Offer - Rejected!

While at work this afternoon, I made up my mind regarding the offer of employment at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore as one of their medical officers. With the help of a forums site, I learned a lot about the job description of medical officers (or clinical associates), and their condition/s outside of the hospital. Plus, the contract said I was going to work under the Department of Geriatric Medicine. I know for a fact that they have an aging population, and it was mentioned to me during the interview. I remember I told my interviewer that I just had 1 month rotation at Geriatric Medicine during my last year in senior residency but it was less intensive - mostly giving prescriptions to the patients left & right so that they can buy their medications at the pharmacy. Little did I know that it was going to be offered to me seriously.

It wasn't an easy decision but deep down, I felt that that job is not for me. On the other hand, it can be a good stepping stone for possible employment at New Zealand, Australia, or other Commonwealth country. I asked myself several questions -- what are my intentions there, knowing that I have less chances of being recognised a family physician there since I didn't earn my medical degree there. Am I after the practice itself? Am I going to receive potential recognition from the Singapore Medical Council in the future as a family physician? Or am I just there for the money? When my contract ends, what then? Is the monthly pay justifiable or sufficient enough to shoulder all of my expenses? Most importantly, am I going to be happy there? Well of course, we'll never know until it happens.

I know other physicians will gladly grab the opportunity if they were in my shoes. Sa kanila na lang. But for me, thanks but no thanks.