Beef up Health Systems
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the healthcare approaches of patients and medical practitioners. Hence, we should reflect on healthcare highlights in 2022 and discern trends relating to healthcare approaches for patients and practitioners. Accordingly, Dr. Madhumita Sen, Deputy Director of the Clinical Skill Centre at the Faculty of Medicine, has enlisted concerns and trends relating to the pandemic in an article titled, ‘Beef up Health Systems.’ The timely article got featured in the letters to the editor column of NST on 26 January 2023. Click to read
Drawing lessons from Covid pandemic
Many experts expect Covid-19 to become endemic when its presence becomes steady in a region, or at least predictable and manageable like seasonal influenza. However, endemicity does not mean that the virus will disappear. Learn more about Covid-19 and its current state in an article by Professor Dr. Yu Chye Wah and Associate Professor Dr. Chew Heng Hai, both from the Faculty of Allied Health Professions. The article, ‘Drawing lessons from Covid pandemic,’ got featured in the letters to the editor column of NST on 21 January 2023. Click to read
China’s growth will cushion against downturn in Malaysia
With the relaxation of Covid restrictions, ease of financing for its beleaguered property sector, and alleviation of the supply crunch, China is expected to grow at a decent clip of five per cent in 2023. China's growth should cushion against any downturn of Malaysia's growth from slowing domestic consumption, investment, and exports due to the global recession. Learn more about these circumstances in an article by the Vice-Chancellor of AIMST University, Professor Datuk Dr. John Antony Xavier. The article got featured in the columnist section of NST on 16 January 2023. Click to read
2022’s big lesson: We need each other
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, containing the spread of Covid-19, and the outcome of the 15th General Election are lessons to be learnt in 2022. These lessons allow us to assess whether we are still on the road to our dreams and how far more we must go. Learn more about it in an article by the Vice-Chancellor of AIMST University, Professor Datuk Dr. John Antony Xavier. The article, ‘2022's big lesson: We need each other,’ got featured in the columnist section of NST on 14 January 2023. Click to read
What is the Career Path in Banking?
A banking career refers to any position within a financial institution. Common banking careers include bank tellers, accountants, trust and investment bankers and bank administrators. A career in banking is something most individuals can pursue, and some positions do not require higher education. Banking is considered a service industry, so a primary requirement for individuals is honesty and trustworthiness.
Why Would One Pursue a Career in Banking?
The benefits of pursuing a career in banking are many, with the most prominent being:- Competitive salaries
- Great job benefits, including medical insurance, paid time off, sick leave and disability insurance
- A range of administrative positions to choose from
- Job security
- Opportunities for advancement in the career
- Good working conditions and reliable hours
- Career development opportunities
1. Accountant
Responsible for ensuring financial statements and records are up-to-date and abide by regulations and generally accepted accounting principles.2. Commercial Banking Officer
They work in commercial bank settings such as credit unions and mortgage companies. A commercial banking officer’s duties include offering loans to clients, helping clients determine the most appropriate financial services and products for their needs and goals and building relationships with current and new clients.3. Credit Analyst
Being responsible for determining the risk profile and creditworthiness of businesses and individuals is part of a credit analyst’s daily routine. They perform financial background checks, analyse financial statements and credit history, perform risk assessments, review credit applications, and work with clients regarding payment terms and credit limits.
4. Bank Compliance Officer
Such an officer is responsible for ensuring financial institutions comply with governmental laws and regulations. Their everyday work includes liaising with bank management to make sure the financial institution's procedures and policies are up to date and overseeing deposits, consumer lending and mortgage lending to ensure they comply with the appropriate rules and regulations.5. Bank Marketing Manager
Like any other marketing profession, a bank marketing manager is also responsible for creating content and ideas to draw in new clients to the bank or financial institution. They do competitive studies, design marketing plans for advertising and signage, create direct mail campaigns, and update banking clients on business news.6. Trust Officer
Most banks have a trust department. A trust officer is responsible for creating, implementing and overseeing every aspect of a bank's trust department. A day in the life of a trust officer includes providing advice on trust and estate matters, working with clients, advisers and agencies regarding regulations and options related to estates and trusts, helping clients make financial decisions and overseeing trust funds.7. Bank Operations Manager
Oversee the operations department of banks and other financial institutions is the purview of a bank operations manager. An operations manager’s day includes making sure products and services are efficiently delivered to clients, developing and implementing procedures and policies within the bank setting, managing staff and developing and overseeing goals aimed at improving the bank's productivity and efficiency.8. Bank Human Resources Manager
Being responsible for employee engagement and relations, ensuring the bank follows compliance with human resource regulations and policies within a bank or federal setting and creating and overseeing recruiting and retention plans are all part of a bank’s human resources manager’s work.9. Broker
Provide people and organisations with services related to investments, insurance, and real estate within the banking and financial sectors.10. Financial Adviser
Provide personalized financial services to customers. Common duties include assisting clients in selecting the right investments for their goals and preferences, monitoring investments, assisting clients in choosing insurance plans and preparing financial plans for customers.
11. Systems Analyst
Systems analysts who work for banks and other financial institutions identify potential data processing issues and gaps in banking systems. They also implement new computer systems to meet the bank's needs, design and test solutions and standards and assess system problems.12. Wealth Manager
Financial specialists who work with wealthy individuals and businesses. Common responsibilities of wealth managers include counseling customers on the most appropriate financial services and products depending on their objectives, managing client investments, providing estate and tax planning services, and developing personalized financial plans for clients.13. Loan Officer
Financial professionals oversee the approval of real estate, credit and business loans. This is an entry level position that involves providing customer service and basic banking services to the bank's customers.14. Financial Clerk
Responsible for a variety of financial administrative services, including processing invoices, managing financial records, keeping track of transactions, and reviewing financial information and documents.15. Investment Banking Associate
Work with clients to determine their financial goals and needs and create solutions to meet those needs. Duties include evaluating their financial data, creating new fund sources, performing valuation analysis, and overseeing client transactions.16. Auditor
Certified accountants help organizations and individuals ensure their financial records are accurate and meet compliance requirements.In Closing
Many roles in the banking industry do not call for a high level of qualification. Because the banking sector is considered to be a service industry, one of the major requirements for individuals is that they be honest and trustworthy. For more information on banking courses, including bachelor in finance, bachelor of accounting and finance, a diploma in finance, please make an appointment with our helpful course and career counsellors for a full counselling session.MBBS vs. MD: What is the Difference?
The path towards becoming a doctor with an MBBS degree is a long and challenging one. It is a selfless and dedicated service, personally one of the most fulfilling careers. To enroll in the MBBS and subsequent MD, a good grade is required, as well as complete commitment to the course. When we mentioned the degrees in medicine, we brought up two degrees. One is the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, commonly referred to as MBBS. The other one is the Doctor of Medicine, more commonly referred to as an MD. With the term "Doctor" in Doctor of Medicine, we can assume that in most universities, it would be the second step after completion of MBBS. However, there are some universities that would award the Doctor of Medicine, MD, as the first step, and the next would be the PhD. As a PhD qualification by research, we would need an MBBS and a master’s degree or specialist qualification to qualify for the programme. In Malaysia, both the MBBS and MD are bachelor’s degrees and are of the same level of qualification. To pursue this programme, one needs a pre-university or foundation qualification (e.g. A Level, STPM, Foundation in Science).
Length of the Course
The standard course length of the MBBS/MD course in Malaysia is 5 years. For the universities that offer MBBS in Malaysia as a graduate entry level medicine program, the course length is 4 years.
Course Matters
Both the MBBS in Malaysia and the MD in Malaysia courses, include two phases—pre-clinical training and clinical training. During the first two years of the degree, the studies would focus on pre-clinical training, where the theoretical aspects of basic medicine science are covered. Thereafter, under clinical training, one gets hands-on training at hospitals and clinics. During the initial training days, students may experience the following common themes:- Basic medical sciences
- Patient and population
- Life Cycle
- Life Support
- Population Health
- Professionalism and Ethics
- Professional Skills
- Communication principles for effective health care
- Allergy and Immunology
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Neurology
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Pulmonology
Can one become a doctor with either an MBBS or MD degree in Malaysia?
In Malaysia, both the MBBS and MD (undergraduate) degrees are recognized as doctoral degrees by the Malaysian Medical Council. In addition to the degree, one needs to complete housemanship and the necessary training before completing the full registration as a medical officer and using the abbreviation “Dr.” in front of their name. Earning an MBBS means that students are certified to care for patients. Junior physicians do not have any specialized training. Graduates are expected to complete two years of additional training, which rotates them through different specialties. Once they identify a specialty they like, they can apply for additional training, which can take anywhere between three and eight years.MBBS vs. MD
MBBS graduates are considered qualified doctors who can treat basic health matters while they continue acquiring additional training. In that regard, they are similar to MD graduates in the US, who are expected to complete a three-year residency after finishing medical school. An MD is a post-graduate degree onto which the MBBS students enrol to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Scope of MBBS vs. MD
The medical field is highly dynamic, and a graduate with a medical degree can get jobs in public or private hospitals. An MBBS graduate who is licensed and registered under the medical council of the residing country has all the rights to practise their area of expertise. MD is a post-graduate program that helps MBBS graduates prosper in a particular field of specialization. For instance, Clinical Haematology, Oncology, Paediatrics, Cardiology are some of the specializations in the medical field. Indeed, earning an MD degree would enhance the career prospects of a doctor in the long run. If earning a MBBS or MD medical degree does not sound interesting, there are other fields in the healthcare sector that can be explored:- Nursing
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Health Care Administration
Conclusion: Which course should one choose, MBBS or MD?
Both MBBS and MD programs in Malaysia comply with the standards set by the Malaysian Medical Council and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency to provide the right knowledge and skills to become qualified doctors. People consult both specialists and general physicians for a differential diagnosis. Hence, both MBBS and MD doctors are essential in the healthcare sector. For further information, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly course and career counsellors.How Often Should You See Your Dentist?
Dentistry, usually referred to as dental medicine or oral medicine, is the medical specialty concerned with the teeth, gums, and mouth. It entails the study, diagnosis, prevention, management, and treatment of illnesses, disorders, and conditions of the mouth, with the dentition and oral mucosa as its primary focus.
Dental Technology
Dental technicians (also known as dental technologists) create dentures, crowns, bridges, and dental braces to enhance patients' looks, speech, and chewing abilities. Dental technology is the process of designing, constructing, repairing, or modifying dental prosthetic, restorative, and orthodontic equipment. A dental technologist (dental laboratory technician) is a member of the dental team who, upon prescription from a dental clinician, constructs custom-made restorative and dental appliances. Dental technology has subjects that focus on a comprehensive digitized approach to three major fields – Prosthodontics, Implantology and Orthodontics. The course offers training in virtual treatment planning and computer aided designing and milling of dental prostheses.What is the difference between a dentist and a dental technician?
While dentists are responsible for caring for patients by preventing and treating problems affecting the mouth and teeth, dental technicians develop the actual equipment needed to support this. As mentioned by the World Health Organization, oral health is the state of the mouth, teeth and orofacial structures that enables individuals to perform essential functions such as eating, breathing and speaking, and encompasses psychosocial dimensions such as self-confidence, well-being and the ability to socialize and work without pain, discomfort and embarrassment. Oral health, which varies from infancy to old age, is essential to general health and enables individuals to participate in society and realise their full potential. Oral diseases include dental caries, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth loss, oral cancer, oro-dental trauma, noma, and congenital malformations including cleft lip and palate.
How often should one go to the dentist?
It is a standard recommendation throughout the country that children and adults should visit the dentist once every six months. This would be for a regular checkup of the overall oral health, including the status of the teeth and gums and/or underlying issues that may become an issue later. However, for some of the cases below, the dental practitioner will want to have more frequent checkups:- Pregnant women - as fluctuating hormones may put expecting moms at greater risk of developing gum disease and cavities.
- Cancer patients - medications that dry out the mouth and put patients at greater risk
- Diabetic patients - contribute to gum and other oral health problems
- Smokers - tobacco causes gum disease and also makes it harder for the body to heal after dental procedures or surgeries.
- Heart patients - poor oral health has higher rates of cardiovascular problems compared to people with healthy mouths.
- X-rays
- Cleaning and polishing
- Oral cancer screening
- Cavity detection
- Condition of the existing dental work
- Assessment of gum health
How can one become a dental surgeon?
In Malaysia, the appropriate dentistry course would be a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. A Bachelor of Dental Surgery in Malaysia is a 5 year course. The specializations in the dentistry course are:a. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
The surgery of the face, mouth and jaws.b. Orthodontics
Deals with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of mispositioned teeth and jaws.c. Restorative Dentistry
Refers to the management and operations your dentist undertakes to maintain the health and functionality of your mouth. This encompasses the placement of dental implants, dentures, fillings, and crowns.d. Periodontology
Study of the specialized system of hard and soft tissues that support your teeth and maintain their positions in the jaw.e. Pediatric Dentistry
Specializes in the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years and provides care for a child’s teeth, gums and mouth throughout the various stages of childhood.
In Closing
Globally, an estimated 3.5 billion people suffer from oral diseases that are non-communicable in nature. This single statistic is reason enough to visit a dentist as a preventative measure that improves one's overall health and makes things easier for us in the long run. All in all, it is recommended for children and adults (except for those who are pregnant or have the aforementioned health conditions) to visit the dentist once every six months. For further information regarding dentistry courses, including dental university in Malaysia, please schedule an appointment with our professional counsellors for a full counselling session.Challenges Faced by Malaysian Pharmacists
The pharmacist serves as a bridge between patients and doctors, giving patients guidance on how to get the most out of their medications while minimizing any unwanted or harmful effects. Moreover, they educate customers on their medication options according to the prescription provided by their doctor. Aside from filling prescriptions and labelling medication, they may also recommend over-the-counter medicines for minor health issues. It is also possible that pharmacists advise customers on the proper dosage, frequency, duration, drug interactions, and side effects of their purchased medicines.
How Can One Become a Pharmacist in Malaysia?
One needs a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and work experience to enter this role. A pharmacy degree in Malaysia is a Bachelor of Pharmacy from a university accredited by the Pharmacy Board under the Ministry of Health in Malaysia. This usually takes three to four years to finish. After completion of the pharmacy degree in Malaysia, there are various areas of pharmacy practice. Let us look at some of them:- Academic Pharmacy
- Community Pharmacy
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Industrial Pharmacy
But like many medical professionals, pharmacists across the healthcare spectrum today face a number of technical and resource challenges as they strive to provide the best and most efficient medication decisions and patient care.
Here are six key challenges that pharmacists face.
- Too many disparate resources, that are spread across various platforms. The pharmacist will have to search across various platforms, books, tools and other resources to find the exact drug that is needed.
- Increasing specialty medicines, calls for the pharmacist's demand for the latest drug information as well as patient education materials.
- The constant demand for multitasking, with spending too much time finding the right and trustworthy drug information at the point of care, along with many responsibilities.
- Outdated information across databases. Pharmacists depend on the information being quickly available - includes the latest drug information, recent drug changes.
- Human and financial cost of medical errors. It is imperative for pharmacists to have access to efficient, accurate information to avoid errors and adverse patient outcomes.
- Awareness of specific patient population needs: A patient’s age, gender, and even history of substance abuse can play a key role when it comes to prescriptions. Pharmacists must understand how to negotiate nuanced interactions and provide supporting resources, such as advising a patient on the timing of doses
- Inexperienced pharmacists starting a pharmacy
- Aggressive price undercutting owing to the growing competition
- Job hopping/staff pinching
- Discriminate price differences between doctors and pharmacies
- Excessive promotion/discounts by chain shops that affects the credibility of the individual pharmacies
- Practice pharmaceutical care
Challenges of private hospital pharmacists
- Lack of recognition
- Look at purchasers only
- Pharmaceutical diagnosis
- Lack of opportunity in training
- Minimal contact with patients
- Too much of paperwork
- Some hospital pharmacies lack equipment like counting machines and relevant software
- No specializations
- Long working hours
- Lack of professional development training
- Out of the mainstream professional activities
- Lack of research opportunities
- Lack of employment flexibility as there are very few manufacturing companies in Malaysia
- Lack of exposure to retail pharmacy
- Lack of exposure to the health supplements industry
- Lack of exposure to government regulatory information
- Low pay scales
- Never involved into decision making
All in All
The challenges faced by pharmacists in Malaysia after they graduate with a pharmacy degree affect their enthusiasm for their profession and their abilities to provide professional services. It is hopeful that the authorities concerned will increase their effort in preventing transgressions of pharmacy legislation.Expect the economy to soften in 2023
Next year, Malaysia stares at the prospect of half the growth rate of 2022 on account of slower world economic growth. Moreover, the global economy is expected to spiral downwards into a recession, with a meager growth rate of 1.2 percent. Read more about the factors that will influence the country’s economy in 2023 in an opinion piece by the Vice-Chancellor of AIMST University, Professor Datuk Dr. John Antony Xavier. The article, ‘Expect the economy to soften in 2023,’ got featured in NST on 19 December 2022. Click here to read.
Teachers can beat academic stress
Dr. Kallyan K. Debnath from the Centre of Excellence for Learning & Teaching at AIMST University has shared his views on reducing students' academic stress by emphasising curriculum revision and delivery in addition to planning, handling of curriculum and improving teaching-learning quality. He articulated his thoughts in an opinion piece titled 'Teachers can beat academic stress,' which got featured in the letters to the editor column of NST on 13 December 2022. Click here to read.
Put Monetary Value On Your Health
Logic and knowledge have repeatedly failed to assist us in making healthy choices. The unfortunate truth is that even when we are well-informed, we make poor health choices and depend heavily on emotion rather than logic. Learn more about this in an article by Dr. Madhumita Sen, Deputy Director of the Clinical Skills Centre (CSC) at AIMST University. The article, ‘Put monetary value on your health,’ got featured in the letters to the editor column of NST on December 6, 2022. Click here to read.
Unexpected Career Paths in the Medical Field
The medical field has always been an important sector focused on the welfare of people and the overall development of society. Medical specialists having a Bachelor of Medicine degree can focus on various medical areas based on their interests where useful services are provided to people in need. As the demand for medicine has increased across the globe, more people have shown interest to study medicine in Malaysia to practice in their fields of interest. Medical specialists having expertise in certain specialized areas have started utilizing their medicinal skills with other professional skills to provide services apart from the common areas or fields.
Kinds of Medical Specialists- Unknown Areas
People with a bachelor of Medicine are not only limited to certain specialist areas which are commonly known among the people. MBBS graduates also choose certain unknown areas based on their interests. It has been found that MBBS in Malaysia is one of the best options for students interested to study abroad. Some of the important kinds of medical specialists in the unknown areas are the following:1. Wound-Care Specialist
The removal of infected tissue is done by a wound-care specialist who will help improve the healing process. Such specialists can treat their patients at their homes as they are not completely working in hospitals or nursing homes.2. Perfusionist
A perfusionist is focused on operating heart and lung machines which are utilized to carry out the functions of the organs of patients while surgery is carried out.3. Cytotechnologist
The MBBS in Malaysia specialists who can evaluate different tissue samples to identify the presence of any disease using tools like microscopes are called cytotechnologists.4. Space Psychologist
A space psychologist is focused on advising selection panels and providing information about the astronauts who will be best for a particular mission. Enhanced counseling to provide support to the crew is also done by such a specialist.5. Pedorthist
A pedorthist is a medical specialist focused on creating customized shoes and footwear for patients with specific foot needs.
Unexpected Career Paths in the Medical Field
In this changing society, it can be seen that people are choosing various unexpected career paths in the medical field apart from common fields. Those people with a background in medicine can utilize their knowledge and skills in any kind of field where enhanced benefits can be provided to the people. Unknown career paths are chosen by medical professionals based on their interest in other areas, which can be combined to provide quality services that are beneficial for the patients. The unexpected career paths seen in the present medical field are the following:a. Medical Writing
The people involved in medical writing need both medical and communication skills; they need knowledge and creativity to create various regulatory documents. In medical writing, the writers can focus on writing various medical-related concepts to make it more understandable for the common man.b. Legal Consulting
One of the important career paths chosen by those with an MBBS degree is legal consulting, where they work with attorneys to analyze the medical aspects of legal cases. In this process of legal consulting, expert opinion can be given to effectively interpret different issues and provide apt solutions as per the existing conditions.c. Pharmaceutical Sales
The salespeople who are employed by pharmaceutical companies to ensure the proper marketing of essential drugs to physicians, pharmacists, and so on are those people involved in pharmaceutical sales.
