ABOUT OUR DEPARTMENT
A Profile
"To learn with commitment, to teach with
dedication and to serve with compassion"
Introduction & History
The Division of Graduate Medical Studies was
formed initially as a Committee for Postgraduate Medical Studies in 1961. It
was subsequently constituted in 1969 as a 'Postgraduate School' responsible to
the Senate. The executive body of the School was the Board of the School of
Postgraduate Medical Studies, whose membership included representatives from
the National University of Singapore, Academy of Medicine and Ministry of
Health. In 2002, the Graduate School was re-named
the Division of Graduate Medical Studies (DGMS).
The main aims of the Division are to promote postgraduate training and
education in Singapore; to accredit training programmes; and to offer
examinations leading to specialist qualifications. Since the inception of our
postgraduate programmes, over 2,400 doctors and other professionals have
obtained the Master of Medicine (M.Med degree) and Graduate Diplomas in the
various specialties and clinical skills. The first examinations
for the M.Med degree held in 1970 were in Internal Medicine, Surgery and
Paediatrics. The M.Med in Obstetrics & Gynaecology(O&G) was introduced the
following year. In 1973, the degree of Master of Science in Occupational
Medicine was introduced and the degree of Master of Science in Public Health
replaced the former Diploma in Public Health. In 1991, these degrees were
re-designated as Master of Medicine in Occupational Medicine/Public Health. In
1985, the Division conducted the first examination leading to the degree of
Master of Medicine in Psychiatry. The degree of Master of Medicine in Family
Medicine was instituted in 1992 with the first examination being held in 1993.
In 1994, the Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology was introduced. Two
new M.Med degrees, in Orthopaedic Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology, were
introduced in 2000.
Over the years, the M.Med has evolved into an internationally recognised
qualification attracting candidates from India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Mauritius, Australia, Brunei, Vietnam,
Thailand and Bangladesh. The participation of external examiners, many of whom
are from the Royal Colleges of Australasia and United Kingdom (UK) has ensured
the maintenance of high standards. The M.Med degree has been regarded as
equivalent to the Membership or Fellowship examinations of the Royal Colleges.
Candidates with the M.Med degree are exempt from parts of the corresponding
Membership/Fellowship examinations of the respective Royal Colleges.
The first joint examination held in Singapore between the Division and the Royal
College of Surgeons, Edinburgh (RCSE) was in Surgery in 1986. This was
followed by the joint examination in Ophthalmology in 1989. Candidates were
thus able to obtain the M.Med and the Fellowship of RCSE by sitting a
'conjoint' examination in Singapore. In 1996, the joint M.Med
(Internal Medicine & Paediatrics)/MRCP(UK) examinations were established with
the Royal Colleges of Physicians (UK) and more recently with the Royal College
of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). Successful candidates in the
Paediatrics examination also receive the MRCPCH.
In 1992, Medical Officers who
passed the M.Med, and have completed 3 years of basic training were required
to proceed to 3 years of Advanced Specialty Training. This marked the first
step in the establishment of a 'national' system of 6 years of structured
specialist training with examinations and subsequent certification by the
Specialist Accreditation Board. From the mid-1990s, the School diversified its
programmes to include clinical sciences and Diplomas. This was to cater to the
training needs of Family Physicians, basic specialty trainees and scientists
in specialised areas. The Diploma in Geriatric Medicine were started in 1997.
The Diploma in Occupational Medicine was initiated in 1998. The Diplomas in Psychotherapy and Dermatology started in 1999, and the Diploma in Family
Medicine in 2000. A Master of Nursing programme was initiated in 2003. Master of Medicine
The Master of Medicine is based on 2 to 4 years of training in an approved hospital leading
to the examinations. Candidates receive structured and supervised training
in accredited hospitals. A primary or part 1 examination is a pre-requisite before admission
to the final examination of many of the specialties. Other skill components
such as 'Basic Surgical Skills' may also
be required in some specialties. DGMS itself does not conduct or offer any
hospital-based training programmes. However, 1-3 week pre-examination
courses are organised to assist candidates prior to the examinations.
Visiting lecturers from UK, Australasia, USA and other countries are also
invited to complement our local teaching faculty. Special emphasis is
placed on clinical skills and examination techniques. These courses have
attracted not only local participants but also foreign doctors especially
from the Asia/Pacific region. The Occupational Medicine and Public Health
Medicine programmes require candidates to undertake a 1-year full-time
course in NUS. The Master of Medicine degree is offered in the following
specialities :
| Anaesthesiology |
Diagnostic Radiology
|
| Emergency
Medicine*
|
Family
Medicine (must be practising in Singapore) |
| General
Surgery*
|
Internal
Medicine*
|
| Obstetrics
& Gynaecology* |
Occupational Medicine
|
| Ophthalmology* |
Orthopaedic Surgery
|
| Otorhinolaryngology
|
Paediatric Medicine*
|
| Psychiatry |
Public Health
|
(* offered as joint examinations with corresponding Royal Colleges)
A number of M.Med degrees are offered as a joint examination with the
membership examination of the Royal Colleges. Successful candidates
who enter the joint examinations are awarded the 2 qualifications.
Graduate Diploma
The Division also offers the following part-time Graduate Diploma programmes
for doctors: Family Practice Dermatology,
Geriatric Medicine, Occupational Medicine and Family Medicine.
These programmes are aimed mainly at family physicians and related
professionals. DGMS works closely with the College of Family Physicians
and other professional societies in identifying areas where family
physicians and other primary healthcare professionals need further
training in order to enhance their service to patients, and to broaden
their role in providing a more comprehensive primary health care service
to the community.
Advanced Specialty Training
Specialist training is a continuum of 6-8 years. On completion of 2- 3 years
of basic training and obtaining the MMed degree, any doctor wanting to
become a specialist must complete another 3- 4 years of advanced specialty
training, and be assessed at the end of this period, to be eligible for
specialist accreditation. The Joint Committee on Specialists Training (JCST)
is responsible for the advanced training programmes in 35 specialties,
ranging from Anaesthesiology to Urology. At the end of training, an assessment/examination
is conducted, and successful trainees are awarded the Fellowship of the
Academy of Medicine (FAMS). These trainees are also eligible to apply
for specialist accreditation by the Specialist Accreditation Board.
Collaboration
DGMS has been collaborating closely with many institutions and agencies
in promoting postgraduate training and certification. It works closely
with the Ministry of Health, the Academy of Medicine and the College of
Family Physicians in charting new programmes and initiatives. All the
training hospitals, polyclinics and national centers are actively involved
in structured training of family physicians and specialists. DGMS
works closely with the Academy of Medicine and the training hospitals
in the annual selection of basic and advanced trainees for the various
specialties. The traditional links with the Royal Colleges of Australasia
and UK have been strengthened through their participation as examiners
in the MMed examinations and by the establishment of joint examination
arrangements.
Accreditation of Training
JCST in collaboration with DGMS and Academy of Medicine, oversees the accreditation
and re-accreditation of training posts and departments in the public and
re-structured hospitals, the national centers and other related health
agencies. A formal system of accreditation was set up in 2000, which enables
JCST and the training hospitals/centres to periodically review
and provide the highest standards and quality of specialist training.
Scholarships
ASEAN Graduate Scholarship (AGS)
This Scholarship is open to all ASEAN* nationals, except Singaporeans.
The AGS enables young clinicians to pursue the MMed (Occupational Medecine
and Public Health) course and examinations. (ASEAN or the Association of South East
Asian Nations comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore)
Lee Foundation/Tan Sri Dr. Runme Shaw Fellowship
in Orthopaedic Surgery/Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery
The Fellowship covers a six-month clinical attachment at the Department
of Orthopaedic Surgery in a local training hospital. The training can
be in Orthopaedic Surgery or Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery. Applicants
must be from developing countries and must have some experience in these
two specialties.
Postgraduate Medical Degrees by Research
Postgraduate degrees (MSc, PhD) by research are also offered by NUS.
Enquiries on admission
to these programmes should be made to the Registrar or Yong Loo Lin
School of Medicine, NUS.
Main Staff Members
|
Director |
- Prof Lee Eng Hin |
|
Deputy Director |
- Prof Low Poh Sim |
|
Manager |
- Ms Goh Mei Ling |
|
Senior Admin Officer |
- Mr Lim Teck Meng, Arthur |
|
|
- Ms Gladys Ang |
|
Admin Officers |
- Ms Chan Huay Lian |
| |
- Ms Eunice Chung |
| |
- Ms Fiona Wong |
| |
- Ms Janice Li |
| |
- Mr Spencer Tan |
| |
- Ms Evelyn Low |
|
Important Note: |
Programmes may change from year to
year. Please check directly with DGMS for current information |
|
