“My choices have been motivated by social needs.” reminisces Professor Wong. He obtained good results in his art subjects in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. However, he decided to switch to the science stream in another secondary school, forfeiting the opportunity to further his studies at his alma mater, only to find that he did not fit into the new environment. The turning point of his life came when he saw career opportunities in nursing. Without hesitation, he enrolled for a course to train as a registered nurse.
Professor Wong (first right) embarked on a new career in Australia in the 80s. Since then his life has taken a completely new turn.
According to Professor Wong, the tough hospital training nurtured an extremely efficient and meticulous attitude towards work. At the same time, what he saw in the medical sector of the 1970s made a lasting impact on him. Class segregation within the medical system provoked serious thought on various social issues and phenomena.
The high demand for medical professionals overseas created an excellent opportunity for Professor Wong, who embarked on a new career in Australia together with a good friend. There he met his “talent scout” who turned his life in an entirely new direction. In the hospital where he worked, the head of the nursing department was deeply impressed by his many talents. He encouraged Professor Wong to pursue further education, even reserving a teaching post for him upon his graduation. With the hospital’s support, Professor Wong completed two programmes in nursing and education.
During his studies in Australia, Professor Wong was exposed to a wealth of knowledge in education theories, philosophies of life and medical sociology. “Most of our time in class was spent on discussion instead of listening to lectures,” he recalls, which made him realise that the essence of learning lies in interaction and exchange.
On the eve of his graduation, the principal of another nursing school, who held Professor Wong in high regard, mentioned his wish to employ Professor Wong to his supervisor. Professor Wong thus found himself in a dilemma. However, his mentor acceded to the proposal, adding that whatever he did he would be contributing to Southern Australia after all. When Professor Wong recounted this memorable anecdote to us, it was as if everything had happened just yesterday. “The Australian culture respects development opportunities for individuals; it also stresses interpersonal communication, mutual trust, and encourages self-expression.”
After several years of teaching in Australia, the medical system in the country began its full-scale computerisation programmes. Given his background in science, Professor Wong was nominated by the college director to learn all about information technology – he thus began to study this new subject while teaching at the same time. In 1986, while on vacation in Hong Kong, a new opportunity knocked on his door once again. He chose to stay in Hong Kong, contributing enthusiastically to the advancement of the city’s public health education, which he is still involved in to this day.
“Mad Cow Disease”, “SARS”, avian flu, tainted milk powder leading to kidney failure... you name it. The spate of epidemics and tainted food problems have caused tremendous public commotion. The latest scramble for un-tainted milk powder on the market is a classic example. "I believe that this irrational behaviour could have been avoided if public health education is successful, and people have the knowledge to do the right thing,” Professor Wong comments. With the advent of the 21st century, knowledge and the social system are inseparable. For instance, neither the SARS nor the recent influenza outbreaks can be classified as a single problem in the medical profession.
"Many medical professionals were infected with SARS while at work during the outbreak. Should hospitals be held legally accountable? What contingency measures should schools take if there is an outbreak of influenza? How far should the government be held responsible?" Professor Wong asks.
Similarly, people generally believe that the implementation of primary health education is the responsibility of medical professionals and the government. Yet, Professor Wong thinks differently. He believes that Hong Kong’s medical system suffers from a constant shortage of manpower, and that medical jargon may not easily be understood by the general public. However, teachers, who are close to parents and students, can act as “knowledge agents”. They can help to convey public health messages to families, schools and the community with relative ease and effectiveness.
Professor Wong
(second left) at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee on Health Care and System Research in 2005.
School education is in fact closely linked to primary health care. "After school, students bring what they have learned back to their homes and their communities," says Professor Wong. "Public health can be integrated into school subjects on a daily basis. For instance, teachers
canteach students how to measure pulse and check breathing rates in Mathematics classes, killing two birds with one stone," he adds.
Yet, “knowledge agents” will need to be armed with extensive knowledge to be able to increase community public health awareness. Meeting this demand, Professor Wong is planning to launch a comprehensive health science programme that covers and focuses on the "physical, psychological, social and spiritual" aspects of the subject. Key areas to be explored include drug abuse, death, sexuality, obesity and mental health. Learning from discussions and firsthand experience, students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from this programme to their jobs in future.
Professor Wong illustrates the case with the following example. "We may not agree with the use of the Martian language (a term used to describe internet slang that is not commonly understood in the Chinese-speaking cyberspace world). Yet we need to know the underlying meaning of this language before we can communicate with students involved in this cyber world and understand the stresses to, and status of, their psychological health. We have to learn about life and death to explain the issue to adolescents with suicidal tendencies. We need physiological and psychological knowledge to identify the erratic behaviour of drug abusers and abused students. When necessary, we need to refer such cases to school social workers for follow up action."
Professor Wong reiterates that the career path for our graduates is not limited only to the teaching profession. A wide range of career choices such as public health education and promotion is always open to them. Nonetheless, equipping ourselves to keep abreast with society’s changing needs is the key to success.
People generally associate poor health with physical illness. However, health should also include psychological and emotional well-being. At the Hong Kong Medical and Health Care Fair 2008 held in August this year, a group of primary students were invited by the Institute to perform a repetoire from the Cantonese opera Princess Chang Ping, elaborating on the concept of li (rites/propriety), one of the Classical Six Arts advocated by Confucianism. “Li” works towards alleviating stress and maintaining physical and psychological fitness.
The Confucian tradition requires all students to master six basic skills called the “Six Arts” — li (rites/propriety), yue (music), she (archery), yu (riding), shu (writing/calligraphy) and shu (arithmetic). In contemporary terms, they refer to moral education, music, virtue and conduct, physical education, literature and mathematics.
The concept of li, in Professor Wong’s view, refers not only to the etiquette of our daily lives, but also to appropriate dress codes, manners and conduct under specific circumstances. For instance, someone attending a formal occasion, but who is dressed very casually, will suffer undue psychological pressures. Shili (breach of etiquette) therefore affects one’s emotional well-being. On the other hand, zhili (knowing the etiquette) can facilitate interpersonal relationships and mutual care within a community.
It is hoped that performances such as these, will teach students to appreciate Chinese classical etiquette, and help them to realise the importance of being able to express their feelings.
