Fresh approaches needed to reignite interest in medicine, says expert

Free Malaysia Today

23-06-2025

Once regarded the pinnacle of academic achievement, pursuing a career in medicine is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path.
KUALA LUMPUR : There was a time when becoming a doctor was seen as one of the most prestigious career paths; when local universities could no longer cope with the surge in applications for medical studies.
Many parents were once willing to spend large sums to send their children abroad to study medicine after failing to secure places in local universities. Times, however, have changed, and the field is now increasingly being overlooked.
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad recently urged straight-A SPM students to consider pursuing medicine at the university level. He also expressed concern over students' declining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, warning that it could have long-term implications for the country's medical sector.
This decline in interest is acknowledged by Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, who notes that today's youths are more informed and career-conscious, having grown up in a vastly different environment from that of previous generations.
'They are more critical when evaluating career choices, often prioritising work-life balance. While medicine was once regarded as the pinnacle of academic achievement, it is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path,' she told Bernama.
'This especially when compared to emerging fields like technology, entrepreneurship, data science, or artificial intelligence.'
Further discouraging high-achieving students from a career in medicine are the social media narratives that highlight hardships, long working hours, and perceived lack of fair compensation.
Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin.
'This trend reflects society's growing tendency to prioritise income over impact. Today, students who aspire to become doctors are often discouraged by the perceived academic burden and the significant personal sacrifices involved,' Norsham added.
She pointed out that ongoing issues within the national healthcare system – such as unstable contract positions, excessive workloads, and toxic work cultures, including bullying or high-pressure environments with minimal support – have become red flags for young people.
At the same time, social media glamourises other careers as being more flexible, expressive, and less stressful.
Norsham also believes the declining appeal of medicine is partly due to how the profession is treated as 'guilty until proven innocent' when it comes to patient care. Every medical decision carries inherent risk, and as such, 'every action taken to save a patient, no matter how small, invites scrutiny and accountability', she said.
Restoring true purpose
To reignite interest in the profession, Norsham suggests regularly reminding both practitioners and medical students of its true value: the nobility of saving lives.
She believes a more holistic approach is needed, starting with restoring joy to the learning process.
'The younger generation is not afraid of sacrifice – they just want that sacrifice to be valued and supported by a fair system. Now is the time for all stakeholders, especially experts and influential medical figures, to step forward and lead the change.'
Norsham believes young people need to be reminded of the true purpose of taking up medicine: saving lives.
Norsham also stressed the importance of nurturing interest in medicine from secondary school, giving students early exposure to the profession.
'If they see that being a doctor isn't a burden but a meaningful life path, they'll choose it willingly. But this requires collective readiness to shape a more appealing and competitive career path in medicine, so we can present a more convincing narrative to students.'
Relatedly, she believes medical curriculums today can be both fun and innovative without compromising the integrity of the field.
'Creative learning methods like simulations, virtual reality, gamification, and story- or visual-based teaching not only strengthen comprehension but also foster positive emotion, which is vital for sustaining student interest,' she said.
'Let's restore the core strength of this profession: the healing spirit. Today, we must first 'heal the young healers' by restoring their mental health, motivation, and work environment.'