Most In-demand Healthcare Jobs of the Next Decade
If there is one thing that the pandemic taught the entire world, it is that healthcare is a basic human necessity, almost like a fundamental right. Every statistic out there points to a meteoric surge in the demand for nursing, doctors, chemists, and medical professionals.
The modern sedentary lifestyle has also necessitated the need for a larger pool of healthcare specialists in the areas of physiotherapy and pharmacy.
This has led to the emergence of ancillary services like biomedical study courses, biotechnology specialisations, and newer streams of dentistry like orthodontics.
Given the wide array of opportunities available in the healthcare sector for employment and entrepreneurship, young students wanting to study medicine, pursue an MBBS course, and specialise in dental technology, among other streams, are on the rise.
Healthcare vocations account for the vast majority of the highest-paying jobs. Anaesthesiologists, psychiatrists, and dental technology experts often make more than $200,000 per year.
These specialists, like all medical professionals who study medicine, must finish at least 11 years of post-secondary study and training.
Some of the more popular educational pursuits available for aspiring healthcare professionals are a four-year MBBS course followed by two years of a master’s degree. Nursing specialisation could be obtained with courses of a slightly shorter duration.
Biomedical engineering is now a full-fledged engineering stream of studies along with pharmacy and dentistry. To study medicine today means a lot more than just being in a dispensary or hospital – it means an ocean of opportunities.
What are the statistics which point to a surging call for healthcare jobs?
- Life expectancy at birth in Malaysia is 3 years
- 8% is the share of healthcare expenses in the Malaysian GDP
- The rise in popularity of Malaysia as a destination for medical tourism
It’s only natural that one thinks of what the “Most In-Demand Healthcare Jobs of the Next Decade” would be. Let’s look at seven such opportunities.
1. Specialisation as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D)
Studying medicine and completing a rigorous MBBS course itself takes a lot of determination. Obtaining a master’s degree to be called an M.D. is even more challenging, which is why the number of such graduates is very low. It automatically becomes an in-demand healthcare career.
2. Nursing
As of 2017, Malaysia had about 130,000 nurses, which was already a shortfall. With the pandemic and a growing awareness around healthcare, the demand for nurses is going to be never-ending.
A Unienrol paper on this topic explains what’s in store for future nurses in great detail. If anything, nursing as a profession will always be hot.
3. Pharmacy
While an MBBS course to become a medical practitioner is in vogue, studying medicine also means specialising as a medicinal chemist. Pharmacy is a clinical science that integrates the world of chemistry with the medical sciences.
With an increasing number of doctors engaged in physiotherapy, dentistry, and working as a surgeon, medical stores or kedai perubatan are mushrooming around the country.
To manage and run these professionally, several thousand pharmacy specialists (chemists / pharmacists) would be needed.
4. Biomedical
Like everything else in life, healthcare also needs engineering for inventions, technological development, and progress.
A biomedical engineer or a biomedical science specialist performs the vital role of bringing together natural science and medical science to develop medical equipment and other tools.
Needless to say, there will always be a dearth of biomedical professionals. As a stream of healthcare, biomedical will always be in high demand.
5. Dentistry
According to market research firm Ipsos – about 6% of Malaysians visit a dentist about thrice a year. With a growing population and a steadily increasing disposable income, physical grooming spends tend to go up.
Along with a drive to study medicine, acquiring skills as a dentist and specialising in dental technology could be a lucrative vocation. Streams like orthodontics, dental cosmetics, etc. are new-age trends which are here to stay.
6. Physiotherapy
Sports as a career is so lucrative, especially in disciplines like badminton, tennis, football, etc., that droves of young adults now aspire to a career as a sportsperson.
This also means the demand for professionals skilled in physical rehabilitation, rejuvenation, like physiotherapy, and sports medicine is growing every year.
A rise in lifestyle-related ailments including arthritis, osteoporosis, and others is treated effectively by physiotherapy as an aid, along with physicians who undergo an MBBS course and study medicine.
7. Biotechnology
To study medicine is fundamental to pass an MBBS course and become a doctor. However, cutting-edge technology, especially medical biotechnology, makes it possible for individuals to specialise in developing pharmaceutical products and healthcare machinery (x-ray machines, scanners etc).
Medical biotechnology as a stream of healthcare enables the creation of products, tools, and machines which assist in treating several ailments and disorders. In some use cases, biotechnology actually aids in the prevention of diseases. Such a job will always remain relevant and in demand.
In a Nutshell
Healthcare is going to play an important role within society at large in the coming decades specifically and for the times ahead in general.
It is only natural that the demand for people to take up such jobs is high. For further advice and guidance regarding study pathways and course details, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly and helpful counselors.
