What’s in the doctor’s bag of… Demi Lie Fong: locum GP and creative soul

Meet Demi! Demi is a locum GP, proud mom of two daughters and a true creative soul. Besides her work in the consulting room, she writes and illustrates stories for her own children’s books and develops educational games. Because who says you can only have one passion?!

Another fun fact: Demi is the proud owner of not one, but two VanVeer doctor’s bags! We’re sitting down with her to talk about her bag, her creative projects and which prejudice about GPs she’d love to get rid of.

1. Let’s jump right in: what’s in your VanVeer?

A whole GP practice in miniature!

I have two matching pouches where I keep my medical instruments. One holds my stethoscope, blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter, among other things. The other has my otoscope, reflex hammer and tuning fork.

Luckily, my VanVeer also has several compartments, where I can fit my ampoule case, pocket mask, thermometer, bandages and medical pocket cards.

I like a bit of order and overview, especially at work. And with all those matching Zipper Pouches, it looks pretty cozy too!

2. How did the design of your VanVeer come about?

I have a confession to make: I’m now the proud owner of not one, but two VanVeer doctor’s bags!

I bought my first VanVeer during my GP training. Once I was officially a GP, I thought it was the perfect moment to treat myself to a new bag.

This time I went for the Premium Pack, including a personal design session with Vera. Together we looked at the colors, materials and combinations that suit me. And that’s how my current bag was born!

What I found so special is that I could design something that’s not only functional, but also really shows my personality. I regularly get compliments from patients and colleagues on my bag!

3. Which new VanVeer product should absolutely exist?

A matching roll-up case for medical instruments! I already have two pouches, but I think it would be incredibly handy to keep my smaller instruments neatly together too. Think of my reflex hammer, tuning fork, measuring tape and penlight.

Ideally with elastic holders in different sizes, so everything has its own spot. No more searching during a house call, and you can roll everything out in one go. With an easy-to-clean inside, of course.

And the best part? If you can fully personalize it in the colors of your own VanVeer!

4. Now about you. Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Demi, although that’s actually my second name. My full name is Neyerilla Demiyati, but Demi is just a little easier for most people to remember!

I’m a locum GP and a proud mom of two daughters. Outside the consulting room, I love being creative. From writing and illustrating to crafting and inventing new games: there’s always a project in my head.

Or several at once. Usually several.

5. You’re not only a GP, but also a mom and a creative soul. What role does creativity play in your daily life?

A pretty big one! For me, creativity is mostly a way to bring my thoughts and ideas to life.

As a GP, I work a lot from knowledge, guidelines and protocols. Lovely, because I love structure! But outside of work, I enjoy letting my imagination run free.

Right now, for example, I’m writing and illustrating stories for my own children’s books and developing educational games. I also love crafting and discovering new things with my daughters. I draw a lot of inspiration from different cultures, stories and the small, everyday moments that make life special.

Creativity gives me energy and helps me make room for other sides of myself besides being a GP.

6. If you could change one thing in healthcare, what would it be?

The bureaucracy! It may sound cliché, but I’d love to see more time and space again for the patient, and for the connection with the person behind the question for help.

Hard work comes with being a GP, and I do it with love. But the amount of admin and accountability requirements that come with our profession is sometimes truly enormous. On top of that, more and more tasks land on the GP’s plate, and I find it a shame that health insurers and policymakers have so much influence on what happens in the consulting room.

I’d love to see more trust in our expertise and professional autonomy. So we can focus again on what we became GPs for in the first place: providing good, personal care.

And while we’re at it, I’d also love to get rid of the stubborn prejudice that GPs only prescribe paracetamol, haha. Because even behind the advice to just do nothing for a while, there can be a very deliberate medical decision!

7. What wise advice would you give to aspiring GPs?

Be aware of your own knowledge and skills, but especially of your limits. As a GP, you really don’t have to know everything, as long as you know what you do and don’t know. Dare to ask questions, to consult others, and above all, stay curious. Being consciously competent matters much more to me than pretending you have an answer to everything.

And maybe just as important: protect your work-life balance! Being a GP is incredibly rewarding, but it can also ask a lot of you. You don’t have to give everything to be a good doctor. Make room for yourself and for the things outside the consulting room that make you happy.

Because in the end, you don’t just want to become a good GP, you want to stay a GP with joy!

8. Is there one thing that instantly makes your day better?

An unexpectedly lovely or funny moment during my consultation hours. Sometimes it’s a genuine smile, a special conversation, or a patient you share a really good laugh with.

And at home? Two little arms around my neck and a big hug from my daughters. Then my day is instantly good.

9. What future plans are still tucked away in the drawer?

Oh, how much time do you have? Haha!

I have quite a few creative dreams I’d love to see come true. I think it would be incredibly special to publish my own children’s books and educational games one day.

With my Surinamese-Javanese and Chinese background, it’s important to me that children can recognize themselves, as well as other cultures and traditions, in stories and play. I hope to contribute a little to that with my own projects.

How special would it be if one of my stories ended up as a picture book on a family’s bookshelf?

For now, I’ll happily keep doctoring, dreaming and creating. Because who says you can only have one passion?

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Let’s talk specs! For her second doctor’s bag, Demi chose the Premium Pack with an Office Bag. For the colors, she went with a Hazel Distressed base, a Petrol body, a Cognac Snake hinge, Hazel Distressed details and handle, and a Dark Blush lining.

The design came to life together with Vera in a personal design session. Functional, organized and with a big dose of personality, exactly how Demi pictured it. And the matching Zipper Pouches make it extra cozy! 🧡

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Want a doctor’s bag that’s totally you, just like Demi? Find out here how it works, or click here to jump straight into the 3D Design Tool.