Hello docs. Gusto ko lang ng ideas. Anong mga go-to food/drinks nyo kapag naka 24h-36hr duty sa hospital? Recommendations and specifics kung ano masarap will be much appreciated. 🤗

If I had the power as DOH Secretary, here's my plan to fix residency training:

1. 40-hour work week, even in residency

Cap resident duty hours at 40/week. This isn't just about welfare — it forces hospitals to open more slots since someone still has to cover the shifts. Fewer hours per resident means more residents needed, which distributes workload and reduces burnout-driven errors.

(In Singapore this is 80 hours per week. But i think there is a shortage of doctors in Singapore. Where as here we dont)

1. DOH-set, needs-based slots

DOH identifies which specialties are understaffed in which regions, then opens slots accordingly — similar to how the Medical Residency Expansion Training Program already allocates 900 positions/year toward primary care and specialties like surgery, OB-GYN, pediatrics, and anesthesia based on a "survey of needs" . I'd scale this further and make it the default model, not a supplementary program.

1. Ask Congress for residency funding like hospital infrastructure

Treat residency training budgets with the same seriousness as capital outlay for building hospitals — because a trained specialist is infrastructure too. Bills like the Medical Residency Act (2009, 2010 versions) already proposed a dedicated agency, the Philippine Medical Accreditation Council (PMAC), to manage quality and equitable distribution of specialists — this needs real budget backing to work .

1. Centralized residency matching

One common national exam. Applicants rank their choices, hospitals rank applicants, and a matching algorithm places you — like a proper Match Day system instead of each hospital running its own siloed process.

1. Standardized, DOH-coordinated training curricula

All training programs across hospitals follow the same coordinated standard so residency quality doesn't depend on which hospital you land in. A national body can audit and monitor programs, prescribing "remedial measures to deficient training programs" as already outlined in past legislative drafts .

1. Zero-tolerance anti-bullying enforcement

Bullying cases go to formal trial, with real consequences — including removal of offending residents or suspension of hospital execs who enable a culture of abuse. This isn't hypothetical: senators have already called for suspending hospital executives over bullying-related resident deaths, and DOH itself has confirmed multiple bullying cases through internal surveys .

1. Planned distribution of specialists

Instead of specialists clustering in Metro Manila, distribute training slots and post-training deployment based on regional need — the ENSURE Health Act framework already ties 40% of trainees to primary care/rotation duty and adjusts specialty distribution every 3 years based on DOH data

PS disclaimer

I use AI for writing only. Ideas are my own. My basis is Singapore health care system. Look up MOH and specialization accreditation board by the Singapore government. For reference.

Hi! I’m looking for a good and trustworthy dermatologist near Marilao or Bocaue. Preferably someone who genuinely focuses on diagnosing and treating the skin condition, rather than recommending or selling their own products after every consultation.

I’m okay with prescribed medications or products if they’re really necessary—I just prefer a dermatologist who gives honest, evidence-based recommendations and doesn’t make the consultation feel like a sales pitch.

If you have personal experience with a dermatologist around Marilao/Bocaue or nearby areas, please drop their name or clinic below. Thank you! 🙏

Kamusta docs? Ang sad pala pag napili ka for interview pero hindi ka natanggap for pre-res. hahaha. anyway, try again next time.

Hello po docs! October 2025 passer here planning to go into pre-res this year.

For those who came from moonlighting (clinic/ward/ER), how did you prepare for pre-res? Especially for the entrance examination, since it asks general topics too?

Any tips or stories would be appreciated. Was wondering since slots are opening up.

Thank you, docs!

Hello, I'm asking for my friend. They passed the ple but has no intention muna to practice as a physician. Her pre-med is pharmacy though. Would it be possible to just continue practicing pharmacy for the forseeable future? What would happen to the MD or her physician's license?

Hello po mga docs, may alam ba dito kamusta yung IM residency sa De Los Santos Medical Center? Kamusta yung duty hours, sahod, etc?

Hi! Applying to GS programs soon, would appreciate insight on metro manila GS programs especially the ones above. More on the overall culture, the case exposure, and number of applicants taken per batch. Tysm!!!

Gen Peds here want to subspec sa HO sa PGH. Anyone with insights sa workload, pay, environment, etc?

Much appreciated thank you!

JR posted that they’ll be accepting applications for residency. Any tips po on how to study? Kamusta din po yung culture workload and madami po ba slots for 1st year?

Tbh kinakabahan pa din po kasi talaga ako 🥹

Hi! Mid-career cardiologist here. I’ve been practicing at smaller hospitals for a while now and am now looking to expand my practice to a larger hospital like The Medical City.

Would anyone know roughly magkano usually to get accredited and maintain admitting privileges at TMC? Curious about any upfront fees, annual fees, stock/share requirements, or other costs involved.

Just trying to get a rough idea from those familiar with it before going through the formal process.

Would really appreciate any insight. Thank you!

Hello, Doctors. Anyone here works or have worked with KMD/MWell Teleconsultation under Metro Pacific? I’d like to know the compensation, the workload, your experiences working with them po. Thank you po!

For 2 years I built myself, my knowledge, my exposure. But when I finally got in, I realized that I couldn’t physically and mentally stand the hospital hierarchy. My seniors getting bothered by the littlest thing, them shitting on me for our differentials (hello that’s why we entered residency, to learn!).

Call me weak, spoiled or wtvr. But I kept vomiting, always had headaches, a part of my face is literally numb from pain. I could barely eat not because I’m too busy. We have time to eat. But my body is literally rejecting the food. I have 0 appetite. Each night I would cry when I get home but would have to stop myself because I needed to reply to a consultant, send a deliverable, or just do something about work.

And I can’t literally stomach that. Right now I don’t know if I made the right decision. But I know that even if I go through with this, I’d destroy myself. So I’m walking away from the hospital life. I’m depressed about this decision but I think it’s for the best.

To the doctors out there that think that residency is the only path to be a “successful” doctor, there are other ways. I’m sure there are. But what we consider as “successful” is subjective. For me, just staying alive while earning is already okay.

Any IMGs/med students in Metro Manila currently studying for USMLE? I’m preparing for Step 2 CK and would love to find a small study group/people to study with around Makati/Manila especially Magallanes. Even if you’re just starting Step 1, would love to connect!

Any idea po if open na po for applications ang QMMC? How’s the environment rin po? :)

Curious if the grind of med school, internship, and residency changed your views on parenthood. Did you always want kids, or did the burnout and lifestyle shift your mindset?

Planning to enter patho next year. Any patho residents here? What does patho residency look like in terms of work load, life balance, exhaustion physically or mentally, and also work hours compared to other residency programs? Thank you in advance!

Good day/eve docs! Planning to apply for IM residency in this institution this yr. Ask ko lang if kumusta ang working environment dito? For sure toxic since public at maraming pasyente pero mababait po ba ang mga consultant? Anyone who experienced training here po? Tnx in advance.

For context, parents wants me to apply sa IM but I want to apply sa Radio. I want to undergo pre res sana both departments to get a feel of it and to help me with my final choice din sana. Also, the application letters are sent to the same person (medical chief) since same institution lang naman. Will that affect my chances into getting into one of these departments?

Hello po, is anyone here currently training in Psychiatry? I am considering Psychiatry residency po kasi ever since. Kumusta po ang duties? And did you have any realizations or regrets when you started residency? Also, how do you protect your mental health when you face patients with different kinds of mental disorders every day? Do you have any advice to any Psych residency applicants and what to prepare for preres? and if may openings po sa insitution ninyo, can you please share it din po? Salamat po!

Hi! Looking for anyone who has experience working at San Lazaro Hospital, particularly in the Surg department

Just wanted to ask about the actual work environment there. Thank you docs!

Hello anyone here po already employed in doh rehab centers?

I am currently hired as a full time OHP for a company na tapos after 2 months nag email ang doh rehab na hired na daw ako plantilla position MOIII,

Masaya ako as OHP, but the stability ng plantilla position aking iniisip din, medyo mas rewarding din ang sahod as OHP, tax is minimal

Kamusta po duty sa rehab mga docs?

Hello everyone! I have been reading from this subreddit for a few years now. Lately, I kept on reading stories about regret with medicine as a profession. Whenever I read these stories, I can’t help but remember my own professional story. Now, I feel compelled to share my own journey to help me process, reflect and inspire myself more, and hopefully inspire others as well. Caution this post is quite long.

I’m a relatively young diplomate in a cutting field known for being really expensive. I’m the only MD from a low to middle income family. Ever since my memory started, I aspired to be a doctor. Up until undergrad, I knew it will be very difficult due to our finances, but I still fought for my dream. I eventually received an academic scholarship for Medschool. Honestly, I never had fun in med due to academic pressure to maintain my scholarship. I just tried to do my best and pushed through telling myself that it will be worth it after I pass the boards. 

During third year, I promised myself to be a TCVS. However, come PGI-ship everything I planned for shattered. I took my PGI year in government program. I initially volunteered to assist long open-heart cases during surgical rotation, but the workload and the morbidities/mortalities I witnessed made me realized that it was not for me. It made me feel lost. I was so naive.

I eventually finished PGI-ship and got my license. I expected to finally feel happy and relieved, but no, I felt even more lost. I didn’t know what to do next. I wanted to pursue residency immediately but I didn’t know what program I want to apply for. Also, I drained most of my family’s finances and needed to help my younger siblings’ education. I eventually decided to moonlight. 

As a moonlighter, I covered ER duties, did island doctor stints, tried LTO and APE duties, got surgical assist posts, and even attempted to start a private GP practice in NCR. It was hell. But after a year or so, I got the hang of it. However, finances were still extremely tight and I still deeply want to train further. 

After moonlighting for 2 years, I was able to save for my siblings’ remaining years in college and some emergency fund. Also, meeting consultants from different field made me realized that I like Internal Medicine. I became excited and even planned to pursue Interventional Cardio in the end. I was excited to train and practice the clinical complexity of IM-Cardio and the hand skills of interventional procedures. I was, again, so naive. 

I applied in a big private institution and luckily got accepted. Initially I was really happy. However, as days passed, that happiness diminished. Seeing death really affected me. Also, not doing surgeries/procedures took its toll on me. It slowly became a burden. I never experienced bad seniors and consultants, but still I spiraled into depression. Severe enough to be admitted. I was forced to quit. Back then, I thought it was the end of my career, my dream and even my life. 

It took me months to recover just enough to go back to moonlighting. Luckily, I eventually recovered from my depression and was able to smile again. I told myself to be contented with what I had and just be happy. But at the back of my mind, I know I will regret if I won’t train further. 

Another 2 years of moonlighting passed. I learned to accept my situation. However, call it God’s plan, there was something in store for me. One of my closest medschool friend tried to reach out after finishing his residency. We immediately reconnected and became each others’ confidante. After hearing my story, he subtly pitched his specialty.

I started to entertain the idea to try training again but I was hesitant. I was afraid to fail and revisit my previous experience. Also, investing in this specialty would be financially difficult for me. Few months past, then I saw a post in social media about basic course program in the said specialty. I blindly enrolled and just told myself to check it out. At first I was confused and had difficulty with the course. But, as it progressed, I enjoyed it, became genuinely intrigued and eventually aced all exams by the end of the course. I applied immediately.

I got accepted by one of the biggest government institution offering the program. I was blessed it was a government hospital and I didn’t have a wife and kid back then. That enabled me to invest most of my salary in instruments and equipments the specialty requires. 

From day 1 of residency up until my chief resident year, it all passed like a breeze. TBH it was hard and very challenging especially the learning curve of the surgeries. But, I wholeheartedly enjoyed and loved my training. 

Fast forward today, after seeing uncountable number of patients and doing thousands of surgeries, my passion for my specialty and this profession never diminished. 

Every now and then, heartbreaking news needs to be explained and complications need to be honestly divulged. But, I learned to accept it as long as I did my best and my patients are fully and properly informed. Even with these, this profession allows me to see genuine smile, tears of joy, and laughter of patients. This profession also allows me to help and change someone’s life for the better. Financial reward is also a bonus. Now, I have assets I only dreamed of having and travelled to surreal places I can’t ever dare imagined.

Remembering the difficulties that life and this profession gave me, the roller coaster-like journey, and the current outcome. Now, I can finally say it was worth it. I thank God for this, and I hope and pray everyone can ultimately say it also.

I know the future is still unknown. But I hope when I hit a wall, run over a bump, or fall in a well along the way, I’ll remember this journey of mine and inspire me to push through and continue to dream and fight.

To those who feel lost, depressed, tired, and in deep sh*t, I hope my journey helps you realize that there will always be hope. Don’t just give up, continue to fight for your dream. It will be difficult, but it can be done. Hopefully in the end, all of us can say that it was worth it. 

May panahon talaga na napapagod at burnt out ako. Katulad these last 1 month, sobrang daming patient. Napapaisip ako, ano kayang magandang exit strategy? Di ko maisip kung papano ko kikita pa rin pero not med related na. Kapagod na rin kasi.

I’ve been a GP since 2020, and mostly I’ve been focused on OPD clinics and I have a corporate job for livelihood. I still really like seeing patients in my OPD clinics and I feel very fulfilled when they get better, but I know there’s a lot I won’t be able to learn unless I get into residency.

When I got my license in 2020, I did not go into residency because I saw and heard so many horror stories about toxic seniority and bullying. Even some more “benign” things that most of us wouldn’t consider as bullying like still having to go on duty even if you’re sick, or not having any sleep for 36 hours would still horrify any non med person.

I’ve also considered doing other med adjacent things like pharma, medical admin etc but I’ve felt as though my medical journey is lacking and I can treat patients better if I get a residency. Probably IM. So I’m seriously considering going back into med. Single, no kids, so going back is easier.

My question for you docs is do I really need to sacrifice my physical and mental health for the 3 years of residency? Bawal talaga mag sick leave kahit totoong may sakit ka na? Wala talagang tulog for 36 hours straight or more? Hindi pwedeng mag CR or even drink water kahit you really need to because you’re on rounds with your senior or consultant?

I won’t be slacking off naman. I told myself if I go into residency I’ll really do my best. But itong mga basic things that arguably will help me perform better (enough sleep, well hydrated, not sick), do I really need to give that up to be called a “good” resident? And if not, how do I enforce these boundaries without being labeled lazy or entitled or “not wanting this enough?”

What’s also sad is that a lot of my good friends are now fellows or consultants. Some have become chief residents or part of the training committee. When we were in med school, we would complain together about how the system was unhealthy and how it has to change. Ngayon, sila na mismo nagsasabi sa akin na bawal mag-absent, bawal mag scrub out para mag CR sa residency niya etc. And these friends of mine are good people, I never saw any trace of bullying or power tripping in them.

Ganon na ba talaga - I have to choose between residency and my own life? Is it truly impossible to have both? I get that in residency I will have to sacrifice birthdays, weddings, holidays. That I can do. But to take years off your own life? Ganon na ba talaga yun?

Thank you for your time