Joey M.D.

I just attended our annual convention and met some colleagues and seniors who I haven’t seen for quite a while.

We learned that some of our colleagues are actually cutting back on their practice, some even considering themselves semi retired.  Some have given up on surgeries.

Why?  Many people may not realize it but the practice of medicine is very stressful.  A relative once asked me if we do experience stress coz she says business is so stressful and difficult, and she thinks we have it so much easier, and we earn more.  I had to explain that that was not the case.  It’s a stressful profession, and we don’t really earn as much as some people think we do, unless we are willing to put in long hours and work more, sacrificing family time.  Like any other work.  I guess it’s a case of the grass looking greener on the other side of the fence.

Anyway, I’ve also learned that some ophthalmologists have either shifted careers or taken another “sideline”.  We laughingly said that practicing Ophthalmology is just their hobby.  For instance, we know someone who is a professional photographer.  Some have a part in their family business.  Some are into MLM, stock trading and what have you.  Some have Jollibee franchises. We all recognize that the earning stops when you stop practicing.  We don’t get retirement pay, we don’t get 13th month pay (unless you get employed by a government hospital, in which case your salary is very limited).  We have a lot of overhead that we still need to pay for even if we go on vacation.  That’s why we do need to invest or have an alternative career in case we can’t continue practicing for whatever reason.

As for me, I am trying to find  a niche in the blogging world.  It’s a bonus that I love the net and I love the blogging world, so it’s not really so difficult for me (although I have been having a hard time going online lately because I don’t really have much free time).  If I find that I earn enough from my alternative career, then I get to practice medicine because I love it, and not because I need to earn money from it.  :)  Wish me luck.