fellowship ebrochure

Organization Accreditedby Joint Commission International

Melius Medicus ScientiusT h e B e t t e r D o c t o r i s t h e L e a r n e d O n e .

Fellowship Information Booklet

Director’s Message 1

SGH Overview 2

SGH as a Teaching Hospital 3

Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) 3

Overview - Fellowship / Clinical Attachments 4

Fellowship Attachment (Clinical Fellow) 5

Observer Attachment 6

Application Process 7

Estimated Training Expenses 8

Continent 9

List of FAQs / List of Miscellaneous Information 10-13

About SINGAPORE 14

Estimated Living Expenses 15

Interview with Dr Aung Htet 16

Alumnus Feature 16

Contents Page

Fellowship Information Booklet 1

Director’s Message

Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a teaching institution with long tradition of providing

affordable specialist healthcare to the public, is a member of the SingHealth (Singapore Health Services) Group. This is an integrated healthcare service delivery network with a network of 3 hospitals (SGH, KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Bright Vision Community Hospital), 5 National Specialist Centers (Cancer, Heart, Eye, Neuroscience, Dental) and 9 polyclinics allowing an unprecedented level of learning and training opportunities.

Since its founding in 1994, the Singapore General Hospital Postgraduate Medical Institute (SGH-PGMI) has championed postgraduate medical education and training activities within the Hospital and Outram campus. This promotion of medical knowledge for patient care and commitment to the nurturing of healthcare professionals has helped enhance the reputation of SGH as a world-class academic medical institution. SGH-PGMI offers a rich variety of programs designed to meet the learning and continuing education needs of doctors. Besides organizing and conducting training courses, seminars and events, the management of hands-on clinical Fellowship and short-term Observer programs within 29 SGH clinical departments constitute another core function of PGMI. These programs attract high levels of interest from clinicians in the region and beyond who desire to advance their training or learn a new skill and technique. The training occurs in a unique multi-disciplinary clinical setting under the tutelage of renowned academic doctors and the availability of state-of-the-art technology. Almost 500 postgraduate doctors from more than 42 countries have completed clinical fellowships in SGH in the last 6 years.

I hope you will find this prospectus useful as you contemplate an attachment with SGH as the next step in your medical career. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have further enquiries and we look forward to welcoming you to Singapore and to the Singapore General Hospital.

Warm regards,

Assoc. Prof. Peter Lim

Director, SGH-PGMI

Fellowship Information Booklet2

SGH Overview

Established in 1821, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) is

Singapore’s oldest and largest acute care tertiary hospital. It is the third largest teaching hospital in the world to have attained the Joint Commission International standards of safety and quality healthcare in 2008. It was awarded a 3rd re-accreditation in August 2011.

The SGH Campus houses 36 clinical specialties, including Haematology, Renal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pathology and Plastic Surgery (Burns), which were established as national referral centres.

SGH operates as a restructured hospital and is a member of SingHealth (Singapore Health Services) Group, an integrated healthcare delivery network incorporated on 31 March 2000 comprising hospitals, national specialty centres and polyclinics.

Sharing the SGH campus with the Hospital are sister institutions under the SingHealth Group – National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS), National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), Singapore National Eye Center (SNEC) and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, the country’s second medical school.

SGH is a not-for-profit institution with a long tradition of providing affordable tertiary healthcare and medical education to successive generations of healthcare professionals. Our strong public service mission is the driving force behind the Hospital’s efforts and achievements in service, education and research – the “three pillars” of SGH.


SGH as a Teaching Hospital

SGH has been nurturing generations of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals since the early 1900s. It became the first

postgraduate teaching hospital for specialist training following the creation of specialty departments in the 1960s. Today, students from both the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore spend a substantial part of their curriculum in SGH. At least a third of the medical staff hold concurrent teaching positions at the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and appointments with Duke-NUS.

Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI)

SGH Postgraduate Medical Institute (SGH-PGMI) commenced operations on 2 April 1994 and was officially opened on 28 April 1995 by

Dr Kwa Soon Bee, Permanent Secretary (Health)/Director of Manpower Services and Chairman Medical Board, SGH. The role of SGH-PGMI was to consolidate the hospital’s resources and act as the postgraduate medical training centre of SGH.

Besides spearheading programmes aimed at promoting postgraduate medical education, the Institute also serves to facilitate, co-ordinate, oversee and provide advice on all operational and administrative aspects of postgraduate medical education and training conducted by SGH medical staff. Its goal is to ensure that doctors are continually kept abreast with the latest developments in medicine, and ready to meet the changing needs of medical care and their patients.

SGH-PGMI’s mission is rooted in the belief that continuing education is integral to the competence of a doctor. This commitment to continuing education is reinforced in the SGH-PGMI motto: “MELIUS MEDICUS SCIENTIUS”, which translates into “the better doctor is the learned one”.

Over the years, SGH-PGMI has organised and provided secretariat support to a wide variety of medical events and programmes such as GP CME programmes, scientific meetings, training workshop and other medical programs. SGH-PGMI has established itself amongst healthcare professionals in the region as a premier postgraduate medical education and training centre.


Overview - Fellowship / Clinical Attachments

The Fellowship / Clinical Attachment Programmes at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) offer foreign doctors short-term attachments for clinical

training in more than 20 clinical departments. These programmes provide a comprehensive range of medical, surgical and clinical support specialty training.

Ambulatory & Clinical Services Medicine Surgery

Diagnostic Radiology Dermatology Anaesthesia & Surgical Intensive Care

Emergency Medicine Endocrinology Colorectal Surgery

Nuclear Medicine Gastroenterology General Medicine

Pathology Geriatric Medicine Hand Surgery

Haematology Neurosurgery

Internal Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology

Neurology Orthopedic Surgery

Psychiatry Otolaryngology

Neonatal & Developmental Medicine

Plastic, Recontructive & Aesthetic Surgery

Rehabilitation Medicine Pain Management

Rheumatology and Immunology Urology

Renal Medicine

Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine

Each department offers training in one or more subspecialties. List of subspecialties and types of services can be obtained from the departmental webpages in the hospital’s website (www.sgh.com.sg).


Fellowship Attachment (Clinical Fellow)

SummaryDuration of Training: 6 months to a maximum of 12 months. There are competitive SGH Clinical/Department sponsored Fellowships available.

The SGH-PGMI administrative fee and SGH training fee to the department is also applicable.

Eligibility Criteria• Basic&PostgraduateMedicalDegree.

• 2-year Clinical (working) experience after attainment of postgraduate qualification.

• Currentlyemployed.

• English Proficiency (IELTS, TOFEL) for candidates whose medium of instruction is not in English.

• RelevantMedicalPracticinglicensewithhomemedicalauthorities.

• SuccessfulapplicationforrelevantregistrationwiththeSingaporeMedical Council (SMC);

• Successful application for training employment pass from theSingapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

• Approvalofcandidate’soverseastrainingtheanyrelevantgovernmentaland institutional authorities in candidate’s country.

• Passing a pre-attachment medical examination, including Hepatitis B (antigen) test, conducted by an SGH-PGMI appointed clinic.

• SubmissionofLetterofSponsorship,undertakingallrequiredexpensesfor the fellowship attachment are borne by your sponsor and you if applicable.

• The candidate shall hold and maintain valid Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification (BCLS) for the duration of the fellowship / clinical attachment. The certification must be issued by an internationally recognised authority. Candidates joining the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Units must also be Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified.


Observer Attachment

SummaryDuration of training: maximum of 4 weeks

Strictly hands-off training

SGH-PGMI administrative fee is applicable. SGH department training fee is also applicable.

Eligibility Criteria• BasicMedicalDegree

• Current&FutureEmployment

• RelevantMedicalPracticinglicense

• CandidatestoapplyforentryvisaintoSingapore


Application ProcessBEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATION

Confirm funding resources

Obtain in-principle approval from employer/ Ministry to

undergo attachment

Select ONE attachment programme

Online application : •Submittedathttp://www.pgmi.com.sg•Printoutapplicationforreference

Confirm fulfillment of all requirements:-

•basic&postgraduatemedical qualification•clinical&teachingexperience•current&futureemployment

•medicalregistration•proficiencyinEnglish

Read and understand all information pertaining to the

selected programme

SUBMITTING APPLICATION

Applications processed on a monthly basis

Wait for application results :•Expectedtobeannounced6-9monthsafterapplicationclosingdate

•Candidatestobeinformedbye-mail

AFTER SUBMITTING APPLICATION

Candidate accepts/rejects Conditional Offer

Prepare for attachment

Unsuccessful application SGH-PGMI informs by e-mail or post

Successful application SGH-PGMI sends Conditional Offer


Estimated Training Expenses

Fellowship Attachment

Clinical Attachment (Observer)

SGH – PGMI Administrative Fee* SGD 535 SGD 160.50

SGH Training Fee* SGD 3,210 per mth (inclusive of 7% GST)

SGD 1,070 per week

Temporary Registration (SMC)- Application Fee - Practicing Certificate

00SGD 250 SGD 200

N.A.

Training Employment Pass (MOM) SGD 250

Medical Examination (S’pore) SGD 120 – SGD 300

Malpractice Insurance Coverage

SGD 282.50 (for 6 Months)

SGD 565 (for 12 Months)

BCLS / ACLS Courses SGD 120 – SGD 400

Hospital & Surgical Health Insurance SGD 125 – SGD 300

* Please take note the above estimation is subject to prevailing Singapore government and/or SGH levies & taxes stated otherwise (7% GST as at 2013). Information is correct as of printing.


Continent

Fellowship Applicants

Continent

33% South East Asia31% South Asia25% East Asia5% Middle East6% Others

Close to 500 Fellowfrom 42 countries

have trained in SGH

South East AsiaOthers

8%Vietnam

12%Myanmar

9%

Indonesia 12%

Philipines 26%

Malaysia 33%

East Asia

Middle East

Saudi Arabia

2%

Oman 37%

Kuwait 11%

Egypt 10%

Bahrain 26%

Others

Others 40%

Australia 20%

UK12%

US28%

South Asia

India 64%

Pakistan 15%

Bangladesh11%

Others10%

Japan 2%

Hong Kong 9%

Korea 1% Mongolia

1%

China 87%

South Asia 31%

South East Asia 33%

Others6%

East Asia 25%

Middle East5%


List of FAQs / List of Miscellaneous Information

1. I would like to apply for an attachment in Singapore General Hospital.

a. I am a pre-university student (have not entered medical school).

• You are not eligible for any training attachment programme administered by SGH-PGMI.

• Please refer to the Education & Training section at the hospital website at www.sgh.com.sg

b. I am a medical student (have not graduated).


• Please refer to the Education & Training section at the hospital website at www.sgh.com.sg

c. I am a house officer/intern (graduated but does not have license to practice independently).


• Please refer to the Education & Training section of the hospital website at www.sgh.com.sg

d. I am a medical officer/registrar/resident/fellow (undergoing specialty training).

• Applicants with a basic medical degree only qualify as an observer. For clinical fellowships, you need to have a postgraduate degree and 2 years of clinical experience.

• You may submit an application online at SGH-PGMI website www.pgmi.com.sg

e. I am a consultant/specialist (registered and practicing independently as a specialist).

• You are eligible to apply for all types of fellowship/clinical attachment programmes, application will be subject to fulfillment of other requirements such as employment, English proficiency, etc.

• You may submit an application online at SGH-PGMI website www.pgmi.com.sg


2. I would like to seek employment in Singapore General Hospital.

• Thefellowship/clinicalattachmentsarenotemploymentpositions.

• Please refer to the Recruitment section at the hospital website at www.sgh.com.sg

3. I would like to undergo specialist training in Singapore General Hospital.

• The fellowship/clinical attachmentsarenot recognized for leading to formal specialist qualications training.

• Please refer to the Training Opportunity section at the Singapore Ministry of Heath website at www.moh.gov.sg

4. How many positions are there for each attachment programme?

The number of positions is dependant on the prevailing availability of resources at the respective departments for the period applied.

5. I would like to obtain sponsorship for the attachment in Singapore General Hospital.

• If you are eligible for a Fellowship attachment programme, youmay apply for the competitive SGH Clinical Fellowship or selected department sponsorship administered by SGH-PGMI :

- Basic & postgraduate medical degree

- Other fellowship requirements are listed on page 7

• ThesponsorshipoffersamonthlystipenduptoSGD2000permonthfor 6 months.

6. If I meet all the eligibility criteria, will my application be successful?

The application result is subject to the department’s available resources.

7. I have submitted the application for attachment. How do I find out the status of application?

• Applicationsareprocessedonamonthlybasis.

• Candidateswhoareselectedcanexpecttocommencetheirfellowship 6-9 months from the date of the notification.

• Uponreleaseofresultsbythedepartments,candidateswillbecontacted via email.

List of FAQs / List of Miscellaneous Information (Continued)


8. If my application is unsuccessful :

a. Can I find out the reason?

• Weareunabletoprovidethereasonsforunsuccessfulapplications. Each application is judged on its individual merits and is dependent on meeting the department’s requirements.

b. Can I submit another application?

• Candidates are welcomed tomake subsequent applications with either the same department or another.

9. If my application is successful, when can I commence attachment?

Successful candidates can expect to commence their training an estimated 6-9 months after notification.

10. How do I apply for temporary registration with Singapore Medical Council?

We will apply for temporary registration on behalf of the successful candidates. To know more about Singapore Medical Council’s requirements, please visit www.smc.gov.sg

11. How do I apply for training employment pass with Singapore Ministry of Manpower ?

We will apply for the training employment pass on behalf of the successful candidates. To know more about Singapore Ministry of Manpower requirements, please visit www.mom.gov.sg

12. Do I need a visa to enter Singapore? For more information, kindly view the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority Singapore’s website at www.ica.gov.sg

13. What expenses do I have to prepare for?

Candidates who are successful in their applications will be advised accordingly. Such expenses include, transport, housing, living expenditure, insurance, etc.



14. What are the available choices for accommodation?

Successful candidates are responsible for sourcing their own accommodations while in Singapore. We do not provide any assistance with accomodation. We can provide you with a list of options.

15. Do I have to sit for any English proficiency test?

a. For those whose medium of study at medical school was English - No

b. For those whose medium of study at medical school was not English - Singapore Medical Council requires international medical graduates to produce evidence of proficiency in English Language by submitting test results from the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) or the Test of English as a foreign Language (TOFEL) or the Occupational English Test (OET). Those who scored above within the minimum score accepted by SMC can be considered, subject to a 2-year validity period based on the date of the test.

✚ IELTS - at least 7 for each component (Listening, Reading, Writing AND Speaking) in academic module

✚ TOEFL - 250 marks for computer-based test or 600 marks for paper- based test or 100 marks for Internet-based test

✚ OET - Grade B and above

Please visit SMC website at http://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/content/hprof/smc/en/leftnav/becoming_a_registereddoctor/documentation_requirements_processing_time.html#Evidence of English Proficiency

16. My family would like to accompany me in Singapore. What are the requirements?

It is up to the candidates but all arrangements and expenses are to be borne by the candidate. The secretariat will not be responsible for or assist with arrangements pertaining to candidate’s family.

17. I have completed the attachment in Singapore General Hospital.

a. Can I seek employment in Singapore? - No

b. Can I register as a specialist? - No

You are required to sign a letter of undertaking that you will return home after your training. Please refer to SMC, SGH for information regarding employment matters / registering as a specialist in Singapore.


http://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/content/hprof/smc/en/leftnav/becoming_a_registereddoctor/documentation_requirements_processing_time.html#Evidence of English Proficiency




About SINGAPORE

Singapore officially the Republic of Singapore is a southeast Asian city-state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 137 kilometers

(85 miles) north of the equator. Its an island country made up of 63 islands which is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia’s Riau Islands by the Singapore Straits to its south.

In terms of purchasing power parity, Singapore has the third highest per capital income in the world. There are slightly over 5 million people in Singapore, of which 2.91 million were born locally. The population is highly diverse; the majority are Chinese, with Malays and Indians forming significant minorities. One of the five founding members of the Association of South East Asian Nations, the country is also the host of the APEC Secretariat and a member of the East Asia Summit, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Commonwealth.

LanguageSingapore has four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. English is the common language of the nation and is the language of business, government and medium of instruction in schools. Public bodies in Singapore conduct their businesses in English, and official documents written in a non-English official language such as Chinese, Malay or Tamil typically have to be translated into English to be accepted for submission.

Time ZoneSingapore Standard Time is UTC/GMT +8 hours.

ClimateSingapore is warm and humid all year round. The daily temperature averages around 28 degrees Celsius. Abundant rainfall can be expected during the monsoon seasons from December to March and from June to September.

VoltagesSingapore uses 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second.


Estimated Living Expenses

Quality of LifeThe Mercer 2011 Quality of Living Survey ranked Singapore as number one in Asia for quality of life. A survey by human resources consultancy ECA International in 2010 comparing 254 international locations found that Asian expatriates ranked Singapore as their preferred city to live in.

What makes living in Singapore such a vibrant experience? It has to be its quality of life, easy regional access, low crime rates, political stability, high standards of infrastructure and healthcare, as well as a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Living Costs in a Nutshell

The Mercer cost of living survey which is conducted yearly lists Singapore as one of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world. Accommodation costs and cars make up the bulk of household expenses, understandably so due to our limited land space. Most residents find that they can live comfortably in Singapore and enjoy the good things in life.

Here are some estimated costs:

Living expenses in Singapore•Roomrental(Publicorprivatehousing) :SGD800 -1500permonth

•Transport(bymetro/bus) :SGD50 -200permonth

•Communications(cellphone) :SGD50 -150permonth

•BasicMeals :SGD300-450permonth

•Groceries :SGD100-300permonth

Disclaimer: The above amounts offer a guide based on average costings. Total expenses will depend on individual’s lifestyle preferences. For more information, please visit Contact Singapore at http://www.contactsingapore.sg/why_singapore/about_singapore/cost_of_living/

Interview Questions1. What was your impression of Singapore’s healthcare industry? Excellent with the state-of-the-art equipments and advanced

technology.

2. Why did you choose to apply to Singapore/SGH for your attachment? Because Vascular Interventional Radiology (VIR) training in SGH is

famous.

3. Did you face any difficulties (e.g. culture, language) during your attachment? What were they?

Not much difficulties during my attachment as food, culture and language are more or less the same.

4. During your attachment, what was a ‘typical’ day like? Busy like a bee.

5. What were your learning experiences? Gained a lot of skill and knowledge in VIR.

6. How has the attachment made an impact on you? The experiences and skills learned during this attachment are very

useful for establishing and upgrading the radiology department in my country.

7. Would you recommend SGH to interested fellows? Why? Yes. Because the case mix of the SGH is excellent with good exposure

to the skills. Overall, the training programme is the best one for radiologists interested in VIR.

Interview with Dr Aung Htet

Alumnus Feature

Nationality :

Myanmar

Department/ Specialization :

VIR

Length of Attachment :

12 months

Dr Aung Htet shown here in the middle. Dr Aung Htet shown here on the left side.

Contact InformationPostgraduate Medical Institute Singapore General Hospital 20 College Road, The Academia, Level 2Singapore 169856

Main Line : +65 6576 7658 Fax No : +65 6223 9789Email : [email protected] : http://www.pgmi.com.sg

Advisory BoardAssoc. Prof. Peter LimMs Sharon Son

EditorMr Christopher Walter Bartholomeusz

Contributors Dr Aung HtetMs Jolyn ChiaMs Yong Shu Rong

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