Overseas returnees guard hospital frontline: case 1

Some Hongkongers study or invest overseas just desiring to emigrate and enjoy a more relaxing life. Yet doctors who have worked overseas for years do return to practise under limited registration. What motivates them to do so? How would they bring fresh thinking to local public hospitals?

Howard Chan: Contribute to Hong Kong, my origin

Hong Kong-born Howard Chan studied in the United Kingdom since he was 14 and graduated from the medical school of the University of Bristol. He later became a member of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and wanted to seek new adventure in another specialty. Accepting his family’s suggestion, he joined Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department in August 2014 as a Resident.

The first month at work was a culture shock, he recalls. “The public hospitals here are much busier than those in the UK. Heavy workload aside, we have to treat patients and handle complaints. The doctor is often seen as a paternal figure and the relationship with patients is more cautious or formal. It took me some time to get used to it. In contrast, it is less formal in the UK. Patients call me by my first name!”

Dr Chan, who now is a senior trainee of the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine, plans to become a specialist in emergency medicine and a fully registered doctor in Hong Kong. Despite challenges and obstacles, he can still see himself with a positive and fruitful future working in HA. “I was born and brought up here. I believe that doctors who have overseas clinical experiences can bring back constructive medical skills to Hong Kong.”

Howard’s supervisor and Chief of Service of A&E Department Dr Cheng Chi-hung says that when hiring non-local trained doctors, priority factors of consideration include the applicant’s professional qualification, competence of communicating with patients in Cantonese, as well as family network and connections in Hong Kong. “We have to pay attention to doctors’ psychological health and provide suitable support, so that they can work here happily.” He adds that after Dr Chan obtains specialist qualification in emergency medicine, he can handle cases independently and help train young doctors, easing the workload of the department.