Page 132 - HKU Surgery 110 Anniversary E-Book

Chapter V. Embracing the Modern Age

Training Then and Now Modern views opportunities and quality of life. I mean, a

surgeon’s quality of life takes into account
Young doctors say their training is job satisfaction. My personal opinion is
nonetheless demanding – and yet they that we cannot compare ourselves to non-
appreciate why this is so. academic centres. What we are famous
for is expertise and our dedication to
Dr Alvin Siu, who is now a Consultant work. It means that our trainees’ or staff’s
in colorectal surgery at Queen Mary personal time or quality of life might be
Hospital, recalls his early training. “My compromised. It’s really about what you’re
internship at Queen Mary started in 2013 looking for in life. We are not looking for
and it was quite harsh. We had long hours people who prioritise quality of life.”
compared with my colleagues in other
hospitals because we were expected to Dr Chu added: “At the end of the day,
join all the grand rounds and present I am still in the Department because
during rounds or multidisciplinary I enjoy what I’m doing. It’s long hours
meetings. There’s a lot of pressure, but and difficult work, with a lot of extra
essentially it helped me grow up. It forced academic work and presentations. But
us to learn and get a taste of what clinical this is where I get my satisfaction from.
practice is really like. I think it was a good It’s not just patient care. It’s also the
way to learn how to become a doctor.” academic achievements and bonds we
create within the Department. We are
Dr Rosemarie Chu, a Resident, felt the very close. I enjoy spending time with
rigorous training was to be expected. everyone. It’s my family.”
“There’s always a balance, trading

As the saying goes, the more things The whole world is doing this. Young
change, the more they stay the same. people are also more questioning. In the
Internships and early residency are always old days, the boss would say, don’t ever
characterised by long hours, whether in ask why. Now, young people want more
the 1970s or today. Some of the harshest information. They get it from social media
aspects of that have been moderated, and and listen to their peers,” said Professor
attitudes towards the demands on interns Simon Law.
are different, but there is also a realisation
among both older and younger doctors Similarly, Professor Stephen Cheng noted:
that hard work is a necessity to becoming “The Department’s culture has changed.
a good surgeon. In GB Ong’s and John Wong’s days, you
put the Department and the Head of
The good old days Department first without question. I
would do things to please John Wong. I
As senior professors in the Department would sacrifice my time and be willing
recall, the long hours they put in were to work without asking for anything in
often demanded by the hierarchical return. Now, it is difficult to promote or
working structure and different norms fire someone. It creates a culture that’s
of the time. very simple, very practical. What is in it
for me? I don’t think that’s actually wrong,
“We used to hang out after rounds for no it’s not a sin to look after yourself, but it’s
reason than waiting for the boss to finish. very difficult to manage people.”
Now, young doctors leave at 5.15pm.

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