“Wag na, masisira buhay n’yo”

Doctor’s blunt advice to aspiring physicians sparks debate over the realities of pursuing medicine.

A doctor’s blunt reply discouraging someone from pursuing medicine—an exchange many later described as unprofessional—has sparked a wider discussion among Filipino medical students and professionals about the realities of the profession.

On TikTok, an undergraduate student shared his dream of entering medical school and becoming a doctor someday. A commenter who introduced themself “as an MD” responded with a warning: “’Wag na, masisira buhay n’yo.”

The aspiring doctor acknowledged the physician’s experience but said he remained “firm” in his decision to pursue medicine and become a good doctor. The MD then replied, “Di mo alam kasi di ka Med or MD. And you’ll never understand unless you become one. It’s a trap!”

A screenshot of the exchange later made its way to Reddit, where users debated whether the doctor’s advice reflected unnecessary pessimism or difficult truths.

pansin ko lang sa tiktok na ang daming nag didiscourage maging MD
by u/EveningStar2626 in medschoolph

While the author of the Reddit post argued that doctors should encourage aspiring physicians rather than discourage them, many commenters instead agreed with the doctor’s sentiments, citing their own experiences pursuing medicine in the Philippines.

Common sentiments centered around low salaries and limited benefits, long training hours and shifts, burnout, the high cost of medical school, and longstanding issues within the Philippine healthcare system.

Concerns over low compensation led the discussion, with many users saying their pay did not reflect the demands of the job. Others said they had to resort to “moonlighting,” or taking on additional jobs, to support themselves financially.

A 2025 Philippine Institute for Development Studies report found that Philippine healthcare workers receive only 12% to 18% of the country’s health spending as compensation—far below the global average of 34%.

The report also found that healthcare workers earn nearly ₱12,000 less on average than those in the information and communications sector, which has the country’s highest average base salary. Respondents also noted that “the monetary investments put in their education do not reflect back in their demanding line of work.”

Many commenters also pointed to the financial burden of becoming a doctor. Tuition in Philippine medical schools can range from around ₱50,000 to over ₱300,000 per year—on top of nearly a decade of education and training.

Others described the emotional and mental toll of the profession, saying the realities of the field made it difficult to stay motivated despite their passion for medicine. One Reddit user summed it up simply: “Compassion fatigue is real.”

Several commenters argued that these challenges stem less from medicine itself—and more from systemic issues in the Philippine healthcare system. Others added that people outside the medical field often do not understand these realities unless they experience them firsthand.

While medicine remains one of the country’s most respected professions, the discussion underscored a growing sentiment among healthcare workers: aspiring doctors deserve an honest picture of the realities and sacrifices the career demands.