Being a GP in the Philippines can be rewarding for those interested in providing medical care to various patients. Additionally, the demand for general practitioners in the Philippines is high, so you may have good career opportunities. This article will help you figure out what it takes to be a General Practitioner in the Philippines.
You will learn about:
- Is a General Practitioner job in demand in the Philippines?
- How long does it take to be a GP in the Philippines?
- Is becoming a GP in the Philippines worth it?
- Benefits of being a GP
- Challenges of being a GP
- Conclusion
Is a General Practitioner job in demand in the Philippines?
The demand for GPs in the Philippines is high due to a growing population and increasing access to healthcare services. On top of that, there is a shortage of medical professionals in the country, particularly in rural and underserved areas. So there is a need for more general practitioners.
As a GP, you will have the opportunity to provide medical care, diagnose, and treat various health conditions. In addition, the field of medicine is constantly evolving, so there may be opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development. However, remember that the job market can vary depending on the location and the specific job. So it is a good idea to research the job market in the area where you plan to work.
How long does it take to be a GP in the Philippines?
Before considering GP as a career choice, one might ask about how many years of college to be a general practitioner. It typically takes at least eight years of college education to become a general practitioner in the Philippines.
First, to become a general practitioner in the Philippines, a person must complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. Then after completing a bachelor’s degree, the person must apply to and attend a medical school program. Medical school in the Philippines typically takes four years to complete. After completing medical school, the person must pass the licensure exam for medical doctors, which the Philippine Regulatory Commission administers.
Keep in mind that this is just a general guide, and the specific requirements and duration of training may vary depending on the individual’s circumstances and the particular program they attend.
Is becoming a GP in the Philippines worth it?
The majority of GPs consider general practice as a rewarding but also challenging career. Before taking medical college, one must look at the positive and negative aspects of this career trajectory. Below are the detailed pros and cons of being a doctor in the Philippines.
Benefits of becoming a GP
1. Respect and prestige
It might be an advantage for all healthcare professionals in the Philippines. Having an MD title next to your name is prestigious in the country. The respect shown to health professionals in the country is much stronger than almost any other profession. It is a stereotypical belief among parents to wish for their children to become doctors.
2. Numerous job opportunities
Since general physicians have practical and comprehensive knowledge of various medical fields, they have a wide range of career opportunities in the Philippines. A general physician can work as a company physician, associate physician, coordinating physician, clinic doctor, optometrist, and many more. Thus, GPs can jump into a new career trajectory while also being able to become specialists through fellowships.
3. Deeper interactions with patients
Medicine is a noble profession that improves people’s lives by providing healthcare and curing diseases. General practitioners, who are the first stations of patients, can also be considered “family doctors” by most patients. A reliable environment enables GP doctors to build more profound and long-lasting relationships with their patients. In this way, you will experience the spiritual satisfaction of being able to help them more closely.
4. Better work-life balance
Unlike specialists, you do not need to work overtime as a general practitioner. General practitioners have a steady work schedule so that they can do other things in their spare time. Besides, the general practitioner is known as a family-friendly profession. With a healthier balance between professional and social life, general physicians are more likely to build strong connections with family members.
5. Shorter Educational Path
Compared to other medical professions, one potential benefit of being a general practitioner in the Philippines is that the education and training required to become a general practitioner are relatively short. It is significantly shorter than the education and training required for specialists or surgeons, which can take many years of additional training. As a result, those interested in becoming a general practitioner in the Philippines may be able to enter the workforce and begin practicing medicine more quickly than they would if they pursued a different medical profession.
Challenges of being a GP doctor
1. High pressure on primary care
The enormous demand from patients creates high pressure on general practitioners. It happens more so after the COVID-19 era, as it places more sensitive and intense responsibilities on GPs. It results in the GPs feeling the overload of duties and work stress, which may cause general practitioners to burn out in the long run.
2. Limited access to resources
General practitioners often have less access to medical equipment than other professionals working in advanced medical institutions. Hence, GP doctors may have to diagnose various ailments with limited access to tests and medical equipment, which can cause misdiagnosis or medical mistakes. Not having required and enough medical devices can lead to diagnostic uncertainty, which is stressful and creates problems both for the physician and the patient.
3. Overloaded Paperwork
Becoming a GP requires you to do lots of administrative work. A GP working in a medical institution or hospital would have several referrals from specialists for some tests or start treatment. General physicians also need to review the results of blood tests or X-rays. In addition, a GP running private practice has not only patients to manage but also a business to maintain. Thus, they often spend much time doing administrative work, financial planning, and referrals outside of working hours. So, a general practitioner will be ready to handle administrative and clinical work around the clock.
Conclusion
In conclusion, becoming a general practitioner in the Philippines can be a good career choice for individuals passionate about providing essential medical services to the general population. The demand for general practitioners is high in the Philippines, and this career offers the opportunity to impact patients’ health and well-being positively. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a general practitioner, it is essential to obtain the necessary education and training, also to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.
Are you a General Practitioner looking for a new role in the healthcare industry? Here at Doctor Jobs Today, we provide the most reliable and well-curated vacancies from the best medical institutions in the Philippines. You can also access various recommendations and guidelines to help you stay on track. Get your CV ready and find your future career in Doctor Jobs Today, now!
About Doctor Jobs Today
Doctor Jobs Today is the first job-seeking platform in Southeast Asia dedicated to serving the job-searching needs of healthcare professionals. We have created a space to connect employers and medical job seekers seamlessly. As part of the healthcare community, we aim to cater to medical doctors for their vacancy inquiries better than traditional job portals. With Docquity, you will only get job options that are relevant to you, sourced from the prestigious healthcare institutions in the country, because we are just as picky as you are!
Doctor Jobs Today has all the suitable vacancies you’re dreamed about: a higher general practitioner salary, a better-equipped hospital for your specialization, or even a career shift from patient care.
About Docquity
If your educational and professional experience has not been sufficient to make your CV pop, expanding the network to other healthcare professionals to practice peer-to-peer learning might be the answer. One way to do it is by joining a social platform for healthcare professionals, such as Docquity.
Docquity is an AI-based state-of-the-art private & secure continual learning network of verified doctors, bringing you real-time knowledge from thousands of doctors worldwide. Today, Docquity has over 300,000 doctors spread across six countries in Asia.
Meet experts and trusted peers across Asia where you can safely discuss clinical cases, get up-to-date insights from webinars and research journals, and earn CME/CPD credits through certified courses. All with the ease of a mobile app available on Android & iOS platforms!
