This document summarizes the early career experiences of a psychiatrist in Malaysia. It outlines the steps taken to establish an organization for early career psychiatrists, including initiating a section within the Malaysian Psychiatric Association from 2004-2010, then consolidating the organization from 2010 onward. Key issues addressed establishing a safe space for early career psychiatrists to grow, recognizing them as important players rather than followers, and balancing independence with guidance. Challenges included implementing new ideas with time and resource constraints. Lessons included generating new leadership certification programs through various conferences to address needs and overcome common challenges in an innovative, organized manner using technology. This resulted in increased membership and a stronger identity for the early career psychiatrists.

1. EARLY CAREER PSYCHIATRIST
ORGANIZATION IN MALAYSIA:
STEPS, CHALLENGES & LESSONS
Dr. Umi Adzlin Silim
Psychiatrist, Hospital Putrajaya, Malaysia
Immediate Past President Section on Early
Career Psychiatrist, Malaysian Psychiatric
Association 2010-2012.

2. Introduction
• Jauh Perjalanan, Luas pemandangan
Jauh Perjalanan...
Luas Pemandangan

3. Overview
• Introduction
• Steps
• Key issues
• Key challenges
• Lessons
• Conclusions

4. STEPS
“There is no one giant step that does it;
it is a lot of small steps”

5. Steps: Initiation Phase (2004-2010)

6. Steps: Consolidation Phase (2010-present)

7. KEY ISSUES
“Do not limit your challenges, challenge
your limit”

8. Key Issues 1
• Organizational structure needs to provide ECPs a safe
space to grow
Section on ECP
MPA

9. Key Issues 2
• ECPs as important players, not followers.

10. Key Issues 3
• Organization must
blend well the ECPs’
needs for trust in an
INTERDEPENDENT
relationship and needs
for guidance and
mentorship from senior
colleagues.
Stephen E. Covey: The 7th Habit of Highly Effective People

11. Key issues 4
• Organization needs to
embrace a
LEADERSHIP theme
close to its
heart!

12. KEY CHALLENGES
“If it does not challenge you, it does not
change you”

13. Key Challenges
New, fresh, innovative ideas
Time constraint
Distance & networking
Financial obstacle
Maintaining morale

14. LESSONS
“Some lessons cannot be taught, they
simply have to be learned!”

15. Case Study: Leadership Certification
How-to:
Generating
new ideas
Overcoming
time
constraint
Overcoming
distance &
networking
issues
Overcoming
financial
issues
Maintaining
morale

16. Generating a new idea:
Situational analysis
Analyze on
unmet needs &
reflection on
past activities
Analyze how
we can
contribute &
expectations on
us

17. Modules:
Bridging the Gap of Unmet Needs
Management
&
Administrative
Skills Course
Work-Life
Balance
Program
Media skills
Training
Social
Advocacy
Training
Leadership
Course
17

18. Rebranding:
Landmark umbrella project
LEADERSHIP COURSES
& CERTIFICATION

19. Implementation:
Innovative ways in organizing activities
Management
&
Administrative
Skills Course
Johor Mental
Health
Conference
APRIL
(Southern)
Work-Life
Balance
Program
Malaysian
Conference of
Psychological
Medicine
JUNE
(Central)
Media skills
Training
Malaysian
Conference of
Psychological
Medicine
JUNE
(Central)
Social
Advocacy
Training
Perak Mental
Health
Conference
OCTOBER
(Northern)
Leadership
Course
Universiti
Kebangsaan
Malaysia
NOVEMBER
19

20. Implementation:
Proactive in overcoming challenges
Incorporating
series of courses
in 5 established
annual
conferences
Ensure high
quality, well
organized, well
attended, cost
effective and
sustainable
Overcome
common
challenges:
manpower, time
and budget
constraints
20

21. Implementation;
Getting things done ECP-friendly

22. 22
<10 members in 2010 > 40 members in 2012
> 70 members in 2013
Membership Drive

23. Facebook Pages

24. Series of courses in Leadership Course

25. Conclusion
FOUNDATION
• A mindful view of ECPs’ needs
• A thoughtful understanding on local background or how existing things work
• A high aspiration of the future.
STRUCTURE
• A well-planned organizational structure
STRATEGIES
• A well-thought strategies to overcome challenges
• A full use of information technology & social networking as ‘the way of getting
things done’
• A landmark project to make an impact: a rebranding work to give a fresh new
perspective of ECPs’ vision and mission, cost-effective, ‘ECPs-friendly’ ,
attractive, effective to produce desired outcomes; ‘branded’ , presentable
enough to be published in the end.
OUTCOME
• A sense of identity, unity and continuity.

26. TERIMA KASIH
umiadzlin@gmail.com