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
Assistant Manager	- Mr Lim Teck Meng, Arthur
Senior Executives	- Ms Diane Lai
	- Ms Poh Ai Ling
Executives	- Ms Eunice Chung
	- Ms Fiona Wong
	- Ms Yang Chunxuan

Important Note:

Programmes may change from year to year. Please check directly with DGMS for current information