Working as a Doctor: Public vs Private Hospital

By: Koo Jayoon

Doctors play a crucial role in healthcare, whether in public or private hospitals. While their core duty- providing medical care- remains the same, their daily routines, workload, and career experiences differed significantly depending on the sector.

Doctors in public hospitals typically have demanding schedules, often working long shifts, including nights, weekends and public holidays. They manage a high patient load, dealing with a variety of medical conditions, from routine cases to complex emergencies. Public hospital doctors are heavily involved in patient care, conducting medical examinations, prescribing treatments, performing surgeries or procedures, and collaborating with nurses, specialists, and other healthcare professionals.

Training and specialisation in public hospitals follow a structure with clear progression opportunities. Doctors may rotate across different departments, gaining broad clinical exposure. Additionally, they are often involved in medical research and teaching medical students or junior doctors. 

In private hospitals, doctors generally have more predictable schedules, with fewer overnight or weekend shifts. They typically have fewer patients per day, allowing for longer consultations and more personalized treatment plans. Private doctors focus on elective procedures, follow-up care, and specialized treatments rather than handling emergency cases frequently. Some private hospital doctors also manage their practices, balancing medical duties with administrative and business responsibilities. Unlike public hospitals, private institutions may offer less structured training, meaning doctors must seek further specialization opportunities independently.

Hence, one major difference between public and private hospitals is the workload and patient volume. Public hospital doctors handle a significantly higher number of patients each day, often working under intense pressure in fast-paced environments. In contrast, private hospital doctors generally see fewer patients, allowing them to spend more time on individual cases and provide more personalized care.1

Career progression and training also differ between the two sectors. Public hospitals offer structured career development with clear training pathways that help doctors specialize in various medical fields. Private hospitals, on the other hand, provide more autonomy, but the doctors take great initiative in seeking further specialization or professional development.The salaries and benefits vary as well. Public hospital doctors typically start with lower salaries, but their pay increases steadily with experience, alongside stable benefits such as government-supported healthcare plans and pensions. Private hospital doctors, however, often earn higher salaries, with earnings depending on patient consultations and overall reputation in the field.3

Both public and private hospital doctors play vital roles in healthcare. Public hospital doctors gain extensive experience in diverse medical cases, while private doctors enjoy better work-life balance and higher earnings. Many doctors start in public hospitals to build expertise before transitioning to private practice for greater independence. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal career goals and lifestyle preferences

References:

1: Singapore Medical Association. (2002). SMA News February 2002, News Article 3. Retrieved from https://www.sma.org.sg/sma_news/2902/news/2902N3.htm.​

2: MedRecruit. (n.d.). Public vs. Private: We weigh the pros and cons. Retrieved from https://medrecruit.medworld.com/articles/locuming-balance-the-money-of-private-with-the-altruism-of-public.

3: ​Shryock, T. (2024, January 23). Want more pay? Work for a private practice. Medical Economics. Retrieved from https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/want-more-pay-work-for-a-private-practice.