Over the years, global healthcare systems have undergone numerous reforms, advancements, and improvements. Nevertheless, throughout all these transformations, the vital role of empathy as a cornerstone in providing efficient healthcare to individuals and communities has remained consistent. The medical profession emphasises integrity and caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable.
According to Dr. Edmund LC Ong, an Honorary Professor of Medicine at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) with vast experience in Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine in the UK, empathy is a connection and understanding that involves the mind, body, and soul. This makes it a highly effective and strong tool for increasing patient trust, calming anxiety, and improving health outcomes.
In its commitment to cultivating highly empathetic medical professionals via the delivery of high-quality medical education, NUMed hosts numerous events, such as its highly anticipated Health Camps which are organised by its Year 5 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students annually, as part of their efforts to give back to society. The MBBS students have the opportunity to learn from actual patients in various clinics and hospitals around Johor throughout their five years of study. This allows them to develop their clinical knowledge and skills. Consequently, volunteer and social work opportunities give them an avenue to practise what they have learned while also doing their part for the community.
In addition to empathy, students get to hone doctor-patient communication, leadership, teamwork, and other soft skills. Besides that, volunteering is also a great way for them to gain practical experience and build up their resume.
Dr. Ong believes that successful medical students must be able to integrate and comprehend a broad knowledge base before beginning to apply it in a clinical situation. “They must be compassionate, as well as having good communication and organisational skills,” he explained.
“We want to balance the scales, so to speak, by bringing quality health education and screening to the doorsteps of these communities, while striving to improve health awareness and promote healthier lifestyles,” said Timothy, a NUMed MBBS graduate who was also the previous Health Camp’s organising chairperson.
In its commitment to delivering high-quality medical education, NUMed plays an essential role in shaping doctors of the future and preparing them for the field of medicine, in order to create a better tomorrow. NUMed’s academics consist of highly qualified and experienced lecturers from a variety of backgrounds, with a number of them seconded from the UK campus. The university also employs integrated case-led education that is patient-centred, allowing its students and graduates to treat patients holistically.
There are many noteworthy volunteer activities that medical students undertake such as educational activities for young children, mini clinics where participants can receive consultations from medical students and NUMed doctors, and mobile clinics where NUMed’s students, led by doctor-lecturers, visit immobile or semi-dependent patients in villages.
“With the Health Camp, I was able to hone an entirely different set of soft skills – from liaising with external parties to coordinating activities. The event also gave me the opportunity to apply the knowledge I learnt as a medical student and better understand what we, as soon-to-be doctors, can offer to the local villagers in terms of medical services, screenings and counselling,” shared Ashley Yap, who co-chaired the Health Camp this year.
Alongside offering top-notch medical education, NUMed will continue to prioritise providing students with opportunities to volunteer and engage with local communities in a bid to equip them with the necessary skills and experience for a career in healthcare. For more information about the programmes offered at NUMed, please email admissions@newcastle.edu.my, call +607 5553800, WhatsApp +6011 12315411/ +6012 7849456, or visit https://www.ncl.ac.uk/numed/.
