Essential lesson for doctors – Be outspoken and passionate

Dr Mary Ho
Associate Consultant (Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences)
Prince of Wales Hospital

“As a youngster, one should be outspoken and dare to share your ideas for service improvement. As a doctor, one should always stay curious and thirst for knowledge by studying medical literature and enriching clinical knowledge in areas of your interest.” This is Dr Mary Ho’s teaching philosophy.

Action speaks louder than words. In 2017, Dr Ho went on an elective training to the UK and Australia to study the treatment methods for uveitis. Upon her return to Hong Kong, she applied the knowledge learnt into clinical practice and proposed suggestions for service enhancement. For instance, she proposed to treat uveitis with immunosuppressants and biologics, to reduce the side effects and complications of systemic steroids. She also became a member of the uveitis working group in the Ophthalmology Clinical Coordinating Committee to develop treatment guidelines for ocular inflammatory diseases. She took the initiative to gather opinions from other specialties such as rheumatology and paediatrics rheumatology to execute multidisciplinary care. Through working closely with different specialists, a suitable treatment plan based on individual case's need can be formed to achieve an optimal treatment outcome.

The experience young doctors gained during their training is essential for their career growth as a good doctor. Dr Ho often shares with her trainees the lesson learnt from complex cases. Small group tutorials are the platforms that she can share her clinical knowledge, tips for surgical techniques advancement, ways to better communicate with patients, and research ideas, as well as answer questions from the housemen.

Dr Ho, who is a conscientious and detail-minded doctor, is dedicated to the training of young doctors. It is no surprise that many trainees and housemen who worked with her were influenced and decided to join the ophthalmology field or the same team as her.