Dr Melanie Tan on a career in clinical governance

Welcome to another episode of CCIM, the podcast that explores creative career opportunities in the field of medicine. In this episode, our host Dr Dana Phang is joined by Dr Melanie Tan, who shares her experiences and insights into the world of clinical governance.Dr Tan starts off by recounting a heartbreaking case she worked on involving a doctor who was a witness in a claim against a hospital. Despite following all correct procedures, the doctor broke down in tears during a conference about the claim. This incident deeply affected Dr Tan, and she shares her reflections on the impact it had on both her and the doctor involved.Dr Tan then discusses her journey in the medical field, recounting her experience studying medicine and her initial interest in becoming a therapist. She shares how she discovered her empathetic nature, which influenced her decision to pursue a career focused on enhancing the quality of life for patients holistically. Dr Tan also talks about her transition from medicine to law, her interest in medical law, and her decision to combine her medical knowledge with a law degree.Throughout the episode, Dr Tan emphasises the importance of gaining diverse skills and experiences in the medical field. She encourages young doctors and medical students to be open-minded about different projects and research opportunities, as they can contribute to the development of transferable skills that are valuable in any medical specialty.In the latter part of the conversation, Dr Tan discusses her latest career shift into clinical governance - her ‘forever job’. She explains the concept of clinical governance and highlights the significance of maintaining control and overseeing healthcare practices to optimise patient outcomes. Dr Tan shares her passion for quality and safety in aged care and her interest in ethics and the intersection of law and medicine.Tune in to this thought-provoking episode as Dr Melanie Tan inspires clinicians to explore new career opportunities and embrace the possibilities of combining medicine with other disciplines.To get more CCIM, don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Join our Facebook community and subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and insights. You can find us at:creativecareersinmedicine.com and facebook.com/CreativeCareersInMed.The CCIM Podcast is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network, the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.