The Secret Suffering Of Toxic Thai Med Schools

[webfact]

The Secret Suffering Of Toxic Thai Med Schools

By Jintamas Saksornchai, Staff Reporter

 

New students of Siriraj’s medical school participate the 2012 hazing. Photo: Matichon

 

BANGKOK — He was an aspiring doctor in his early 20s on track to graduate from one of the nation’s most renowned medical schools. People said he was excelling both socially and academically. Then, late last month, he took his own life.

 

From there it followed a pattern familiar to medical student suicides. As often as they make headlines, drawing attention to the dark side of a socially revered profession, the details and explanations usually don’t come to light.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/04/24/the-secret-suffering-of-toxic-thai-med-schools/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-04-24

[Eligius]

This stuff is appalling. More hacking away at people's dignity, sense of self-worth and basic rights.

 

But then, in a land where there are certain (routinely accepted) Unspeakables and a freedom-smashing junta - what do we expect?

 

Thailand: land of the bully and the slave.

[robblok]

9 minutes ago, Eligius said:

This stuff is appalling. More hacking away at people's dignity, sense of self-worth and basic rights.

 

But then, in a land where there are certain (routinely accepted) Unspeakables and a freedom-smashing junta - what do we expect?

 

Thailand: land of the bully and the slave.

Hazing is even a problem in my country. We had people die and there are controls in place that are ignored. Not only a Thai problem.

 

‘Bobbing’ for dead rats is just one of the hazing rituals engaged in by UK rugby clubs.

 

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/hazing-causing-crisis-in-number-of-uk-university/news-story/a9b064758398f2c05e126b0c9a103b3f

[jenny2017]

He stopped after realizing how it could affect those whose heads are on the menu.

 

   When it comes to the education system, Chatchawan Sompeewong, former director of Prapokklao Hospital’s Education Center, said too many subjects have been crammed into curriculums, making it very difficult for students to manage.

 

   He also acknowledged that “some specialists” who’ve gone into teaching establish unreachable standards for young undergraduates – pushing them to learn excessively under too much tension.

 

Amarase, now in his residency, has found his associates suffering from depression “every now and then.” He admitted to perpetuating kin hua himself.

 

  They should consider kin hua plaa instead. 

[Cadbury]

It seems the glowing warmth and high morality of Thainess has a dark underbelly that can be cruel, heartless and insidious when it wants to be.

This exposure of med school hazing simply adds to the inhumanity and humiliation that goes on within the  military. I expect it also happens within other parts of the education system.

Are the people just left to accept it as part of Thai culture. Or will PM Prayut stand up and put a stop to these cruel practices? Don't hold your breath waiting!

[hansnl]

2 hours ago, Eligius said:

This stuff is appalling. More hacking away at people's dignity, sense of self-worth and basic rights.

 

But then, in a land where there are certain (routinely accepted) Unspeakables and a freedom-smashing junta - what do we expect?

 

Thailand: land of the bully and the slave.

I wonder what the existing government has to do with it.

Hazing was and is a menace.

Also while there were other governments.

And also in your own country!

[Tapster]

It's no way to create a learning environment!!

 

It can't do anything to improve the standards among Thailand's doctors.

 

[seajae]

our daughter is in her first year at a uni in Bangkok(Thammasat) to become a doctor, so far she has seen none of this, it was one of my biggest worries but has not eventuated. She has spoken highly of the senior students and the help they give the new ones, maybe it depends on which uni you are in

[trainman34014]

6 hours ago, Eligius said:

This stuff is appalling. More hacking away at people's dignity, sense of self-worth and basic rights.

 

But then, in a land where there are certain (routinely accepted) Unspeakables and a freedom-smashing junta - what do we expect?

 

Thailand: land of the bully and the slave.

My Wife was a Midwife for 25 years and i've told her she should write a book about all the abuses that go on in the Medical Profession; it's downright disgusting.

[Cadbury]

6 hours ago, hansnl said:

I wonder what the existing government has to do with it.

Hazing was and is a menace.

Also while there were other governments.

And also in your own country!

Off topic! The subject is NOT about other governments. It is about Thailand. Get with it! 

[Cadbury]

1 hour ago, trainman34014 said:

My Wife was a Midwife for 25 years and i've told her she should write a book about all the abuses that go on in the Medical Profession; it's downright disgusting.

I have personal experience of what goes on within the education staffing system. I know of one foreign high school English teacher who committed suicide because he was sacked so he could be replaced by a Filipino teacher. The school directors received a handsome kickback from the agency when they employ Filipinos. Money and greed over humanity always prevails in Thailand. 

[bedouin1990]

Boo hoo and waaa-waaaaa.What a world of wussies we have become. I am a doctor, and 2% of my class in Med School killed themselves.I regretted that, but it was beyond my control.Or the school's control or any teeacher's control. Medicine is an extremely demanding profession; many are called but few are chosen. A few otherwise bright people simply cannot obtain the discipline and tolerate the long years of study required.Our education was not designed for titty babies, and the public has every right to demand rugged training of their doctors.

 

[Tapster]

@bedouin1990

 

In which country did you attend university?

[bangrak]

51 minutes ago, bedouin1990 said:

Boo hoo and waaa-waaaaa.What a world of wussies we have become. I am a doctor, and 2% of my class in Med School killed themselves.I regretted that, but it was beyond my control.Or the school's control or any teeacher's control. Medicine is an extremely demanding profession; many are called but few are chosen. A few otherwise bright people simply cannot obtain the discipline and tolerate the long years of study required.Our education was not designed for titty babies, and the public has every right to demand rugged training of their doctors.

 

Thank you for your candid reaction, it shows, no doubt, how inhumane med schools are, ...while supposed to shape young persons to practice the most humane, and idealistic, profession there is. No idea how you yourself were ever able to take the Hippocrates oath, while being honest. I hope you are a bad exception, but sadly doubt it.

[ericthai]

5 hours ago, seajae said:

our daughter is in her first year at a uni in Bangkok(Thammasat) to become a doctor, so far she has seen none of this, it was one of my biggest worries but has not eventuated. She has spoken highly of the senior students and the help they give the new ones, maybe it depends on which uni you are in

 Glad your daughter is doing good!!

 

I'm sure it depends on the person too.  Some people get upset very easy.

 

I think I would agree that if an intern cant answer a question they should be scolded! They are learning to save peoples lives, not repair a car. They need to know their stuff!! I've worked with many physicians in the USA they've been through the same stuff. Being a doctor in a hospital can be very stressful, a student needs to learn how to deal with the stress!! 

 

However, the schools should have some type of program in place to review students physiological state, or have some red flags to identify certain types of behavior that lead to depression, suicide.

  

[AntDee]

16 hours ago, robblok said:

Hazing is even a problem in my country. We had people die and there are controls in place that are ignored. Not only a Thai problem.

 

‘Bobbing’ for dead rats is just one of the hazing rituals engaged in by UK rugby clubs.

 

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/hazing-causing-crisis-in-number-of-uk-university/news-story/a9b064758398f2c05e126b0c9a103b3f

You have a hazing problem in your country's MEDICAL SCHOOLS? These are not regular party schools/programs where you expect to have these juvenile problems. This is the most prestigious medical school in the country.