Behind the walls of the medical profession, many doctors are experiencing a silent struggle in their hearts. For some, this wall is an insurmountable obstacle in their careers, and for others, it is a catalyst for them to keep climbing. But within this wall, in the face of illness and the reality of life and death, every angel in white may reach a common crossroads: stay within the system or bravely take that step?
I am an associate chief physician who has served in a tertiary hospital for many years. From my initial career in the industry with ideals and responsibilities to my current responsibilities, my career path has been both rewarding and stressful. Once upon a time, I thought I would be able to swim against the current, but gradually I realized that under China's unique medical system, each of us is like a voyager stranded on an island in the middle of the ocean.
To put it bluntly and truthfully, as doctors, we face all kinds of challenges and dilemmas. From the constant rhythm of work day after day to the often tense doctor-patient relationship, from the harsh evaluation of our work results by public opinion to the powerlessness of not being able to save every life in our hearts - these are the realities we must face head-on.
In the office, I have witnessed too many families struggling because of the cost of treatment. Although the call for reform has been sounding for a long time, the difficulty and high cost of medical treatment are still unavoidable problems in front of ordinary people. Although the health care system provides some relief, it is clearly far from enough. How to balance the delicate and fragile relationship between doctors and patients is a test for every practitioner.
Do you remember when you chose to become a doctor, when glory and dreams were intertwined? However, as the years go by, it is not easy to choose to leave after many years of deep cultivation in the system. Will the outside world accept us, will we regret giving up a stable income and job title? These questions are like a thick cloud over our minds.
Interestingly, in today's society, delivery workers seem to have more rights to fair competition and free adjustment of their working hours. They don't have walls, they just face the tick-and-take timer bouncing on the screen of their phone – a new level playing field with simple and straightforward rules. In contrast, doctors, a traditionally respected and skilled profession, seem to be tighter on the line.
Looking to the future, in the context of rapid technological development and social structural changes, even having rich experience and knowledge may not guarantee that we will always be at the forefront of the industry. The trend of younger people has led many senior doctors to reflect on their roles and values.
It may be a bit cruel to look critically at the fact that some geriatricians still insist on working on the operating table – do they really think about the safety and efficiency of the procedure, or is it just for the sake of personal reputation or conforming to a certain image? Looking at the core of the problem through the surface will lead us to re-examine the direction of the profession as a whole.
Through my glasses, my brushstrokes, my words, in this essay I try to lead the reader into a world that is real but rarely understood by the outside world - what is the complex and tangled but deep and tenacious story behind the angel in white?
In short, when discussing the way forward, it is undeniable that there are challenges and opportunities both inside and outside the system. Standing at the crossroads of their careers, those silent decisions carry unspeakable but unusually real heavyweight considerations.