Listen’s to Today’s Episode

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Episode’s Description

There’s an unspoken belief in the medical fraternity: if you truly care about healing and making a difference, you stay in the public healthcare sector.

It’s where doctors serve the nation, work through unimaginable challenges, and carry the weight of a noble calling. But leaving the public sector often comes with prejudice-seen as abandoning passion for profit.

In this episode of Postcall: Beyond the White Coat, Dr. Selina Chew sits down with Dr. Jeffrey, an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon who has navigated this very dilemma.

From his early days as a houseman in Kuantan to his time as a medical officer in Sabah, Dr. Jeffrey climbed the ranks to become a subspecialist in robotic hip and knee arthroplasty.

Despite the setbacks, including failing his subspecialty exams on the first attempt, his grit and perseverance shaped his journey.

Dr. Jeffrey opens up about the challenges of the public healthcare system, the unfairness of unregulated subspecialty exams, and the decision to move into private practice at Sunway Medical Centre.

He also shares his mission to pioneer robotic surgery in Malaysia and addresses the stigma surrounding doctors who transition to private healthcare.

This conversation dives deep into the human side of medicine-grit, failure, resilience, and redefining healthcare differently.

Whether you’re a doctor, aspiring surgeon, or simply curious about the untold struggles and triumphs of healthcare professionals, this episode offers a raw and inspiring glimpse into the life of a doctor determined to make a difference

To catch up on our previous discussion, check out our last podcast episode, where we covered Why This Doctor Left Clinical Medicine for Pharma. Alternative Careers for Doctors. Also read on Three Important Considerations for Doctors Contemplating a Career Change here.