finished your Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine, you will be required to undergo a 2-year housemanship at a government hospital.
MMC Registration
When you are on your final posting, you can then apply to register as a medical officer with the MMC.
Compulsory Service
Once you’ve completed this, you need to complete another 2 years of compulsory service with the government.
Specialisation
If you want to pursue a specialisation, you can then continue with postgraduate studies.
Do note that this may add about 4 -5 years of studies, after which you will undergo 2-4 years of supervised training to be a specialist.
What are the Skills Required to Study Medicine?
There are a few skills you need to have in order to thrive in the field of medicine.
Communication Skills: To be clear and concise with your words as you communicate with other medical practitioners, your patients, and their family members is an important quality to have.
Teamwork: Being in healthcare means you are constantly working as a team to provide the best care you can give your patients.
Good sense of empathy: Having a great sense of empathy for your patients can help you build a good rapport with them and increase their trust in you and the treatment.
Inquisitive: In the medical field being inquisitive will result in you reading copious amounts of medical texts and asking your patient and their family members multiple questions so that you can get an accurate diagnosis.
Top Medicine Universities in Malaysia
International Medical University Malaysia (IMU)
IMU offers students incremental clinical experiential learning from year 1 sem 1 onwards.
They also have an intensive 6-month Senior Clerkship at Hospital Batu Pahat / Hospital Kluang for the final semester to work in wards as shadow house officers under the supervision of senior clinician to help students better prepare for patient care and housemanship training.
Medicine courses offered:
- Foundation in Science (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy)
- MBBS (IMU) with Partner Medical Schools in the United Kingdom (2.5+3)
- MBBS (IMU) with Partner Medical Schools in Ireland (2.5+3)
- MBBS (IMU) with Partner Medical Schools in New Zealand (2.5+3)
- MBBS (IMU) with Partner Medical Schools in Australia (2.5+3)
- MBBS (IMU) with Partner Medical Schools in Canada (2.5+3)
- MBBS (IMU)
MAHSA University
MAHSA University takes pride in the strong academic and research background behind the MBBS programme.
Its advanced facilities – clinical skills centre, anatomy suite, anatomage, dissection table, operation theatre and many more, are of approved clinical-setting standard.
Medicine courses offered:
- Foundation in Science (MBBS, Dentistry, Pharmacy)
- Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS
Taylor’s University
As a leading private higher education in Malaysia since 1969, Taylor’s School of Medicine is well equipped to help students become a centre of excellence for research and comprehensive medical healthcare education.
It collaborates with Hospital Sungai Buloh in the areas of learning & teaching, practice and research.
- Foundation in Science
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Things You Need to Know About a Medical Career
Based on the Malaysian government’s target for 1 doctor for every 400 citizens, we need about 80,000 doctors versus the current total of 50,000.
However, GPs and specialisations such as obstetrics and gynaecology, anaesthesiology, and general surgery are more popularly pursued.
Nevertheless, there is still an overall lack of specialists.
Only 30% out of 150 hospitals in Malaysia have sufficient specialists.
Some of the specialisations that are in high demand include cardiology, neurology, geriatric medicine, paediatric rheumatology, intensive care medicine, urogynaecology and forensic psychiatry.
Popular Medical Jobs
When you have completed your compulsory 2-year service with the government, you may choose to continue working for a public hospital or move on to a private institution.
According to JobStreet, here are some of the career opportunities available for medical graduates:
- Medical Officer
- General Practitioner/Doctor
- Medical Laboratory Technologist
The work of a medical practitioner starts at a humble salary.
According to Payscale, the average base salary you can expect to earn yearly as a medical officer can start from RM 79,000.
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