Long and Winding Pandemic Fails to Dampen Doctor’s Passion to Serve

Disclaimer: All activities depicted in this article were conducted in compliance with the COVID-19 rules and regulations at that given time.

Dr Tan Chun Yeal (left) conducting an Antigen Rapid Test (ART). (Photo by Chan May Ching)

With the COVID-19 Omicron variant causing a surge in local cases recently, it has left many wondering whether we are back at where we started almost two years ago. At Lakeside Family Medicine Clinic, the pandemic has seen resident doctor Tan Chun Yeal face various challenges. From an increase in workload to the constant changing of medical protocols to the risk of getting infected, there have been plenty for him to worry about during this period.

Teleconsultations and medication deliveries have also become the norm, especially during periods of the pandemic when the daily number of cases were sky high. With a greater number of walk-in visits, Dr Tan has seen the number of patients he handles increase. For instance, while he used to see around 16 patients in one morning, this number could now rise to more than 20.

“Work has been more challenging over the past two years. With more walk-in patients now, it has definitely left an impact on the care for our patients,” shared Dr Tan, who joined Tzu Chi as a full-time doctor in 2019.

“There is no holistic way. We want to spend more time with them during the consultations but at the same time, we want to clear the queues fast to reduce the patients’ waiting time.”

In a bid to reduce the possible spread of the virus, patients are not encouraged to stay long in the clinic and that has had some effects on the way care is traditionally provided at Tzu Chi. However, Dr Tan has continued trying his best to work within the current constraints to maintain a level of care that goes beyond just medical treatment.

“I used to spend plenty of time talking to the patients about more than just their health but now there is simply no time,” the 33-year-old shared. “But I’ve been working here for three years now so there is already a rapport formed with my regular patients whom I’m able to see faster. But for the new patients, I try to spend more time with them as humanistic care is something we emphasise here at Tzu Chi.”    

 Teleconsulting has become common for Dr Tan during the pandemic period. (Photo by Chan May Ching)

Joining Tzu Chi

This humanistic side of Tzu Chi was also a key factor in attracting Dr Tan to the organisation in the first place. Having been part of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth Association (Tzu Ching) since his first year in medical school back in 2008, he had been an active volunteer in various Tzu Chi activities over the years. After working in the public hospital and polyclinic for a couple of years, he was looking to move on to the private sector after receiving his full registration as a doctor. That was when Tzu Chi came calling as the organisation was on the lookout for doctors at that time.

“The affinity with Tzu Chi convinced me to join. They are like my family, so if they need me, I don’t mind stepping up,” he explained.

While he has had no regrets stepping up to the forefront in the medical line, most parts of his time as a Tzu Chi medical doctor have been unwittingly marred by the pandemic, and it has had an impact on his life outside of work. Even though Dr Tan is personally unfazed by the virus, his main worry stems from unknowingly spreading it to the people around him. This is why he has tried to control his movements as much as possible over the past two years, such as reducing contact with his brother and young family whom he currently resides with. In order to maintain a safe distance, he would try to remain at the clinic later to do work before going home. While many would feel that this is a huge sacrifice to make, Dr Tan simply brushes it off, citing it as part of his job. He also pointed out that there are other healthcare workers who have given up more during this period. 

 Dr Tan would don the full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) attire when handling suspected COVID-19 patients. (Photo by Chan May Ching)

 Dr Tan (left) attending to patients pre-pandemic. (Photo by Chan May Ching)

Leaving a Positive Impact

Other than being the resident doctor for Lakeside Family Medicine Clinic, Dr Tan also takes time out of his busy schedule to help with the fortnightly volunteer-run Sunday duty at Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Redhill). Due to the need to prevent possible cross-contamination across different medical institutions during this period, it has been more challenging finding volunteer doctors to serve but he had willingly stepped up to fill this void. Clinic duties at Redhill involves him voluntarily seeing patients once a month as well as planning the roster of volunteer doctors. With his compassion and enthusiasm to serve, people who have worked alongside him have only had good words to say about his character.

“He is really responsible, diligent, and a good team player,” shared Dr Ho Xin Qin, a fellow Tzu Chi doctor who has worked with Dr Tan at both clinics.  

Dr Ho also recounted a story of a patient at Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Redhill) who was immensely grateful towards Dr Tan for indirectly saving her life. The patient had initially visited the clinic hoping to seek help for shoulder pain. But after an electrocardiogram, Dr Tan discovered that she could be having a heart attack. A decision was made to send her to the hospital, with Dr Tan voluntarily waiting with her for the ambulance despite it being past clinic operating hours by that time. At the hospital, the doctors opened up her coronary vessels and her life was eventually saved. From this incident, it showed the conscientious manner in which Dr Tan treated his work, with patients the ultimate beneficiaries from his professionalism.   

 Dr Ho Xin Qin (right) seeing patients at the clinic pre-pandemic. (Photo by Phang Wei Wan)

Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Redhill) volunteer doctor, Dr Vivian Tan, is another one of those who has worked alongside Dr Tan and she too was effusive in her praises of his attitude towards work.

She said: “When I first volunteered at Tzu Chi Free Clinic, he was very patient and detailed in explaining how things work. He is a very helpful colleague and a kind doctor who would always have time for his patients.”   

Over the past two years, there have been many stories of healthcare workers throwing in the towel due to stress, fatigue among many other reasons. But for Dr Tan, despite the various obstacles that have been thrown onto his path, the thought of wavering from his duties has never once crossed his mind.

“We always go back to the initial reason why we are here. I feel very powerful working at Tzu Chi because when you practice the Dharma teachings and feel the joy, that’s how you keep on going,” he said. “Even though we can be overloaded with work, as long as we are doing things the correct way and offering the best to our patients, it doesn’t feel like we are wasting our time.”

And his efforts at putting his best foot forward for his patients has not gone unnoticed among those who he has consulted, with many coming forward to thank him and even bringing food. Some of his regular patients even come to see him despite not having any illness, intending to just have a chat. It speaks volumes of the rapport built up between him and his patients, and is a testament to the work he has done through the years.    

Due to the constant mutating of the COVID-19 virus, it could mean that the pandemic might still remain here for some time yet. But as long as dedicated medical staff such as Dr Tan continue to remain on board, there is no doubt that we will all be able to tide through the storm and emerge even stronger out of it.  

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