Why Doctors Drift in Their Careers — Lessons That Were Not Taught In Medicine | Dr Sidhya Choudhary

Why do so many doctors feel uncertain about their careers after medical school?Medical training prepares doctors to diagnose illness and care for patients. But it rarely teaches them how the profession itself works.In this episode of Postcall: Stories Beyond the White Coat, Dr Selina Chew speaks with physician and ScrubsBuddy writer Dr Sidhya Choudhary about the hidden curriculum of medicine — the unwritten rules that shape medical careers.Dr Sidhya shares her journey into medicine, her experiences working as a doctor, and the lessons she discovered about the profession that are rarely taught during MBBS or medical training.Topics covered in this episode include:• why many doctors drift through their careers • the hidden curriculum of medicine • expectations versus reality when starting work as a doctor • patients that leave a lasting imprint on physicians • the early years of a medical career • how doctors can design their careers intentionally • the role of writing and reflection in becoming a better clinician • the story behind the ScrubsBuddy newsletterIf you are a medical student, junior doctor, or physician wondering how to navigate your career in medicine, this conversation offers insight into the systems and lessons that shape the profession.Postcall is a podcast featuring doctors who are expanding medicine beyond the traditional path and impacting healthcare differently.Chapters 00:00 The Hidden Curriculum of Medicine01:53 Journey into Medicine: A Personal Story11:25 Medical School Experiences and Lessons Learned16:38 The Reality of Clinical Practice23:34 The Human Side of Medicine: Empathy and Understanding30:15 Navigating Hospital Challenges32:07 Surprising Realities of the Medical Profession36:22 The Stigma of Medical Officers40:30 Lessons Learned the Hard Way46:52 Intentional Career Design in Medicine51:25 Emphasizing the Human Side of Medicine🎧 Listen to the other podcast here: https://disruptive-doctors.com/postcall-beyond-the-white-coat/📌 Download the Disruptive Doctors app to connect with a global community of doctors impacting healthcare differently.Google Playstore https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.disruptive.doctorsApple App Store https://apps.apple.com/app/id6747108951👉 Like, subscribe, and share this video with your colleagues to spark meaningful conversations about the future of medicine!Join Disruptive Doctors www.disruptive-doctors.comJoin us at DD CON 2026 on the 11 & 12 September 2026 where doctors thrive in the age of AI. Get your tickets here https://disruptive-doctors.com/dd-con-2026/Check out our Top Non-Clinical Healthcare Programmes for Doctors. https://disruptive-doctors.com/top-non-clinical-healthcare-programmes-for-doctors/If you’re interested in advancing your clinical skills, check out our Specialty Medicine Certification Hub. https://disruptive-doctors.com/specialty-medicine-certification-hub/If you’re running a GP Clinic check out GP Clinic Solutions Hub to get all the resources you need to successfully run your GP Clinic. https://disruptive-doctors.com/gp-clinic-solutions-hub/