ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First of all, I would like to say Alhamdulillah, for giving me the strength and health to do this project until it is done.

Not forgotten to my family for providing everything, such as money, to buy anything that are related to this project work and their advise, which is the most needed for this project. Internet, books, computers and all that as my source to complete this project. They also supported me and encouraged me to complete this task so that I will not procrastinate in doing it.

Then I would like to thank my teacher, Pn Ruziani and Pn Haslina for guiding me and my friends throughout this project. We had some difficulties in doing this task, but they taught us patiently until we knew what to do. They tried and tried to teach us until we understand what we were supposed to do with this project.

Deepest appreciation to Dr Roselinda for willingly sacrificing her time to do the interview.

Last but not least, my friends who guided me and keep reminding me to do this project, also for giving me all the information needed. They were helpful that we had this task done.

INTRODUCTION

A general practitioner or GP is a medical practitioner who provides primary care, specializes in nothing and sees everything. A general practitioner treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and co morbidities.

The term general practitioner or GP is common in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth countries. In these countries the word physician is largely reserved for certain other types of medical specialists, notably in internal medicine. While in these countries, the term GP has a clearly defined meaning, in North America the term has become somewhat ambiguous, and is not necessarily synonymous with the term "family doctor".

Duties & Responsibilities of Doctors

Being a doctor gives you certain rights and privileges. In return you must fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a doctor. The principles of good medical practice and the standards of competence, care, and conduct expected of you in all aspects of your professional work, are described in this booklet. They apply to all doctors.

Providing a Good Standard of Practice and Care

1. All patients are entitled to good standards of practice and care from their doctors. Essential elements of this are professional competence; good relations with patients, respect for the patient’s autonomy and good relations with colleagues; and observance of professional ethical obligations.

Good Clinical Care must include:

An adequate assessment of the patient’s condition, based on the history and physical examination;

Provide for appropriate investigations; Provide for appropriate treatment;

Referring The Patient to Another Practitioner, When Indicated

2. In providing for care you must:

Work within the limits of your professional competence; Be willing to consult with colleagues; Be competent when making a diagnosis or providing treatment; Keep clear, accurate, medical records which report the relevant clinical findings,

the decisions made, and any drugs or treatment given; Keep your colleagues well informed when sharing the care of patients; Pay due regard to efficacy and the use of resources; Prescribe only the drugs, treatments and appliances that will serve the patient’s

needs. Make sure that your prescriptions are written correctly and clearly; Abide by the hospital rules, protocols and standard practice.

Maintaining Good Medical Practice

Keeping up to date

3. You must keep your knowledge and skills up to date throughout your working life. In particular, you should take part regularly in educational activities, which develop your competence and performance and read the important medical journals in your field of interest.

4. You must work with colleagues to monitor and maintain your awareness of the quality of the care you provide, in particular you must:

Take part in regular and systematic clinical audit, recording your findings honestly, where necessary you must respond to the results of audit to improve your practice.

Respond constructively to assessments and evaluations of your professional competence and performance.

Teaching and Training

6. You must contribute to the education and training of medical students and other doctors

7. You must make sure your junior colleagues are well supervised during training

8. You must be honest and objective when assessing the performance of those you are training.

Maintaining trust and Professional relationships

9. Successful relationships between doctors and patients depend on trust. To establish and maintain trust you must:

Listen to patients and respect their views; Treat patients politely; Respect patient’s privacy and dignity; Give patients the information they request about the diagnosis, treatment and

prognosis. You should provide this information to those with parental responsibility where patients are less than 18 years old. In principle the patient has the right to know his diagnosis and has the right to keep his diagnosis confidential even from his family.

However we recommend that caution should be exercised in disclosing information that is distressing to the patient. The patient’s family should be contacted and the diagnosis discussed with them prior to its disclosure to the patient, unless the patient has asked you not to discuss his diagnosis with anybody.

Be satisfied that, the patient has understood what is proposed and consents to it before treatment is started;

Respect the right of patients to be fully involved in decisions about their care;

Respect the patients right to decline treatment or decline to take part in teaching or research;

Respect the right of patients to a second opinion; Be readily accessible to patients and colleagues when you are on duty.

10. The investigations and treatment you provide must be based on your clinical judgment of the patient’s needs and the likely effectiveness of the treatment. You must not allow your views about a patients culture, beliefs, race, color, gender, age, social status, or perceived economic worth, to influence the treatment you provide.

If things go wrong.

11. If a patient under your care has suffered serious harm, you should act immediately to put matters right. You should explain to the patient and his family what has happened and the likely effects Duties & Responsibilities of Doctors

Being a doctor gives you certain rights and privileges. In return you must fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a doctor. The principles of good medical practice and the standards of competence, care, and conduct expected of you in all aspects of your professional work, are described in this booklet. They apply to all doctors. If serious problems arise which call your conduct into question, these are the standards against which you will be judged.

TOOLS AND INSTRUMENTS

India

The basic medical degrees in India are MBBS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, and BHMS. These are four and a half years long courses, followed by a year of compulsory rotator internship. The internship requires the candidate to work in all the departments for a stipulated period of time to undergo hands on training in managing patients.

The MBBS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS and BHMS courses are conducted at accredited medical colleges. While the MCI of India regulates MBBS education, the CCIM regulates the study of Integrated medicine and the CCH, the Homoeopathy medical education.

The registration of doctors is managed usually by state medical councils. A provisional registration is granted after the four and a half years of MBBS/BAMS/BUMS/BHMS course. A permanent registration as a Registered Medical Practitioner is granted only after satisfactory completion of the compulsory internship. minimum training of 7 years

After MBBS/BAMS/BSMS/BUMS/BHMS and permanent registration, a medical doctor in India is considered a General Practitioner.

An MBBS medical graduate can appear for pre-postgraduate examinations (Pre-PG) at national, state or institute levels and gain entry to a three-year MD (Doctor of Medicine) or MS (Master of Surgery) course or a two-year Diploma course in a number of specialties, including Internal Medicine (General Medicine). One can also opt to join the National Board of Examinations (NBE)'s three-year residency programme in various specialties, including Family Medicine. On successful completion of the course, one is awarded the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) degree and title. After BAMS, BSMS, BUMS and BHMS, a medical graduate can do postgraduate degrees of MD/MS in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, and MD in Homeopathy.

All general practitioners in India are protesting[1] Union Heath Ministry's propasal to start new 3.5yrs. BRMS course for rural area.

France

In France, the médecin généraliste (commonly called docteur) is responsible for the long term care in a population. This implies prevention, education, care of the diseases and traumas that do not require a specialist, and orientation towards a specialist when necessary. They also follow the severe diseases day-to-day (between the acute crises that require the intervention of a specialist).

They have a role in the survey of epidemics, a legal role (constatation of traumas that can bring compensation, certificates for the practice of a sport, death certificate, certificate for hospitalisation without consent in case of mental incapacity), and a role in the emergency care (they can be called by the samu, the French EMS). They often go to a patient's home when the patient cannot come to the consulting room (especially in case of children or old people), and have to contribute to a night and week-end duty (although this was contested in a strike in 2002).

The studies consist of six years in the university (common to all medical specialties), and three years as a junior practitioner (interne) :

the first year (PCEM1, premier cycle d'études médicales, première année, often abbreviated to P1 by students) is common with the dentists and midwifery; the rank at the final competitive examination[5] determines in which branch the student can go on;

the following two years, called propédeutique, are dedicated to the fundamental sciences: anatomy, human physiology, biochemistry, bacteriology, statistics...

the three following years are called externat and are dedicated to the study of clinical medicine; they end with a classifying examination, the rank determines in which specialty (general medicine is one of them) the student can make his internat;

the internat is three years of initial professional experience under the responsibility of a senior; the interne can prescribe, he can replace physicians,[6] and usually works in a hospital.

This ends with a doctorate, a research work which usually consist of a statistical study of cases to propose a care strategy of a specific affection (in an epidemiological, diagnostic, or therapeutic point of view).

Ireland

General Practice in Ireland largely follows the British model, with some exceptions. GP training in Ireland requires the completion of a primary medical degree. In Ireland the title of MB BCh BAO (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of the Obstetric Art) or BM BS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is awarded upon successful completion of a 4 year graduate or 5 to 6 year undergraduate degree programme in one of the country's five medical schools.

Following this a further year is spent as an Intern, rotating through medical and surgical specialities. In most, but not all instances, 6 months are spent in medicine and 6 months in surgery. Some interns can gain experience in general practice, psychiatry and other specialities. The successful completion of intern training leads to full registration with the Irish Medical Council.

Those medical practitioners wishing to pursue a career in General Practice must complete an approved training scheme. Previously completion of a training scheme was not mandatory to sit the MICGP exam (Member of the Irish College of General Practictioner) and practice as a GP in Ireland. Many doctors took up stand-alone SHO posts in the required specialities and then sat the exam without any vocational training. This route has now been abolished and vocational training is mandatory. Completion of vocational GP training in other jurisdictions (e.g. the UK) and completion of the MICGP or equivalent (e.g. MRCGP) is still possible, but anecdotal evidence would suggest Irish trained GPs are at a significant advantage when applying for Irish GP posts.

Entry to a General Practice Training Scheme is based on competitive interview. Most are of 4 years duration (one is 5 years). Generally the first 2 years are spent rotating through relevant specialities (medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics & gynaecology, psychiatry, accident & emergency, ENT etc.). Two years are then spent as a GP registrar in designated Training Practice. After successfully completing the MICGP exams, the new general practitioner is free to practice.

General practice in Ireland is a desirable career for many and competition for places on training schemes is intense. There has been much criticism of the perceived under-supply of training places and efforts are made to increase places annually. Currently there are 12 schemes - Donegal, Sligo, Western (Galway, Mayo and Roscommon), Mid-Western (Limerick,

Clare and Tipperary North Riding), Southern (Cork & Kerry), South-East (Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny and Tipperary South Riding), Midlands (Offaly, Westmeath, Laois, Kildare), North-East (Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan), Ballinasloe and 3 schemes based in Dublin.

Typically Irish GPs work exclusively with private (i.e. fee-for-service paying) patients or have a mix of public and private. So-called "public" patients are those who qualify for a medical card under the General Medical Services (or GMS) system. This is free health care, provided by the government and is means tested. Other groups such as those with specified chronic illnesses and the elderly are also entitled to a medical card. A medical card entitles the holder to free GP consultations, free medications and free hospital treatment. In order to treat medical card holders a GP must apply for and be granted a GMS list. Applications for such lists are competitive as they can be very lucurative for the GP and vacancies do not often arise.

GPs deal with the entire spectrum of medical ailments. They are well placed to implement preventative measures and to manage chronic illness. They also act as "gate-keepers" for the tertiary care system, providing referrals to specialist services when appropriate. Some GPs are employed by private agencies.

United Kingdom

NHS Medical Career Grades

Old system New system (Modernising Medical Careers)

Year 1: Pre-registration house officer (PRHO) - one year Foundation House Officer - 2 years

Year 2: Senior house officer (SHO)a minimum of two years, although often moreYear 3:

Specialty Registrar (StR)in a hospital speciality:six years

Specialty Registrar (StR)in general practice:three years

Year 4: Specialist registrarfour to six years

GP registrar- one yearYear 5: General practitioner

total time in training: 4 years

Years 6-8:General practitionertotal time in training:5 years

Year 9:

Consultanttotal time in training:minimum 7-9 years

Consultanttotal time in training:8 years

Optional Training may be extended by pursuingmedical research (usually two-three years),usually with clinical duties as well

Training may be extended by obtainingan Academic Clinical Fellowship for research.

In the United Kingdom, doctors wishing to become GPs take at least 3 years training after medical school, which is usually an undergraduate course of five to six years (or a graduate course of four to six years) leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB/BS)

Up until the year 2005, those wanting to become a General Practitioner of medicine had to do a minimum of the following postgraduate training:

one year as a pre-registration house officer (PRHO) (formerly called a house officer), in which the trainee would usually spend 6 months on a general surgical ward and 6 months on a general medical ward in a hospital;

two years as a senior house officer (SHO) - often on a General Practice Vocational Training Scheme (GP-VTS) in which the trainee would normally complete four 6-month jobs in hospital specialties such as obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, geriatric medicine, accident and emergency or psychiatry;

one year as a general practice registrar.

This process has changed under the programme Modernising Medical Careers. Medical practitioners graduating from 2005 onwards will have to do a minimum of 5 years postgraduate training:

two years of Foundation Training, in which the trainee will do a rotation around either six 4-month jobs or eight 3-month jobs - these include at least 3-months in general medicine and 3-months in general surgery, but will also include jobs in other areas;

two years as on a General Practice Vocational Training Scheme (GP-VTS) in which the trainee would normally complete four 6-month jobs in hospital specialties such as obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, geriatric medicine, accident and emergency or psychiatry;

one year as a general practice registrar.

During the one year registrar post, the medical practitioner must complete a variety of assessments in order to be allowed to practice independently as a GP. There is a knowledge-based exam with multiple choice questions called the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT). The practical examination takes the form of a "simulated surgery" in which the doctor is presented with 13 clinical cases and assessment is made of data gathering, interpersonal skills and clinical management. These Clinical Skills Assessments (CSA) are held on three or four occasions throughout the year and all take place in the specially designed centre at Croydon. Finally throughout the year the doctor must complete an electronic portfolio which is made up of case-based discussions, critique of videoed consultations and reflective entries into a "learning log".

Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners was previously optional. However, new trainee GP's from 2008 are now compulsorily required to complete the nMRCGP. They will not be allowed to practice without this postgraduate qualification. After passing the exam or assessment, they are awarded the specialist qualification of MRCGP – Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Previously qualified general practitioners (prior to 2008) are not required to hold the MRCGP, but it is considered desirable. In addition, many hold qualifications such as the DCH (Diploma in Child Health of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health) and/or the DRCOG (Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) and/or the DGH (Diploma in Geriatric Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians). Some General Practitioners also hold the MRCP (Member of the Royal College of Physicians) or other specialist qualifications, but generally only if they had a hospital career, or a career in another speciality, before training in General Practice.

There are many arrangements under which general practitioners can work in the UK. While the main career aim is becoming a principal or partner in a GP surgery, many become salaried or non-principal GPs, work in hospitals in GP-led acute care units, or perform locum work. Whichever of these roles they fill the vast majority of GPs receive most of their income from the National Health Service (NHS). Principals and partners in GP surgeries are self-employed, but they have contractual arrangements with the NHS which give them considerable predictability of income.

The (MB ChB/BS) medical degree is entirely equivalent to the North American MD medical degree. Medical practitioners educated in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Great Britain have more ability to move between the countries than other national systems [citation needed].

Visits to GP surgeries are free in all countries of the United Kingdom, but charges for prescription only medicine vary. Wales has already abolished all charges, and Scotland has embarked on a phased reduction in charges to be completed by 2011. In England, however, most adults of working age who are not on benefits have to pay a standard charge for prescription only medicine of £7.10 per item from April 2008.

GPs in the United Kingdom may operate in community health centres.

Recent reforms to the NHS have included changing the GP contract. General practitioners are now not required to work unsociable hours, and get paid to some extent according to their performance, e.g. numbers of patients treated, what treatments were administered, and the health of their catchment area, through the Quality and Outcomes Framework. They are encouraged to prescribe medicines by their generic names. The IT system used for assessing their income based on these criteria is called QMAS. A GP can expect to earn about £70,000 a year without doing any overtime, although this figure is extremely variable. A 2006 report[9] noted that some GPs were earning £250k per year, with the highest-paid on £300k for working alone across five islands in the Outer Hebrides. These potential earnings have been the subject of much criticism in the press for being excessive.[10] However, a full time GMS or PMS practice partner can now expect to earn around £110,000 before tax, while a salaried GP earns on average £74,000.[11]

Australia and New Zealand

General Practice in Australia and New Zealand has undergone many changes in training requirements over the past decade. The basic medical degree in Australia is the MBBS, and New Zealand the MBChB degree (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), which has traditionally been attained after completion of a five or six-year course. Over the last few years, an ever increasing number of four-year medical programs that require a previous bachelors degree have become more common and now account for up to half of all Australian medical graduates. After graduating, a one- or two-year internship (dependent on state) in the public hospital system is required for full registration, and before specialist training begins. For general practice training, the medical practitioner then applies to enter the two-year "Australasian General

Practice Training Program", a combination of coursework and apprenticeship type training leading to the awarding of the FRACGP (Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) or FRNZCGP (Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners), if successful. Since 1996 this qualification or its equivalent has been required in order for the GP to access Medicare rebates as a general practitioner. Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance system, and without access to it, a practitioner cannot effectively work in private practice in Australia. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners also has a reciprocal agreement with the American Board of Family Medicine as the Australasian general practitioner training program is recognised as equivalent to the US family medicine residency programs in the United States.[citation needed]

In New Zealand, most GPs work within a practice that is part of a Primary Health Organisation (PHO). These are funded at a population level, based on the characteristics of a practice's enrolled population (referred to as capitation-based funding). Fee-for-service arrangements still exist with other funders such as Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and Ministry of Social Development (MSD), as well as receiving co-payments from patients to top-up the capitation-based funding. In NZ new graduates must complete the RNZCGP GPEP (Gneral Practice Education Program) Stages I and II in order to be granted the title FRNZCGP, which includes the PRIMEX assessment and further CME and Peer group learning sessions as directed by the RNZCGP. Holders of the award of FRNZCGP may apply for specialist recognition with the New Zealand Medical Council (MCNZ), after which they are considered specialists in General Practice by the council and the community.

Increasingly a portion of income is derived from government payments for participation in chronic disease management programs.

There is a shortage of GPs in rural areas and increasingly outer metropolitan areas of large cities, which has led to the utilisation of overseas trained doctors (international medical graduates (IMGs)).

Pay

Pay of medical practitioners varies widely in different countries throughout the world. In the UK, for example, GPs can currently expect to earn an average salary of £53,300 to £80,000 per annum. More experienced practitioners can earn between £80,000 and £120,000; and hospital consultants can earn between £73,400 and £173,700. In some remote areas, specifically on Scottish islands, GPs and Consultants could earn £250,000 and beyond. The highest paid GP receives £300,000 for working alone across several Islands on the Scottish coast. Whereas in Malaysia, a GP is expect to earn an average salary of RM50,000 to RM80,000 per year.

WORK CONDITION

General Practice is an essential part of medical care in all countries. The general practitioner is the first point of contact for most medical services. General Practice allows individual doctors a wide choice of where to practice, with whom and how.

General Practitioners provide a complete spectrum of care within the local community: dealing with problems that often combine physical, psychological and social components. They

increasingly work in teams with other professions, helping patients to take responsibility for their own health. They often assisted by a small staff of nurses and other administrative personnel.

General Practitioners can work in hospital environments, but they usually work in clinics or offer house calls. There are opportunities to become involved in hospital work, for example, as a clinical assistant, in education of those training to be general practitioners or in local issues. They attend patients in surgery and primary care emergency centers if clinically necessary.

General Practitioners call on an extensive knowledge of medical conditions to be able to assess a problem and decide on the appropriate course of action. They know how and when to intervene, through treatment, prevention and education, to promote the health of their patients and families.

Some general practitioners work from 8am till 9pm throughout the whole week including weekends.

Rates of compensation in this branch of the medical profession vary. In some regions, a general practitioner may be able to command a very high salary, especially in remote regions where specialists are not readily available, requiring a general practitioner to have a diverse skill set. Other areas of the world may offer less pay to general practitioners, combined with very high costs for malpractice insurance, which can make the field less appealing to some medical students.

General Practitioners in Malaysia on grades UD41 earns about RM3,665 salary with allowance between RM500 till RM1000 every month. For six to seven years, they will then move to the higher scale of UD44 where the salary is up to 50%. General Practitioners on

grades UD44 will be getting at least RM6,000 including allowances every month. Also, doctors that worked with the government at a period of time will be given pension.

The wide mix of General Practice is one of the major attractions. There can be huge variation in the needs of individual patients during a single surgery. No other specialty offers such a wide remit of treating everything from pregnant women to babies and from mental

illness to sports medicine. Individual doctors may develop special interests in diverse areas. General Practice gives the opportunity to prevent illness and not just treat it.

IMPLICATION FOR LIFESTYLE

Individual general practitioners can reach a relatively high income early in their career and it is one of the specialties most suited for part time and flexible working. General practitioners are professional workers, along with accountants, architects, engineers, actuaries and so on.

Unlike politicians, doctors are not provided with security. General Practitioners interact directly with lots of people and see a variety of medical conditions. My status really depends on how well I do my job and how well I treat my patients as well as other people.

Work as a general practitioner can be very rewarding, although it can take time to build up a practice. They tend to build up a practice of repeat patients, establishing relationships with patients from childhood through old age, and they can do everything from managing a chronic condition to addressing an emerging medical concern.

General Practitioners are like any of us, who live in a house where we call home. They need not to travel much, in fact, most of them work in the same clinic for as long as they work. Some of them may travel to treat patients at their houses, but most of the times are spent in the clinic or hospital.

As tough as it could get being a general practitioner, they are assisted with nurses and others in doing their job, which will ease up a bit of the burden. GPs who have worked for a few years will get used to the tight schedule. Being a GP, I think I am still able to continue with my hobbies and sporting activities, maybe not daily or as often as that, but occasionally during my free times and holidays.

NATURE OF WORK

A doctor must complete several years of school – and when they are through they most often have long and irregular hours which can include nights and weekends. (People don’t just get sick on Monday through Friday from 8-5.) A doctor may have to rush to the hospital to deal

with an emergency; therefore, it is important that a doctor be able to maintain a somewhat flexible schedule.

A working day lasting more than ten hours is not uncommon. Working at 8am to 6pm is quite adequate. General practitioners face a long list of the tasks needed to cram into the day. However, according to Dr Garner, after 28 years in general practice - all at the same surgery – he appears relaxed, despite not quite knowing exactly what is coming next through the door.

"The nice thing about general practice is the variety," he says. "You never know what the day will hold."

Also, one of the good things being a general practitioner is having to work in one place for a long time that people know you.

Besides that, lunchtime is not spent relaxing over a newspaper or strolling around the shops. At times, doctors join other members of the practice for a weekly meeting where they discuss issues affecting the practice. Eating lunch while discussing complex patients and then returning back to finish the paper work - or computer work is quite normal. Technology has seen the demise of paper records behind the reception desk. General Practitioners usually leave at around 6:30pm and sometimes could hold up until 8pm.

GPs work as a team in small private offices or clinics, often assisted by a small staff of nurses and other administrative personnel. Since GPs don’t normally give surgeries, they usually work with tools. Common examples are stethoscopes, electrocardiographs (devices for recording electrocardiograms), ultrasound and X-ray pictures, as well as further measuring and diagnostic equipment (they differ according to the specialization). Last but not least, a doctor uses the spoken word addressed to the patient. They act as general primary care. They treat patients and, in turn, they refer patients to other specialists when more complex care is required.

NEED BY SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY

Obviously, a doctor is someone who is needed by the society and community. Without a doctor, who else is going to give you medical treatment? In Malaysia, we are currently lack of doctors. In fact, anywhere in the world, a doctor is needed.

Science and technology contributes a lot in the medical section. It has improved our healthcare and increased our standard of living. The changes in technology, in my opinion, would not likely to effect the demand of doctors like it affected, for example, security guards. For example now, with the help of modern technology, people can use alarms in their homes instead of hiring a security guard. We need a doctor’s personal skills and just technology wont be enough.

ENTRY, TRAINING AND PROSPECTS

You need to have graduated from a medical school, have positive attitudes to people, reliability, concentration, precision, a quick reaction and judgment, patience, good memory, the ability to organize one's own work, a talent for improvisation. In certain specializations (e.g. in surgery) manual skill, physical fitness, and good eyesight are important.

To become a doctor, we need to be successful in our academics. Science subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics are the important subjects that must be taken in SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia), including Mathematics and Additional Mathematics, so that we have the basics and guidelines to further our studies in the medical course.

Pre-med students have several requirements to fulfill before applying to medical school. A medical student then must pass an entrance containing some basic medical subjects including: Biology, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physics, Medical Biostatistics, and English for medical uses. Many undergraduates choose to major in Biology but medical schools encourage students to choose a major that can provide the most diverse amount of knowledge. Take courses in a variety of subjects but include plenty of math and science courses.

Diligent, disciplined, responsible, and organized are just some of the characteristics a student should have.

A student’s overall GPA, a GPA in science courses, and a GPA in non-science courses are calculated separately. Medical Schools prefer students with a GPA of at least 3.5 in each GPA category (based on the US 4.0 scale). It is best to do well from freshman year but improvement over the years is also considered. If a student has trouble in any one course, they can still be accepted to medical school. They will have the chance to show improvement by retaking a similar course.

After graduating from college, they have to go through orientation week to be trained before being a fully qualified doctor.

RELATED OCCUPATION

Performing any occupation requires certain knowledge. Closely related occupation with a general practitioners for example is a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of mental illness. They work in public or private hospitals, medical or health institutes or a private hospital.

Besides that is a pediatrician. A pediatrician makes diagnoses, plans and provides medical care to children from their birth until the age of 18 years. They may work either as an employee or as a private practitioner at a clinic within the network of state-owned or private outpatients' departments of the primary child care service. They may find job opportunities also in other health service establishments, such as hospitals, health centers, sanatoria, mental hospitals, child sanatoria, centers for the treatment of drug addiction and other institutions.

other occupations involving some similar knowledge or activities as a general practitioner are such as a pharmacist, paramedic, physiotherapist, anthropologist, geneticist, microbiologist, faith healer, midwife, psychotherapist and so on.

SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Being personable is a great quality for doctors. Because doctors must interact with a variety of personnel and patients possessing this quality can certainly be beneficial to them. Doctors must also be able to listen to numerous patients’ health concerns and respond appropriately. Clear and effective communication, both verbal and written, can be a tremendous asset for any doctor.

A doctor must complete several years of school – and when they are through they most often have long and irregular hours which can include nights and weekends. (People don’t just get sick on Monday through Friday from 8-5.) A doctor may have to rush to the hospital to deal with an emergency; therefore, it is important that a doctor be able to maintain a somewhat flexible schedule.

Personal qualities should include:

Ability to care about patients and their relatives A commitment to providing high quality care Awareness of ones own limitations Ability to seek help when appropriate Commitment to keeping up to date and improving quality of ones own performance Appreciation of the value of team work Clinical competence Organizational ability

Essential skills should include:

Organised and professional manner. Comforting manner. Excellent communication skills. Able to work as an individual and as part of a multi-disciplined unit. Be knowledgeable of both your skills and limitations. Real desire to help patients get better. Desire to keep studying in order to keep up-to-date with any advances in the diagnosis

and treatment of patients. Attention to detail. Able to work with a wide range of individuals.

INTERVIEW

Below are the details for the interview between me and Dr Roselinda bt. Arelhi, a doctor, or more specifically, a general practitioner in KLINIK IDZHAM, Bukit Antarabangsa. The following interview was held on June 19, 2010 at 10.13PM.

SAYA : [door open] Assalamualaikum, aunty. [salam] (Dr Roselinda is the mother of a close friend of mine, Ain. That is why I called her ‘aunty’)

DR ROSELINDA : Wa’alaikumsalam. [smiles sweetly]

SAYA : [sits down] Aunty apa khabar?

DR ROSELINDA : Ohh, baik aje.

SAYA : Sebenarnya, saya interview ni untuk kerja sekolah saya. Kitorang kena buat FolioKerjaya.

DR ROSELINDA : Hmm, tauu. Dah pernah ramai dah student datang buat interview. [laughs]

SAYA : [laughs] … Ada a few things saya nak tanya, [takes out a piece of paper] Ok. First, what is it like to be a doctor? I mean, macam mana work condition dia. Aunty selalu kerja dari pukul berapa sampai pukul berapa?

DR ROSELINDA : 7 pagi sampai pukul 3 petang.

SAYA : Oh.. Memang tiap-tiap hari eh macam tu?

DR ROSELINDA : A’ah. Isnin hingga jumaat.

SAYA : Wah, straight forward betul jawapan. Camne nak panjang interview ni? Hmm… Habis tu, kalau malam-malam camni, aunty still kerja jugak?

DR ROSELINDA : Oh. Hari jumaat dan sabtu saja lah. Aunty kerja malam, dari pukul 10 sampai 12 tengah hari esok. Kalau hari-hari lain tu macam biasalah. Isnin hingga jumaat siang, dari pukul 7 pagi sampai 3 petang.

SAYA : Wow, malam-malam (buta) pun kerja.

DR ROSELINDA : Mestilah. [giggles]

SAYA : Habis tu, kalau hari ahad, aunty kerja jugak ke?

DR ROSELINDA : Yeah, tapi hari ahad aunty kerja kat tempat lain lah. Aunty tak kerja kat sini.

SAYA : [nodding head while taking notes] Wah, hardworking betul lah aunty ni… Habis tu, aunty tak cuti lah ni, weekends pun. Cuti kalau setahun berapa hari?

DR ROSELINDA : Hmm… kalau setahun, cuti 40 hari. Ye, 40 hari. Termasuk sekali public holidays.

SAYA : Hmm… okay. Kalau doctor macam aunty ni, income dia monthly ke, daily atau weekly?

DR ROSELINDA : Income monthly.

SAYA : Ok. [pause] Aunty rasa, worth it tak jadi doctor ni. Income dia lumayan tak dengan kerja-kerja yang aunty dah buat?

DR ROSELINDA : Worth it lah kot [laughs]. Hmm… InsyaAllah... Aunty rasa berbaloi dah.

SAYA : What is a typical day like?

DR ROSELINDA : Pagi-pagi aunty pergi klinik. Hmm… Of course lah treat patients. [laughs] Pastu pukul 3 balik rumah (bersama-sama) dengan family. Rumah pun dekat je. [laughs]

SAYA: So, aunty memang happy lah kerja kat sini?

DR ROSELINDA : Ye, happy kerja. Kalau tak, aunty tak duduk dekat sini. [laughs] InsyaAllah lah, aunty happy. [nods head]

SAYA : [nods head too] So, nak tanya. Kalau medic ni, nak amik course dia, susah tak?

DR ROSELINDA : [long pause] Belajar tak ada lah susah sangat. Sebab dulu minat. [laughs] Aunty memang minat belajar medic ni, so tak susah lah. [laughs]

SAYA : Oh. Waktu aunty belajar dulu tu tak pernah lah rasa macam nak tukar course ke apa…

DR ROSELINDA : Tak ada. Tak pernah fikir nak tukar course. Aunty memang minat nak jadi doktor.

SAYA : Okie. Apa personal qualities yang perlu ada pada seorang doktor ni. What does it takes to become a doctor?

DR ROSELINDA : First, kita kena ada minat. Ya lah, minat tu penting. Sifat semulajadi pula, kena lemah lembut… ye lah kan, nak treat patient yang sakit, perlu lemah lembut. Lepas tu, kena ada sifat tolong-menolong, ikhlas buat kerja… Belajar pun kenalah rajin-rajin [laughs]

SAYA : [laughs] Hmm… Aunty memang dari dulu eh nak jadi doktor ni? Ke… ada cita-cita lain sebelum ni.

DR ROSELINDA : Masa 17 tahun baru rasa nak jadi doktor. Sebelum tu, biasalah kan, waktu kecik-kecik. [laughs] Macam-macam cita-cita lain, berubah-ubah pulak tu.

SAYA : [laughs] Ok lah, tu je kot nak tanya.

DR ROSELINDA : Hmm, kalau ada pape nak tanya, boleh contact je Ain ye. [smiles]

SAYA : [laughs] Okay. Aunty boleh tak… [taking out another piece of paper] sign kat sini, haaa. Sign je kat mana-mana.

DR ROSELINDA : Kat mana-mana yeh? Aunty sign bawah ni lah.

SAYA : Thank you. Aunty ada tak business card? Cop ke, pape, for proof.

DR ROSELINDA : Business card aunty tak bawak lah. Tapi cop ye aunty ada. [stands up from seat] Nanti aunty cop kat depan, pastu amik kat kaunter yeh.

SAYA : Okay, thanks, aunty. [salam] Kirim salam kat Ain. [smiles] Thank you.

DR ROSELINDA : Iya, sama-sama. [smiles] Bye.

SAYA : Buh-bye.

_________________

Tunku Atiqah binti Tengku Hamnet

34, Jalan BJ/3, Taman Bukit Jaya,Bukit Antarabangsa, 68000, Ampang.

home: 03-41057136cell: 017-2039300

email: tk_atiqah@hotmail.com

Education

MRSM Kepala Batas, Kepala Batas, P. Pinang2009 – 2010

Academics

Captain, Girls Basketball Team, 2010Member, Robotic Club, 2010Mentor for Science subjects, 2010

Volunteer

MRSM Kepala Batas Debate Program, 2009

Interests / Activities

. Reading story books

. Ranger Puteri

. Guitar

Computer Skills

. Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

. Internet