r/pinoymed

How much is your monthly salary now and how much hare in your saving? Just curious because it’s been a year and a half and I don’t even pay house bills but it feels like I haven’t really saved as much as I wanted. It feels so stagnant but at the same time I am not ready for residency training yet. Why are we philippine doctors so underpaid? An independent massage therapist, hairdresser, HMUA make what we make in 2-3 days in a day.

I don't really know why I'm posting this. Maybe I just need to say it somewhere.

From the outside, my life probably looks okay. I finished years of training, passed my exams, and now I'm working as a consultant while pursuing further training. A lot of people assume that once you reach this point, you've "made it."

The reality is that I'm exhausted.

Medicine has taken up most of my adult life. Every milestone was followed by another exam, another responsibility, another expectation. I kept telling myself that things would feel lighter after the next hurdle. Somehow, they never really did.

I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for years. I see a psychiatrist and take medication, but almost nobody knows. Not even my family. They just think I'm busy or chronically tired. I don't tell them because I don't want them to worry or look at me differently.

Some days I spend hours caring for patients, talking to colleagues, making decisions, and doing everything I'm supposed to do. Then I go home and feel completely drained. I function well enough that most people probably wouldn't notice anything is wrong.

What surprises me most is how lonely this profession can feel. Doctors are surrounded by people all day, yet many of us quietly carry things we never talk about. Everyone seems to be coping, so you end up wondering if you're the only one struggling.

Sometimes I wonder why I still feel this way when I've already reached goals I spent years chasing. I kept thinking that after the next exam, the next promotion, or the next milestone, I'd finally feel lighter.

Instead, the finish line just kept moving.

But mental illness doesn't really care what your CV looks like.

I'm not in immediate danger and I'm continuing treatment. I still show up. I still do my job. I'm just tired in a way that sleep doesn't seem to fix.

I guess I'm posting this because I wanted someone to know that sometimes the person wearing the white coat is struggling too.

If you've gone through something similar, I'd appreciate hearing how you got through it. Thanks for reading.

went into a relatively less toxic speciality (radio) and i think I underestimated when they said that no residency program is really easy. I love what I do but Im really burnt out and Im just trying to survive each day in training. The only thing stopping me from quitting (apart from actually liking the field) is knowing that Im really not made to be a clinician (i dread it) and most posts as a GP entails that work.

Hayyyy, i think ill just show up everyday til the 4 years end

I recently passed the PLE last April 2026, I immediately started moonlighting because of a planned 12-days major vacation for May. Last night I was organizing my finances and suddenly felt really grateful for the blessings.

Last May my total earnings was at ₱94k, June was ₱93k and projected for July based on my plotted scheduled gigs is ₱103k 🥺

My work week is composed of 3 days regular HD POD duties, a 48hrs hospital duty and 2 rest days.

These numbers might seem little for others but for a newly passed 1st gen doctor, this is already a feat.

Thank you Lord for bringing me to the other side 🙏🏼

Since residency applications are coming up, friendly advise to those who are thinking of applying to a residency program

1. make sure the program is accredited for your whole stay in residency, especially for surgical specialty, inquire for the possibility of reaccreditation if mataas yung chance

For established programs, mas competitive yung program since mas madaming applicants pero if makapasok ka, sure ka na residency na lang problem mo and not the program

Red flag if most ng mga consultants have no subspec since less exposure for you, and ofc less learning

Red flag also if consultants are leaving left and right

2. preres is v important to know if match ka with the institution, use it wisely, make sure to ask the right questions

3. there a difference between wanting career growth and comfort, if you’ve found an institution with both, you’re very lucky, some institutions provide comfort but not career growth, choose wisely

4. good support system is very very important, whether it be family, friends, batchmates or all of the above

5. inquire also or if not, research about the performance of the current and previous residents in the in-service exams and diplomate exams, this would matter especially if you want career growth and connections in the future

Goodluck doctors, these were some, if not all, the advise i needed to hear when i was applying

Hi doctors, would like to ask sana if may radar ba kayo where yong mga institution na nagha-hire nang mga hospitalists?

As a first gen MD, I'm on moonlighting phase. Plan ko mag residency next year pa kaya I'm trying to get some leads where makakapag-apply as hospitalist. Preferably in Cebu or Bohol, or if the duty can be done straight 10-11 days, that's okay for me too.

Currently, I have OPD/Wards and ER gigs in 2 private hospitals + 1 day per week regular posts as company physician. I'm trying to earn as much in preparation for residency sana.

I am already waitlisted sa Provincial Health Office, 2nd in priority as per the list, BUT I heard na may mas nauna pang nakapasok samin na nasa first 10 list na wala sa listahan. Kaya medyo I'm loosing hope waiting for a position in Provincial Hospitals. Backer system at its best talaga.

Any leads will do, thank you!

As a confused 2nd year Medical Resident can someone tell me what a "nonviable pregnancy" actually implies, and why are these cases decked to Medicine/General Surgery instead? What's so different about gravid women in their third trimester for them to be considered "viable" as compared to those in their first to second trimesters?

Or is this absurd system only implemented in our institution

Hi doctors! I’m a 35F, married, anesthesia consultant here in PH. And I’m planning to migrate and become a doctor in Ireland. Can someone please help me with the process.

Hi everyone!

Hihingi lang sana ako ng guidance and honest insights from our IM seniors and fellows.

Nasa point na kasi ako na kailangan ko na mag-decide kung anong fellowship ang gusto kong i-pursue, and I want to make an informed decision based on real experiences rather than hearsay.

I know each person's journey is different, but I believe your experiences will help everyone here po.

If okay lang, pwede bang mag-share ng experience ninyo sa inyong subspecialty? I'd really appreciate hearing about both the positives and the challenges, particularly regarding the following:

1. Pros and cons of the subspecialty and institution na napili niyo

2. Struggles and challenges during fellowship (including how toxic the training can get)

3. Duty schedule and work-life balance (I understand meron talagang 24hrs duty ang iba pero baka per institution iba ang sistema)

4. Salary or earning potential (during fellowship and after training, if you're comfortable sharing)

5. Board passing rate

6. Whether pursuing a sub subspecialty is necessary sa napili niyong specialization

7. Life after fellowship—career opportunities, job satisfaction, and any regrets or things you wish you knew before choosing your subspecialty.

As of now, Cardiology is at the bottom of my list, although I'm very open to changing my perspective depending on your insights.

Thank you in advance to everyone who takes the time to share.

My boyfriend is currently working as a retainer physician. His current setup has a significantly higher daily rate, but he doesn’t receive employment benefits (no HMO, paid leaves, retirement benefits, etc.), and his position isn’t guaranteed long-term.

Recently, he was offered a regular full-time position by the same company. The offer includes benefits such as HMO, insurance, paid leave, retirement benefits, and government contributions. However, the daily rate is significantly lower than what he’s currently earning. On top of that, the regular role comes with additional responsibilities.

On one hand, the regular position offers stability and benefits. On the other hand, accepting it would mean a substantial decrease in his monthly income. While he’s still able to continue in his current role for now, there’s no assurance that this arrangement will always be available. We’re trying to figure out which is the smarter decision in the long run—prioritizing higher earnings now or choosing the security and benefits that come with a regular position.

If you were in his shoes, what would you do? Has anyone here gone through a similar situation where you had to choose between a higher-paying retainer role and a lower-paying regular position with benefits? Looking back, which decision worked out better for you?

I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!

Enlighten me please. I’m a medical student na matagal nang tanggap na ginusto kong magdoctor not bc of money.

I was looking for a good residency program and stumbled upon a thread. Magbabasa lang sana ako ng description ng experience nila pero nagulat nalang ako kapag shineshare din monthly income nila na 6 to 7 digits.

Pwede pa-brag pa mga doks para lang mainspire din magwork hard and smart like you. Haha!

Hello!

I am still a struggling med student here in the PH but I can't help but think about life after med school. Sa totoo lang, gusto kong umalis ng bansa dati pa dahil na rin sa dami ng issue rito lalo na sa healthcare system natin at bulok na pamamalakad ng mga nasa pwesto pero heto ako, nasa Pinas pa rin. Napakadali para sa mga kaklase ko na magplano na magabroad na lang agad after med dahil may kaya sila at koneksyon doon pero ako, I don't even know if that's a possible route for me. Kung palarin, magiging 1st gen doctor ako in a few years pero syempre, gusto ko rin umasenso at makaalis sa current financial status namin ngayon ng pamilya ko. I want to give them a better life but I just don't know how. Is going abroad the way to go? Do I stay here in the PH and choose a field na in demand? Should I teach and go moonlighting? I don't know how to plan this ~realistically~. If there are first gen doctors out there who came from humble backgrounds and are living comfortably now (comfortable, not rich rich), please guide me po! Thank you!

Hello doctors! Sino po kaya may basic info regarding USMLE and AMC?

Which is more difficult and saturated? Is it USMLE or AMC?

Very interested to apply to AMC pero naccurious din ako which one is better?

Alin po mas cheaper interms of fees ng step1 and step2?

Help a lost GP here. Been thinking about it since ang hirap na talaga ng buhay dito sa pinas! Thank you po!!

Hi, been planning to apply Emed and was considering Sotto/VSMMC in Cebu. Any insights would be helpful. Maybe on work schedule, patient load and etc. thanks!

Hello po. Im a Non PGH graduate, and was an average med student interested in taking up residency in PGH. Is it like their PGI that they only choose the top of your batch? Will they obviously be prioritizing their graduates first? Will i be needing a good backer/recommendation letter to get in?
Am not a slacker naman, i try to read during free time, i hate not doing anything kaya i know wala ako worries for pre res duty. i got in a public hospital for residency last year but didn’t push through cause of ROS. So i wanted to try this year, this time PGH. But wala pako balita the term of getting in, if it’s like the other hosps na palakasan

Hello po, crowd sourcing lang po. I am halfway through my first year Internal med residency and I want to quit. Average namin na organics is 25-30 per person and then pag may cover sa gabi pag duty umaabot ng 80-90 na total patients per person. Mga 20+ rin admissons/referrals pag duty. Sobrang bigat. Umuuwi na ako ng 11pm pag from tas walang time mag aral. Gusto ko talaga ng IM pero ganito ba talaga sa ibang ospital? Normal po ba ito for other Private hospitals? :( Parang hindi ko na kaya. If ever, san ako pwede na program sa metro manila?

Is it just me or is it pretty common for doctors to be late to their shifts?

My hospital duty ends at 8AM and I have another job at a nearby clinic at 9AM. I usually don’t mind extending a bit if needed, especially that my clinic is near lang. But we got toxic early in the morning, so before my shift ends, I still had to update consultants, do rounds, finish charting, and print OR techs.

I already refused to assist in a minor procedure at 8:45AM cos I assumed the incoming MD would take over (cos hello 8AM ang pasok) plus I have another duty at 9 but wala pa rin siya by 9

I know I technically did everything I was supposed to do, but I still felt guilty for not assisting in the OR. I also somehow felt guilty even though I had already stayed beyond my shift and our overtime isn’t even paid.

Is this just something people eventually accept in hospital practice? Or is it reasonable to expect people to arrive on time, especially when the outgoing doctor also has somewhere else to be?

a) From a Top Medschool w/ average grades

b) From an average medschool + top 10 of their batch

also, if the answer is B, does it mean you really have to double the effort compared to being in a top school already para may edge ka among the applicants? (palagi ko rin kasi nababasa sa medschoolph)

~ pa-yl2 pa lang po ako, kaya I want to know if i need to do better for my future.

We went to a pediatric neurologist yesterday for my baby's cranial ultrasound and this was how the doctor broke the news to me (mother of the patient), " Di sya normal kasi...". That was literally how she started talking about my baby's brain. Wala man lang cushion to the blow. Then she proceeded to explain the ultrasound. After her short, very-matter-of-fact, lacking human empathy consultation, it took only around 5 or 8 minutes, she then asked me how many days was my baby intubated in the NICU. I told her I can't recall as I was also in the high risk ward for days recovering from preeclampsia, it was my husband who was tending to our baby from day one until i was fully recovered. Neither my husband nor the nurses, everytime i asked, told me about my baby's status to protect me from stressing out while in recovery. Then she said in a snarky and dismissive manner "di mo man lang inalam, oh sige na ok na, tapos na kayo" like she was shooing away a dog. The god complex was heavy on her. I have never encountered a doctor as cold as her and i accompany my dad to his neurologist na pila balde ang patient unlike her pero napakapleasant na tao. Wala bang course even for a semester or whatever ang mga doctor sa med school about proper ways to show respect to your patient and how to break news to them? I was so shocked yesterday that i rushed my ate who waa carrying my baby so we can get out of her clinic. I looked her up sa fb then found out she's from UPM. Napakaganda ng med school where she earned her degree yet she ended up like that. I don't care what she went thru before the consult but that is not how you treat other people especially when they are paying for your service.

Edit 2

Di man lang nga ako nakatanong sa kanya thoroughly about her diagnosis cause when i asked her what will happen to my baby and what we should do next, she gave me a stink face as if i was asking stupid questions.

I’m planning to apply for pedia residency this year, with PCMC, NCH, and PGH as my top choices. I’d really appreciate hearing from current residents, graduates, or anyone familiar with the program.

1. How is the pre-res experience in PCMC?

W

1. hat should applicants expect in terms of workload, duties, and evaluations?

3. How is the overall work environment and culture?

4. Are there PHIC shares or other financial incentives aside from salary?

5. Does PCMC already use an EMR, or is charting still mostly through paper charts?

6. How are the teaching conferences and mentorship?

7. Any tips for succeeding during pre-res?

* Graduated from a provincial med school
* PRC Board Rating: 85%
* I’ve been moonlighting for the past 3 years, mostly in 3 government hospitals, so I’ve been away from formal residency training for quite some time.

I’m honestly wondering if the 3-year gap from graduation would put me at a disadvantage. Do applicants with a similar background still have a realistic chance of matching into PCMC?

I’d really appreciate any honest insights, advice, or experiences you can share. Thank you so much!