Implementing Residency Programs and its Challenges

Authors

  • Chong Chia Yin Senior Consultant, Department of Pediatrics Medicine, Infectious Disease Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital; Associate Professor, National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; Adjunct Associate Professor, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
  • Oh Jean Yin Deputy Head, Department of Pediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
  • Bernard Chern Su Min Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital; Head, Minimally Invasive Unit, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
  • Serene Ai Kiang Ong Medical Writer, Academy, Group Education, Singapore Health Services Pte. Ltd
  • Yeo Al Ling Medical Writer, Academy, Group Education, Singapore Health Services Pte. Ltd
  • Chay Oh Moh Campus Director, Education Office, Department of Pediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20421/ighpe2015.5

Keywords:

residency, ACGME-I, pediatrics, postgraduate medical education, curriculum reform, Singapore

Abstract

The exponential growth of Singapore’s population from the influx of migrants over recent years, coupled with an aging population, has resulted in a need to increase the number of doctors and, in addition, raise their expertise. The British-based system of specialist training was inherited by Singapore and it consisted of two time-based phases: Basic Specialist Training and Advanced Specialist Training. However, in June 2010, the United States-based Residency system was adapted because it was curriculum-based with a more structured framework. This change in systems has resulted in a number of problems such as:  (a) additional faculty to train; (b) adequate manpower backfill; (c) adequate resources for residents, including new infrastructure to facilitate learning, and (d) the usual anxiety associated with such a major change, especially from those who did not see the need to change the current system. 

Since manpower backfill was a key issue, overseas specialist staff and non-specialist doctors were recruited to facilitate protected training time for residents. In addition, there was a redesign of service work for healthcare personnel. Although these solutions have helped to alleviate many of the problems, the challenge facing the program now is its sustainability since it has proven to be resource intensive. 

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Published

2015-12-18

How to Cite

Yin, C. C., Yin, O. J., Su Min, B. C., Ong, S. A. K., Ling, Y. A., & Moh, C. O. (2015). Implementing Residency Programs and its Challenges. Innovations in Global Health Professions Education. https://doi.org/10.20421/ighpe2015.5

Issue

2015

Section

Articles

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