When you complete your MBBS and housemanship, the natural question that will come to your mind is what’s next?
You can take up employment or set up a general practice and start off your career. However, most experienced doctors will suggest you move into specialisation and establish yourself as a specialist.
But what should you specialise in?
Professor Dr. Samiah Yasmin, Dean, SEGi University recommends choosing a field that you like. During the 2 years of housemanship, you will be working in different specialities. The time spent will help you your passion. Choosing a speciality is a lifelong decision. Dr Yasmin recommends going with what you like best, because it is something that you will have to work in for a long-time.
Paediatrics
One of the most followed paths is paediatrics where you will be responsible to ensure the health of children and in some cases the pregnant mother. This is a critical speciality and highly valued since you will be ensuring the health of babies. It is a highly lucrative specialisation as well. According to PayScale Malaysia, the average salary of paediatricians in Malaysia is around RM300,000.
Cardiology
As a Cardiologist, you will specialise heart health. Cardiologists are some of the most valued doctors in the medical fraternity. In Malaysia, they earn RM255,000 on an average as per PayScale.
Cardiology has a vast ambit which can roughly be divided into invasive and non-invasive cardiology. Invasive Cardiology is a high-stress profession but a rewarding choice. You will be carrying out procedures such as repairing damaged heart valves, inserting pacemakers, defibrillators and heart bypass surgery. As a non-invasive cardiologist, you will focus on the detection and treatment of heart diseases and not be involved with surgery. This is a specialisation that will never be irrelevant. Doximity, an online social networking service for physicians in the US conducted a survey in the US in 2016 and 2017 which reveals that there has been a 23% increase in the demand for cardiologists in the US alone. The rest of the world is not far behind.
Gastroenterology
Another widely followed specialisation is Gastroenterology where-in you will be responsible for treating disorders in different parts of the digestive system. You will be a specialist in gastric organs such as the oesophagus, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and the like. And will be involved in identifying and treating all kinds of diseases related to them. Gastroenterologists are highly paid across the world. In Malaysia, their average salary is around RM550,307 per year according to Salary Expert. According to Doximity’s research mentioned before, there has been a 27% rise in demand for Gastroenterologists in the US alone. Malaysia is not far behind.
Orthopaedics
Our bones are what make us and they start going through trouble as we get old. Hence, Orthopaedics is of tremendous importance and this is where you can set up your career if you have a fascination for bones, muscles, tissues, ligaments and associated features. One of the specialist field within orthopaedics is Orthopaedic Surgeons. If you specialise in this field, you will be treating the skeletal system and conducting procedures to treat patients who have suffered injuries or trauma. Orthopaedic surgeons are some of the highly paid medical professionals in Malaysia. According to PayScale, the average salary of Orthopaedic Surgeons is RM353,749 per year.
Dermatology
Skin is the largest organ of the body and probably the only one which we are most aware of. Dermatology is a vast arena where you will be treating skin disorders of a large variety – from acne to cancer. You may also move into the in things in Dermatology such as laser treatments, liposuction and injecting chemical fillers. This is a lucrative career option with immense potential. As the world gets more and more obsessed about looking beautiful, this profession will continue to flourish. Dermatologists in Malaysia earn RM474,592 per year on an average according to Salary Expert.
Plastic Surgeon
Anything is possible through plastic surgery and this is where you can specialise. You will be able to work on virtually every part of the body and change its appearance. It is a known fact that plastic surgeons are very highly paid. In Malaysia, plastic surgeons are one of the highest paid professionals in the country earning between RM35,000 to RM80,000 per month.
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
You can choose to be an expert in treating women and specialise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Thanks to an increasing level of stress, most women face Gynaecological problems in some part of their life. Childbirth has become complicated as also fertility and other things. There is immense potential in this field as well as an opportunity to earn well. Salary Expert reveals that the average salary of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Malaysia is around RM460,111 per year.
No matter which field you specialise in, the most important thing is to be good at it and do good for other people. Be capable and success will be yours.
Start on your path to be a medical professional with SEGi University’s MBBS Programme. You will be under the care of experience lecturers and gain hands-on knowledge during clinical years at some of the top hospitals in the country.