Dr Margaret Zhang, NUHS Otolaryngology Residency Programme, 2018 Cohort
"When I started my Otolaryngology Residency Programme training, I was terrified – of the job scope, the patients and the bosses. Of course, I had done Otolaryngology postings by then and had tried rather fervently (at least I thought I did) to get in. I thought I knew the job scope and was fairly familiar with the daily work. However, when I saw my name on the list, I was euphoric initially, but it did give way to self-doubt and a nagging feeling of “what if I didn’t deserve it”.
Yet, almost four years later, it has been an enriching experience, and I do not regret it for a minute. There are more responsibilities, but that comes with equal parts fulfilment. Realising that you can successfully manage more and more conditions and surgeries as time passes is truly wonderful, whether it be tracheostomies or a simple nasal irrigation. Even the seemingly most straightforward procedures can have innumerable permutations, and the journey to learn how to manage them well will be a lifelong quest. It has not been smooth-sailing all the way by any measure, but I have been supported every step of the way.
As Terry Pratchett once wrote, “It is well known that a vital ingredient of success is not knowing that what you are attempting can’t be done.” With some hard work and determination, I am sure you could be an Otolaryngology Resident too.
A bittersweet journey so far for sure, but definitely a choice I will make in a heartbeat if I had to do it all again."