Chinese doctor quits 20-year medical career to open steamed bun shop for mental health relief

A woman in China, who dedicated over two decades to her career as a doctor, made a surprising choice three years ago to leave her profession and open a steamed stuffed bun store.As time passed, her store not only survived but flourished in the competitive food industry, prompting her to launch a second outlet in July.“When I was a doctor, the thought of quitting often crossed my mind. Now, running a bun shop keeps me busy and tired, but I am so happy that I can’t stop,” said Dong Min, 48, in an interview with the Changjiang Daily.In 2023, Dong garnered significant attention after starting her steamed stuffed bun shop in Wuhan, Hubei province, after a 20-year medical career.She graduated from Wuhan-university-school-of-medicine" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="207766" data-entity-type="organization">Wuhan University School of Medicine in 1999 and began her career as a gynaecologist in Shenzhen. Years later, she returned to Wuhan to assist her mother in managing a private clinic.A rare moment capturing Dong enjoying a well-deserved break while on duty. Photo: QQ.comUpon her mother’s retirement, they closed the clinic and returned to their hometown of Tianmen, also in Hubei, where Dong took a position as a doctor and the legal representative of a small community hospital.“As a doctor, I faced considerable mental stress. In addition to treating patients, I had to devote significant energy to managing non-medical affairs, such as dealing with frequent inspections from various government agencies,” Dong explained.“It is well-known that the relationship between hospitals and patients is often tense in China. In cases of medical disputes, I bore the full responsibility since I was the legal representative of the hospital,” she added.In stark contrast to her prior role, Dong expressed that she currently experiences no psychological pressure, despite working more than 10 hours daily.Her interest in the steamed stuffed bun business sparked in 2023, inspired by a friend whose family owned a similar store.Initially, Dong invested in a bun shop, but when the chef abruptly resigned, she took it upon herself to learn the art of bun-making.When the chef at her newly invested bun shop abruptly quit, Dong took over, mastered the art of bun-making, and discovered a true passion for it. Photo: QQ.comShe quickly mastered the skills, finding joy in the process.Ultimately, Dong chose to leave her medical career to fully dedicate herself to the operation of the bun store.Initially, her family opposed her decision, as being a doctor is traditionally regarded as a “decent and respected” profession.In response, Dong stated: “I am nearly 50 years old and have gone through many experiences. I don’t care what others think of me. I just want to live a life I love and live for myself.”Gradually, her mother and brother began to support her, occasionally lending a hand at the store.“There is no definitive answer in life. It is never too late to make a change,” Dong remarked. “I hope to run my bun store until I can no longer move.”Doctors in China frequently experience severe physical and mental burnout due to overwhelming patient volumes and heavy administrative burdens. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty ImagesDong represents a growing trend of medical professionals leaving their careers to pursue what some may consider less prestigious occupations.In 2024, a doctor with 13 years of experience in a clinical laboratory at a major hospital in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, also quit to start a street snack stall. He noted that his income from the stall significantly exceeded his previous earnings of less than 10,000 yuan (US$1,500) per month.Further Reading“Doctors are not merely burdened by physical exhaustion; they also suffer from mental burnout. This is a structural issue affecting the entire industry, not just individuals,” commented the Xing Lin Yuan Community, a social media account catering to doctors in China.“They encounter endless non-medical tasks and the risks associated with patient complaints, yet their income does not reflect the extensive education and effort they invest,” the editorial concluded.