THROUGH HEALING BRINGING JOY - Singapore Medical Association
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Vol. 47 No. 9 September 2015
MCI (P) 154/01/2015
BRINGING JOY
THROUGH
HEALING
4 5 26
EDITORIAL FEATURE EVENT
RETURNING TO PAVING THE WAY WE ARE THE
OUR ROOTS FOR GOOD CHAMPIONS!
Dr Tan Yia Swam UROLOGICAL HEALTH Dr William Kristanto
Vol. 47 No. 9 2015
Sylvia Thay &
Donna Cheong
EDITORIAL
BOARD
Editor
Dr Tan Yia Swam
Deputy Editors
27
Dr Tina Tan OPINION
Dr Tan Tze Lee NO TRACE LEFT
Editorial Advisors Dr Tan Su-Ming
A/Prof Daniel Fung
A/Prof Cuthbert Teo
Dr Toh Han Chong
Members
Dr Jayant V Iyer
Dr Natalie Koh
Dr Leong Choon Kit
Dr Jipson Quah 10 12 28
Dr Jonathan Tan
PRESIDENT’S FORUM INTERVIEW EXEC SERIES
Dr Jimmy Teo
ALWAYS ROOM FOR MEDICAL DIPLOMACY: FROM PAPER-BASED
EX-OFFICIOS IMPROVEMENT — MAKING THE WORLD A TO PAPERLESS
Dr Wong Tien Hua DEVELOPING GOOD BETTER PLACE Dr Desmond Wai
Dr Daniel Lee Hsien Chieh HABITS IN CLINICAL Interview with
PRACTICE PART 2 Prof Tommy Koh
EDITORIAL Dr Wong Tien Hua
OFFICE
Senior Manager
Sarah Lim
Editorial Executives
Sylvia Thay
14 18 32
Donna Cheong INTERVIEW INSIGHT PROFESSIONALISM
AVIATION MEDICINE — A GLIMPSE INTO MEDICINE, LAW,
ADVERTISING AND THE PAST — PROFESSIONAL
WHERE THE SKY’S NOT
PARTNERSHIP MEDICINE IN
THE LIMIT REGULATION AND
Li Li Loy
Interview with SINGAPORE (PART 3) ETHICS – PART 1
Denise Jia
Dr Jarnail Singh Prof Cuthbert Teo Dr Peter Loke
Tel: (65) 6223 1264
Email: adv@sma.org.sg
PUBLISHER 36
Singapore Medical
Association FROM THE HEART
2 College Road PRESCRIBING
Level 2, Alumni Medical HAPPINESS
Centre
Singapore 169850
Dr Keith Goh
Tel: (65) 6223 1264
Fax: (65) 6224 7827
Email: news@sma.org.sg
URL: http://www.sma.org.sg
22 24 38
UEN No.: S61SS0168E
DESIGN AGENCY
Oxygen Studio Designs Pte Ltd
GP MATTERS EVENT AIC SAYS
PRINTER
SATISFYING, HAPPY SWING INTO ACTION HAPPY HEARTS,
Sun Rise Printing & OR REWARDING Donna Cheong HEALTHY MINDS
Supplies Pte Ltd Dr Leong Choon Kit
Opinions expressed in SMA News reflect the views of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial board of SMA News or the Singapore
Medical Association (SMA), unless this is clearly specified. SMA does not, and cannot, accept any responsibility for the veracity, accuracy or completeness of any
statement, opinion or advice contained in the text or advertisements published in SMA News. Advertisements of products and services that appear in SMA News do not
imply endorsement for the products and services by SMA. All material appearing in SMA News may not be reproduced on any platform including electronic or in print, or
transmitted by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the Editor of SMA News. Requests for reproduction should be directed to the SMA
News editorial office. Written permission must also be obtained before any part of SMA News is stored in any retrieval system of any nature.
4 editorial
What
W hat an eventful month! August to September had a string of major
international and loco-regional events; to the extent that it was quite hard
ffor
or the SMA News team to decide what exactly to focus on. At the time of
writing this, I was still in shock over the Bangkok bombings (and giving thanks
for my parents and colleagues who returned safely from their respective
trips). I was also concerned for my friends and family in Malaysia over the
Bersih 4 rally. And right here at home, the surging interest in the General
Elections. It’s yet another sign of becoming older, when I actually know
some of the candidates personally!
But I’m just a simple surgeon. When in doubt, always review and recap
— SMA should be for doctors, for patients. We return to our roots and
collate articles relevant for doctors: pertaining to developing clinical
and administrative skills, improving empathy and patient care and
developing leadership in international forums.
Dr Wong Tien Hua starts off this issue by sharing his tips on forming good habits, Dr Tan Yia Swam is an associate
consultant at the Breast
which will sustain us in our busy clinical practice. The SMA National Medical
Department of KK Women’s and
Convention in July was a resounding success, and this month’s feature article Children’s Hospital. She continues
summarises its key topics and discussions. Dr Desmond Wai also shares his input to juggle the commitments of
on the benefits of having a good clinical management system. being a doctor, a mother, a wife
and the increased duties of SMA
We carry reports on the SMA Annual Golf Tournament, with a special mention News Editor. She also tries to keep
of a new Oon Chiew Seng Challenge trophy for Best Lady Golfer, and the annual time aside for herself and friends,
both old and new.
YG Tan Challenge Cup soccer tournament. Dr Leong Choon Kit continues the
GP Matters column with some introspection on the rewards and challenges in
GP practice. Dr Tan Su-Ming recounts a poignant moment in her practice and
Dr Keith Goh tells us about the Make-a-Wish Foundation, a simple but powerful
ia S wa m
way to bring happiness and joy to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Y Editor
The next instalment of A/Prof Cuthbert Teo’s writings on the history of medicine
in Singapore covers the founding of the medical school, while Dr Peter Loke
gives us the basics on law, regulations and guidelines in the first part of his two-
part article.
We are honoured to have an interview with Dr Jarnil Singh, conducted by Dr Gan
Wee Hoe. Dr Singh has just been appointed as president of the International
Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine. In preparation for the upcoming SMA
Lecture in November, we include an interview with Prof Tommy Koh. We hope to
hear more from him during the lecture and discussion session.
As usual, enjoy the issue and we look forward to your continued feedback on
what you would like to read about. We welcome contributions on any aspect of
healthcare (and leisure!) that you want to share.
SMA News / sep 2015
feature 5
Paving the
Way for
Good
Urological
Health
BY SYLVIA THAY AND DONNA CHEONG,
EDITORIAL EXECUTIVES
The 46th SMA National Medical Convention, Good Urological
Health, was held at Sheraton Towers Singapore on 25 July 2015
with close to 400 members of the public and 100 doctors in
attendance. In line with SMA’s new slogan, “For Doctors, For
Patients”, launched in June this year, the annual convention aims
to address topics that are of current interest to both the medical
profession and the public.
sep 2015 / SMA News
6 feature
tur
tu
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PUBLIC
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The
LICC SYMPOSIUM
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SYM
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e public
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OS UM
OSIUM
ublic
M
c symposium
sy
sympos osium
um cocommen
commenced
encece
Y UR
YOUR
R SEX
XLLIFE
LI Urinary
U ry incontinence
incon
onti
ntinence
ce (UI) — the lolos
loss
Benign
nign pros
nig pr
prostatic
rostatic c hyperplasia
hyper
h perpl
rplasia (B
(BPH)
H)) of bla
bladder
der ccontrol
rol — is a com
common
mmon on
with
th the welcome
wel
e me e address
a ss delivered
delive
liver
vered byy
an
and prosta
prostate
state e ca cancer are m male and often
o e
embarrassing
mbarrassing
mbarra ng conditco
condition
dit
D Ng
Dr g Chee
C Kwan,
Kw Chairperson
Chairper
C h ers of tthe
erson
problems
blems
lemms thathat can n a
affect
aff ct a coup
couple’s
uple’
ple that affects
affe
afffectss b both mmen
en and d wom
women,
omen
me
Convention
nvention
nve on
n Organisin
O
Organising
ising Com
Co
Committee.
ommittee.ee. Dr Ngg
sex
exx life. This
Th
T interesting
int
inte
nteresting
in
ng topic
opic
ic was s especially
spe
peciallyy the aged aged andand obese.
obese.
ob
was hearten
h
heartened
eneded byy the
t overwhelming
ove
overwhelm
rwhelm
delivered
d
deliver
ered in English
ere En h by Drr Colin
C Teo,
Te D Sha
Dr Sharon
haron
a Yeo
Ye and ndd Dr TrTric Kuo,
Tricia K
Kuu
attendance,
ndan
nd dance,e, which ch he considered
considere
con ered ed a
a senior
eniorr con
en c
consultant
onsultanant from Khoo o Teck
ck consultants
ants at Tan
nsultants
nsu Tan n Tock
T Seng
S eng
ng
sign
ign
n of the eppublic’s
ic’s
’s interest
es in urolo
est uro
urological
ological
all
Puat Hospital
Hospit
pitall and in Mandarin
Manda
ndarin
arin by Hospital
Ho
Hospit
pital an and d Singapore
Sin ore GenGeneral
issues.
is
issueses.
s. He then
th
hen intro
introduced
roduced
ro ed
d the
t topics
top
op
Dr Tan
an
n Yeh
Ye Hong,
Ho cons
consultant
co
onsultan
tant urologist
urolog
ologis
ogis Hospital,
Hospit
pital,
al, res
respectively,
respectiv
ctivel
vely, were
w the
tth
h
and d tthe outstanding
ou
outs
utstanding
ding panel
pannel of spea
speakers
peakers
p ers
s
at Mount
Mountt Elizabe
Elizabeth
beth Medical
be Me C
Centre
entree English
ngl
ngli
glish and nd Mand
Mandarin
and
ndarin s speakers
peaker
ker
ers forr
for the symposium.
symp
mposium.
osium.
a
and tthe
h president
pr
pres
residentnt of Singapore
ent S apo
Singap po th second
the sec
econd
c sessions.
ses
seessions
nss
Urological
ological
olo call A
Associat
Association.
ciation.
n.
In
n h his opopening
ope
peningg a address,
es Dr Wong
address
ess, g
Both Dr D Yeo eo and Dr D Kuo uo started
tarted by
T
Tien Hua,
H President
Pres
Pre
resident
ntt of SMA,
SM
MA clarifi
MA, clari
arifi
rified
Throug
Through ugh
gh the e use
u of diagrams,
dia
diag
iagramsms, analogies
analoglogie
gie iintroducing
introduduci
ucing theth
h four urr types
ty es of UII an a
and
thee difference
differe
d feren
ence betw
betweeneen
n uurology
gy and
g d
andndd a short
shoror video,
ort eoo, Dr Teo eo and
Te d DrDr Tan n how
oww each h type
ty off UI U is diagnosed
dia
diagnose
ia ed and
sed d
gynaecology,
gynaecology
gynae gy, and
an
nd underscored
unders
derscored
cored the
illustrated
ill
illustrarated
at how ow to locate
loc
oc the
he prost
prostate,
sta
ta treated.
tre
treateded. Management
d. Managnage
agement nt with m
ent medication,
med
medicati ati
tio
importance
ortan
ort
tance of public
e o publi ic awareness
blic awar
wareness s and
an
explained
plained
pla ed how
h pr
prosta
prostate
state
a te probl
problems
oblems ms Botoxox inj injec
injections,
jections,s, surgery,
surge ne
nerve
rve
education.
du
duc
u cation.
onn. Hee a also
lso congratulated
c
congrat
co ratu
atulated ed
d
affe
affect
ect a man’sma s s sex
sexual
exual pe perform
performance,
forma
ma stimulations
tim
timu
mulations ns and d otherr treat treatments
eatmtm
the
th organising
organisin
org
rg ing committee
ng commmmittee
mm e on
o a well-
w
as well ellll a
as elab
elaborated
laborated ed on the he availa
available
ilab
ab were briefly
brriefly touched
brie to
ou d on.
on The he speakers
e speak aker
ker
planned
nned
nn conference
d c
con
onference
nce and tthankedked the
treatment
eaa tment nt modalities,
mododd alities,
es including
inclu
cluding
clu g also
soo dispe
dispensed
pen
ensed h helpful
elpful
ful
ul advice vicce on n
speakers
speeakers for
speak fo setting
etting aside
se
settin asi e time
tim to
medication
m
medica ication and and surg
surgical
urgical
g p
procedur
procedures.
roc dur lifestyle
f yle changes
chanange
nges to improve
improv
rove
ve bladder
blad
add
conduct
uct the various
duct
duc v s sessions.
session
se
s on
In spit
spite e of the
th sensitive
sens
ensitiveive nature
na of the control,
trol, such as redu
tro reducing
educing
cing one’s
o coffee
co fee
topic,
opp ic, both th speakers
peak were
we e aable
abl bl to and
nd alcohol
a hol intake,
intake mai maintaining
maintain nin a
tainin
Thereafter,
T reafter,
Therea
ea th
the
he part
participants
articipant
ti nts
ts adjoi
adjoined
oin
in
effectively
effectiv
ctive
ively engage
enng the
th audience
aud
udience
die e w wit
wi
with h
healthy hyy weight
w
weigh ht and
ght d practising
practis
p tising
is kegel
ke
kege
ege
for th
thee concurrent
concurren
con rent talks
talk
t lks in eithe
ei
either
he
their
eir candid,
candiddid
id, and d sometimes,
sometimetim
imes, hilarious
hila
hililariousus
s exercises.
erc
rcises.s Participants
Partici
tic
cipantsts
s were re
e also o
English
Englis orr M Mand
Mandarin.
andar
darin. The top topic
topics
pics for
illustrations,
illu
illustrat
trations,, drdraw
drawing
rawingng lloud gu guffa
guffaws
uffaws s fr
from urg d to foll
urged follow
low so some si simple
sim
imple e but
b
his yea
year’s
year
ear’s con
conventio
convention
on tion
on were:
were
ere:
e BPH H and
an
the audience.
au ence. Import Importantly,
ortantly,
ntly, th
the spea
speakers
peakers ers effective
ctive
cti e strategies,
stra es, which
wh ch could uld not
Prostate
ro
ostate
os e Cancer
C ancererr — Men's
Me
Men
e n's Problems
Prob
ro
oblemsms s
continually
con
contin encouraged
ntinuallyy encou
e uraged their
ourag the
h aud
heir audie
audiences
diences nlyy help
only h stop
sto the hee leak,
le but ut alsoso enable
en
That
T t Affect
A tC Couples;
Co
Couples Getting
les; Getti ing Control
tting Con
on
t keep
to epp a healthy
healt
althy
lth lifestyle
lifes
esty
style and nd to remain
rem
ema
ma t
them to lead
l d a relatively
relativivel
vely normal
norm
ormal
rm life. life
fe.
e
of Urinary Incontinence;
Uri aryy In
Incontine
tinence;
nce; a and Treating
Treating
vigilant
gila
ilant and ndd optimis
o
optimistic
mistic iff di
mis diagnosed
dia sed with
se th
h
Male
Ma Infertility
ale Infertilit
rtility — Wh
What Can Be D Done?
Don
o
prostate
pr tate probl
prostat problems.
oblem
lems.
Legend 1 2
1. Dr Wong Tien Hua
delivering his opening
address
2. Dr Colin Teo commencing
with the first English topic
3. Dr Tan Yeh Hong speaking
about prostate problems
during the Mandarin session
4. Dr Ng Chee Kwan
presenting the token of
appreciation to Dr Sharon Yeo
5. Dr Tricia Kuo presenting
on the topic of UI
6. Participants discussing
3
their concerns with Dr Colin
Teo during break time
7. Dr Joe Lee during the
last Mandarin session for
the morning
SMAA News
N / se
sep 20155
feature
eat
ea 7
4
5
6
MALE
M ALE
E IINFERTILITY
IN
NFERT
RTILITY
RT TY
Y m
mostly
mo y pertaining
pertainiini
ning to o treatment,
treatme
t ment, th
me the
he
7
Reproduction
eproducti
epr
p ction
ion is a simple ple
e and
a d natural
n al length
ngth
ngt
g of medication
med ation use
medicati se
e and
a di dietaryy
experience
expe rience for most
mos couples.
couple
couuples. However,
Howe
owever,
ver, for intervention
terve
te ventio
tion to d decrease
ecr
creasase the e rrisk
sk of
some coup
som couples,
ouples,
s, con
c
conception
onception
i is very d
ion difficult.
ult. the variousrious s u uro
urological
rologica
ical pr problems.
prob
r oblems.
ms.
Addressing
ddre
ddr
dressingng
g the
t issue
iss
ssue
sue off male
m infertility
infe
nfer
fertilityy Participants
rtici
rti
ticipants
nts
ts who o had
ha
h beenbee
een
en diagn
diagnosed
gnosed
gno
in
n Englis
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glish
sh and d Manda
M
Mandarin
dar
arin resp
respectively
esp
spective vel
el also aske
als
al asked
ske
ked spec
specific
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abou
bout
out
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as Dr Sim
Simon
mon Chong,
Cho a consult
consultant
co
c ultant at their
eir conditions
conditi
dition
ions and mana
management.
nage
agemen ent. The e
Pacific
Pac fic He
Healthca
Healthcare
caree Specialist
Spec st C Cen
Centre
entrere Q & A sessions
sessi were
we e obviously
obvio y popular
p
popu
opular
ar
and Dr Joe Lee,ee,, a consultant
consult
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at National
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p
partici
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University
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unc
infertility
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an alsoso ooutlined
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re
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sy
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at SMA
MA News
N ws caught
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W e e learnt ntt so m much
know tha
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ostatee p
pro
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ects o off
All tthree talks concluded
ta ks conc ed with
w qu question-
que n- necessarily
nec
ecessari arilyy mean
me cancer,”
ca ncer,” says ys urological
urolo al health,
hea th, espec
especially
pecially
ally urinary
u ry
and-answer
nd-an
nd- -answe
wer (Q & A A) segments
segm
egmentsts wh
where
w re Mrr Coli
C
Colin
olin Yeo,
Yeo a mid
middle
middle-aged
dle-age
aged gentle
gentleman
ntlem
eman n incontinence,
conti
conntinenc
ence, whic
which
ch iss a problem
proble
blem
em inn
the par
th ar tticipa
ticipants
pan
a nts raised
ra d queries
q ie
es who
w
whho atte
attended
te
tended d tthe
th
he English
Eng
ng
nglish talks
ta
tal
alks with
witth older
old
lder wom
women.”
om
omen.”
ssep
ep 20155 / SMA News
ew
w
8 feature
tur
tu
Legend 8 9
8. Dr Koh Li-Tsa discussing
the topic on UI management
9. Dr Ng Chee Kwan
speaking during the
medical symposium
10. Lunch symposium
participants listening
attentively
11. Dr Li Man-kay presenting
updates on PDE inhibitors
12. Dr Simon Chong during
his segment on managing
male sexual dysfunction
13. Dr Lim Kok Bin
elaborating on management
of testosterone deficiency
14. Dr Leong Hoe Nam,
wrapping up the medical
symposium with the
final topic 10 11
PDE5
P 5 in
inhibito
iinhibitors’
to effects
tors’ effe
fects on
fec naachiev
achieving
evi implem
implementation
im mentatio
m e tionion off m
male slings
sl ffor
LLUNCH
LUN
UNCH
The
NCHH SYMP
SYMPOSIUM
SYMPOSIU
MPOSIUM
e lunch
l
SIU
h symposium
s
symp
mpos
p osium
m c comm
commenced
mme
m enced d
and
d maintaining
maint
m ntai taining erectio
er
erection
tion
on in men
men,
en, and
nd
d menn suffering
suffer
s ferin
ring from
om stres
stress
ress
ss UI.
compared the
comp th e effectiveness
effe
effectiven
eness
ess of the
at 1.2
1.25
25
2 5 pmm w with Dr Ng C Chee
h Kw
Kwa
Kwan various
ous
ou s PDEE inhibito
iinhibitors.
itors
ors Moving
ing
ng g on,
o Dr Koh h ga
gave
ave an update ate on
addressing
ddr
dd
dressing
ngg the doc
do
doctor
octor participants
pa
part
articipant
ants and
an ndd e management
the
he manage ge nt o
gement off overac
overactive
ra
active e bladder,
bla
thanking
th nking Pfi
thankin zer
er Pte
fize te Ltd
L foror sponsoring
sponso
s
spo so Accord
According
A ording
rdi to o Dr
D Li,, tthere
h are
are uses
es of w
with a brief review
rev w o of the e c
condit
condition
diti
ti
the lunch
lu nch spread.
s
spread
ad. More than an 70
7 sildenafi
denafi
den fil for
for non-er
non-erectile
-erectil
ctile
le d
dysfunction
dysfunc
unction
on andd the
th co com
common
ommon n types
ty es of treatment
treatm
atment nt
doctors
doc
docto
ctors gatheredred
d in thee ballroom
b
ballroo
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om and d purposes,
pu
purpos
poses, sucsuchh as in
increasi
increasing
asingg exer
exercise currently
cur
curren
ently approved
approved for f use,
use including
includ
t
tuned d in to the
th talks
ks as the
they
he enjoyed
hey enjo
joy
oy capacity,
acity
aciity, improving
imp
mproving
ngg cardia
c
cardiac
diac output,
outp
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pu the associated
as
asso
ssociat
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cautionary
autionanary notes
nottes
thee sumptuous
s
sumptptu
tuous bubuffet.
buf and
ndd incre
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r
reasingngg mem
memor m or y p po
power.
ower.r andd side e effects
ffects s of eac
each
acch treat
treatment
eat
atmentt
The session concluded with modality.
m
modalit
ality.
lit Shehee tthen inintroduced
introducuce
ced rec
recent
ece
ce
PDEE IINH
INHIBITION
NHIBI
BITION
N AND information
ormation
orm ation shar
sharing
aring g ono n silden
sildenafil
denafil
afil advances
ances
an es in treatm
treatment
tment nt of overac
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ractiveve
NE
NEW
E W DEVELOPMENT
DEV
EV OPM
EVELOPPMENT
NT
T orodispersible
orodispersibl
orodis sible
e tablets.
table bladder, suc
bladde such
uch as s ththe usese of be bet
beta-3
Dr Li M
D Man-ka
Man-kay,
kay urol
kay, urologist
ologist and
olo an kidkidney
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and
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ge L Man an Kay
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NC recommendations
re
recom mmenda
m dat
ationsns s on when w n to
Novena
vena
ve na Hospital,
Ho al, kkicke
kicked
ked off ff ththe Dr Koh
Koh h Li-Tsa, consultant
consu
nsulta
ultant at the prescribe
scribe
cr e Botox
B
Bot
otox too patients.
patien
p ientsnts
lunch
un
unc
n ch sym
symposium
m posiu
sium
u m by outlining
o utlinin
ning
ing the e department
dep
depart
partment nt of
o urology,
urolo
uroology, Changi
Cha gi Gen
G
General
en
vvarious
variou
ous
us types es of pho
phospho
ph
phosphodiesterase
od
odiester era Hospital,
pital,
pit
tal, beg
began
egan her err p
prese
presentation
sentation
on
n by
b
(PDE)
DE) inh
DE inhibitors.
nhib
hibitors.. AAccor
According
cordi
rding to o Dr
D Li, providing
rov
oviding
ov g a recapcap
ap of tththe
he defi
efinition
n
PDE5 inhibit
inhibitors
bitors
ors are comm
commonly
mmon
monlyy u used of UI and a com comparison
omm on off tthe
son
for ererectile
erec
rectile dysfunction.
le dysfun
func on. Through
nction. Throroug
ug various
ious
ou s surgical
sur
urgical o options
ptio available.
availa
ailable.
ble
various
ari
ario
rious dia
di
diagram
diagrams,
ams
ms, he el elaborated
e orate
elaboratated on n Shee also
a hig lighte the
highlighted he usage
ge and
usag
sage
SMAA News
N / se
sep 20155
feature
eat
ea 9
MEN
MEN AN
AND TES
TESTOSTERONE
ESTOST
ES ST
TERON
ON
N consulting
co
con
onsultingng on genital
tin ge ulcers.
ul . Dr
Dr Leong
onng
MEDICAL
M
ME
EDIC
DIC
ICAL
ALL SYMPOSIUM
SYMP
S MPOSI
M OSIU
SIUM
M
The Medical S ymposium, the
Dr LimL Kok
Ko Bin,
B i a consu
consultant
su also touched
o touch hed on
ched several
n sever
vera sexually
eral sexexually
x
from
rom Raffles
Raff Hospit
Hospital,
Ho pital, tal, focused
focus
cused d on
on transmitted
ransm
an mitte tted diseases,
dis ases dispensed
dispe
spense
nsed
ed
ffinal
fin
inal seseg
segment
egment ent
nt of the h convention,
he con
onv
n vention
o
on advice
adv on n examination,
amina listed
lis d treatment
trea nt
the management
nagemgemen
m ent off testosterone
testost ne
c o mme
m m e n c e d imme
im
m m e diatel
di
dia l y af
diate a te r methods
hods and
tho
th a n caucautioned
aut
utioneded about
d abou ut the
out
deficiency
eficie
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ciencycy syndrome
syndro
drom
rome due d to
o late
l e
lunch.
lun
unch.. DDrr Ng ChChee e Kwan,
K
Kw wan, Dr Simon
Simo
mon
on rise
s e of drug
ris d rug resistant
re
resistan nt gonorrhoea.
ant gono
no
o rrhoea
oea
ea
onset hypogonadism,
on hy
hyp
ypogona ona
nadism, m a and
nd elaelaborated
laborated
te
ed
Chong,
hong, Dr Lim Kok
ho Ko Bin n and
and Dr Leong ng He concluded
conclude
co ded his
uded s talk
t byy highlig
highlighting
h lighting
g g
on th
the ill effects
effe
ef s o of low w testost
te
testosterone
sterone
te
Hoe
oe Nam
N ms spokeke on
o pros
prostate
rostatee health,
h
hea
ealth,
h, pelvic
elvic pain
elv pa syndrome
ain syndrodrome
me and other forms
her form
orms
ms
levels.
evels. He also
eve elaborated
o elab labor
borated o on
n the
sexual
s
seexuall healt
health
alth
t h , man
manage
a
anage e ment
m ent o of of prostatitis,
p atitis,, an
and
nd gave e suggestions
su gestio on
positive
posi
ositive ininfluence
uence that at improvement
mprov nt
testosterone
stosteron
sto
to one
ne defificiency
ci
cie
ciency syndrome
sy
syn om
syndrom me and d howw GP
GPs can
G manage
an mana nage
age such
uch conditions.
ch condit
ditio
of testosterone
testo
te
estoster
terone levels
lev
evels
vels has on prostate prost
proostatee
management
manage
ma agem
e ment of ure urethral
reth discharge
e thral discharg
dis arge
rge
health. Dr
he D Lim m tth
then
hen spoke sp
spo
poke ext exte
extensively
xtensively
vel
ely
andnd genital
genita
ital ulcers,
ulcers respe
respectively.
pectiv
tively.
ly.
about
out tes
ou testosterone
esto
stostero erone
ro rreplacement
replace
ep cement
em t
therapy,
herapy,
her py, in
including ng the he results
res re
reported
reporte
orted
ed
MANAGING
M ANAG
AG
AGING
Dr Ng
PROSTATE
PROSTA
Ng Chee
STA
TATE HEALTH
ee
HE TH
e Kwan,
H
Kw n, a consu
consultant
sulta
ultant urologist
uroro t
in
n publish
published
shed d stu
studies,, a andnd touched
to ed CONCLUSION
briefly
efly
ef
fly on alternative
alternativ
altt tive
ve treatment
ttreatm
atment options.
optio
opptions.
s.
at CK Ng Ng Urology ogy & Minimally
Min
Minimallyy Invasive
I vasive The 46th SMA National Medical
Surgery,, was
Sur was the firstt speaker
s eaker at the he Convention — featuring three
A mmember
e err of o thehe
e audience
audien
dienc
ence inquired
inqq d
Medical
edica
eddical Symposium.
Symposiu
Sym sium um. He reported
reporte rted
ed that
t at symposiums comprising 12
about
boutt testosterone
bo test
testosteron
erone e replacement
rep
replacemementt forfor
prostate
pr te
e disease
diseas
easese is a major
m or cause
cause e of
o talks — concluded with great
th
the
he elderly
rly (aged
aged ≥ 75 years),
yea s), as
as he had ad
urinary
ina
nary sym
na symptoms
ymp
mptoms ms in old
olde
older
der me menen and d success in the late afternoon.
heard
ard at it helps
rd that pss ccognitive
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gnitive
nit function
func
funnctionn
listed
isted symptoms
iste sym ms that hat would
w d ident identify
i entify
tify
besides
be s ssexual
exualal h
health.
th
h. Dr Lim replied
m replie
plied
ed
BPH and dp prostatitis.
ostati Dr Ng g suggested
sug ed The Convention Organising
that
at results
lts
s ffromm currententt studies
s
studie
dies on n
a wo
work
workflow
orkflow ow ffor GPs Ps mana
m
managing
naging patie
pa
patients
atients s Committee Chairperson,
testosterone’s
estosterone’s
est steron effect
ef ect o on cognitive
co nitive
with
w
wi ith lower
low
owwer urinary
urin
inary tract
tra
ract symptoms.
sym
ymptoms ms Dr Ng Chee Kwan, and the rest
function
func n a are m mixed.
mixe Although
ixed. Alth ugh h he sawaw
The
he e first step
sttep is s history
h y taking
tta g and a a of the committee thank all
no harm
har in
ha n trying
tr it,
t, he
h alsoo warned
so warne ed thatt
ned
physical
phy cal examination,
examina
e ination,
on, which
w in
includes
udes invited speakers, guests and
expectations
expectati
exp
ex tions should
atio hould not
sho ot be too
oo high.h
a prostate
prostattate examination,
exam
examinatio
ation,, urinalysis,
urin
urinalysis,sis, participants for taking the time
discussion
scus
sccussion onn on PSA PSSA scre
screening
creening
ee g an and
a a to attend the convention. The
GENITAL
ENITAL
ENITAL ULCER
ULCERS
ERS
RS
voiding
vo g ddiary,
iary, if indica
indicated.
cat
ated. Th Thereafte
Thereafter,fte
te committee would also like to
AND
A
ANND UR
URETHRITIS
RETHR
HRI
RI
the e next coursecou e of action,
actiion, such
ction suc as s express their appreciation to
Thee final
f s
speake
speaker
p kerer for th the dayayy wwas
surveillance,
surveilla
surv eillanc
ance, use se of alpha
alp blockers,
blockers, the convention’s sponsors: Tote
Dr Leong
ong
ng Hoe eNNam,
am, mmedical
edical
al directo
d
director
cto
to
PDE5
P
PDDE5 inh inhibitors
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tors or ad additional
tiona 5AR 5ARI
AR Board, Lee Foundation, Pfizer Pte
at RRophi Clin
Clinic,
C c, who w spok
sp
spoke
poke on the e
and d referra
rreferral
rral
ra to a urologurologist,
logist,
og can
ca be e Ltd, Astellas Pharma Singapore
topic
opic of genital
ge u
ulcers
cers aand uret
urethritis.
rethrit
hritis.
s.
decided.
de ed d. Dr Ng added adde
ded
ed that att patients
patient
ent
nt Pte Ltd, Bayer (South East Asia)
He presen
He presented
ented d a chart
c lis
listing
ng tth
the
he most ost
with
ith uncom
uncomplicated
comp
mplicat cated prost
pro
prostate
ostate e issues
i es Pte Ltd, Eli Lilly (Singapore) Pte
common
mmon
m m infectious
in
infectio
iou
ous genital
geen ulcers
u
ulc
lc
can
an be ma managed ed at
at their GP clin
clinic cwwithth Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd, SCA
and the
a e less
le common
com
ommon
o onn non-infectious
non-inf
n nfectiou
n ous
us
appropriate
appropria
app riate thera
therapy.
theera Hygiene Singapore Pte Ltd as well
ones,
nes, follow
nes followed
owed
wed by advice
a ce on o questions
ques
ues s
a do
doctor
ctor should
s d raise with
w patients
pa ients as our product sponsors.
MALE
MA
M ESSEXUAL
SE
EXUAL
AL DYSFUNCTION
A DYS
YSF
SFUNCT
CTION
C N
Next
ext up was was Dr Simon S on Ch Chong,
Chong ng,
g who o
began
egan
eg an his session
sess
ession on with w a shor
sh r t
12 14
anecdote
a
annecdote te on what
what a GP
wh G should
sho
houl
ould askk a
patient
tien
tie
ient who hoo claims
c ms s tthat PDE5
PD inh inhibitors
nhib
hibitorss
do nott wo
d w
work
ork foror them. m. Following
Followi
F ow wing that,
tha
that
hat
Drr CChong ng listed
lis d tthe treatments
treat
treeatmen ents foror
erectile
rec tile dysfunction,
rectile dys
dysfunctioction,n, including
inclu
ncluding g the
the use
of sildena
of sildenafi
nafil, low-intensity
low
low-
ow-intens nsity shoshockwave
sh
hockwave ave
therapy
erapy and
erap
era nd others.
others rs. Tips s were
w giv
given
give
iven on
how to
ho
h om ma
manage
anage e prema
p
premature
matu
ature ejac
ejaculation,
ja
aculatio
ation
on
ass wwell a ass the ttreatme
treatmentsment
ents opoptionsns
available.
vailab
vai lable.e. DDr Chong
Cho
hongng also lso highli
highlighted
ghligh
ghted
ed
P e y ro ni e ’s dis
Pe d isease,
e as e , a c o m m o n 13
condition
ndition that
ndi
nd tha
th ma many
any
a n men en sufferer from
without
wit outt realising
realisin
sing it it. According
t . Accord
A ording g to
Drr Chong,
C g, treatment
tre
treatmtment for male sexual s al
dysfunction
ysfun
ysffunctiotion requires
requ
quire
ires an all-rou
all-rounded
rounded
unded
approach,
a
appproach c as itt can
ch, c co-exist
co-e
o
o-exist t with
w
wit
ith many
ma an
a ny
other
her
heer issue
issues.
ues
es. It shshould
ho be used daas an n
opportunity
opportu
opp rtunit
unity to screen
sc en for fo and d manage
manag
m nageage
associated
ssociate
ss ted cocondit
conditions.
ditions.
ssep
ep 20155 / SMA News
ew
w
10 president’s forum
Always
ROOM for
Improvement
Improvem
IImprovement
Improvem
mprovem
Developing Good Habits in
Clinical Practice — Part 2
In July’s issue of SMA News, I wrote
w
about how habits are integrated d into
Illustration: Dr Kevin Loy
our subconscious routine in clinical
cllinical
“automaticity”
practice. The term “automaticit ty” is
the ability to do things without having
having
to occupy the mind with low-level
loww-level
details, thereby reducing stress s and
function.
additional demands on brain fun ction.
Many daily actions may seem to be
voluntary decisions, but they are,
a in
behaviour.
fact, subconscious habitual beha aviour.
It is important to develop good habits
h
early in one’s professional career c
because it is difficult to change habits
h acknowledge the patient with simple However, it is not good enough to
once they are adopted. Another nother eye
y contact. In clinical assessment,, convince ourselves that we can
difficulty is in differentiating between we employ focused clinical change; consciously willing ourselves
good and bad habits; one can fall into examination pathways but often to correct an ingrained habit is an
the latter pattern if not careful. Bad forget to check basic parameters exercise in futility.
habits typically form when we try to (eg, blood pressure) that can reveal
take shortcuts in order to save time critical information. We need to save New York Times’ reporter Charles
or minimise energy expansion. This time; a perfunctory hand wash saves Duhigg, in his book The Power of Habit:
is especially relevant in a busy and time, skipping a troublesome per Why We Do What We Do in Life and
stressful practice environment. In the rectal examination saves time, and Business, explored the science and
midst of high patient load and multiple scribbling a few cursory observations psychology behind habits and how they
demands requiring our professional in the notes is faster than keeping can be optimised. According to Duhigg,
expertise, time is indeed a commodity concise clinical records. in order to better understand how habits
in short supply and doctors have to be form and how we can change them, one
extremely efficient. We learn to zoom Developing good habits early is an needs to understand the habit loop.
in on critical action items and rank important piece of advice for junior His three-point loop consists of Cue,
less important tasks further down our doctors starting their professional Routine, and Reward.
internal workflow. careers. However, many among us
who have been in practice for years, Since doctors are so fond of mnemonics,
Patient communication is one if not decades, have developed habits I have adapted Duhigg’s habit loop into
area that often suffers. Dense data that have served us for better or the four Rs of habit: Reminder, Routine,
from medical records that require for worse. Old habits die hard, and Reward and Repeat. This breakdown of
processing can easily distract us, since no one is perfect, we all have the habit process is very useful when
and we forget to smile or even behaviours that can be improved. we are trying to change a habit.
SMA News / sep 2015
president’s forum 11
time and energy) and patient safety.
THE FOUR RS OF HABIT Like everyone else, we doctors must
sometimes rush home on time to
attend to personal matters; however,
1. reminder
der 2. routine
tine 3. reward
ard 4. repeat making it a personal policy to try to
beat the clock every day can turn into
The cue or trigger The routine is the 6JGDGPGƒVVJCV
6JGDGPGƒVVJCV If the brain decides a bad habit. Taking shortcuts to save
that signals the whole process that you gain from that the previous
brain to go into runs automatically. the routine. steps were time and skipping steps in a procedure
automatic mode. If you have a bad worthwhile, it will to save energy may be more efficient,
habit such as poor remember and but patients suffer from substandard
hand hygiene, you repeat the process. care and are exposed to an increased
would want to Alternatively, if an
risk of medical error.
change this. action is repeated
often enough, it will
become a habit. To change our established habits, we
must refocus on the long-term reward
of patient safety. We have to keep
reminding ourselves of our ethical
conviction to do no harm and to put
patient’s safety first and foremost.
SETTING REMINDERS Good habits need to be consciously
A reminder is a cue that can be learned, preferably from the start. The reward we can expect is the sense
visual or situational. For example, the Once a bad routine sets in, change of satisfaction that we have done
placement of hand washing facilities becomes difficult. It is said that one our best for each of our patients. We
in prominent locations reminds us to cannot actually change a bad habit; should crave for the emotional high
wash our hands in the ward. Alcoholic one can only replace it with another. that comes from relieving suffering
hand rubs at the foot of every bed are We need to find a more powerful new and giving comfort to a fellow human
visual reminders to practise strict hand habit to replace the old one. being. We owe this to our patients and
hygiene when moving from one bed to to ourselves.
another, examining patients. A patient Let’s take the process of setting an
that knocks and enters the consultation intravenous line, which involves many
room is a typical situational cue. Do we steps, as an example. First, we ensure PROFILE
immediately look up, greet and offer the that the right equipment is at hand.
patient a seat to build rapport, or do we Then we explain the procedure to the
dive into the notes and sift through the patient, followed by insertion of the
history and data, expecting the patient cannula and proper disposal of wastes.
to wait for us to initiate the conversation? Doctors who are doing this for the first
time need to strictly follow every step
We can train ourselves to respond and keep repeating it in order to train
to reminders and follow through the brain to learn the right routine. If
TEXT AND
a sequence of actions based on some steps are left out and shortcuts DIAGRAM BY
information that presents during the taken to save time, we may eventually
consultation. If a patient offers a adopt the wrong routine.
history of smoking, we should pursue Dr Wong Tien Hua
further instead of merely checking REFOCUS ON
off a box on the case records. Before LONG-TERM REWARD Dr Wong Tien Hua is
administering injections, we can use We adopt habits, both good and bad, for President of the 56th
the act of retrieving the equipment as a the payoff. Charles Duhigg describes this SMA Council. He is
reminder to check the expiry dates and as a kind of craving — a combination of a family medicine
to ask the patient about drug allergies. anticipation and desire. For instance, physician practising
people who exercise regularly develop a in Sengkang. Dr Wong
GETTING THE ROUTINES RIGHT craving for the emotional and physical has an interest in
Established routines are the backbone high that comes after a session of primary care, patient
of clinical practice because many intense activity, while those who play communication and
of the actions we perform daily are video games excessively develop a medical ethics.
repetitive. How we interact with our habitual craving for the stimulus and
patients and colleagues, perform become frustrated when denied access.
procedures and record our findings
follow patterns of behaviour that are In clinical practice, there is a conflict
refined through repeated action. between self-preservation (saving
sep 2015 / SMA News12 interview MEDICAL ED AL DIPLOMACY: P MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE SMA News / sep 2015
interview 13
helping to make this a better world. to some extent, made the world a
Singapore may be a small country safer place for small countries. The
and we are often misperceived as second lesson is that small countries
The SMA Lecture was
a selfish nation. The truth is that must unite in order to make their
instituted in 1963, with the
our medical volunteers, hospitals, voices heard and for their interests
objective of educating the
universities, as well as the Singapore to be taken into account. This is
healthcare professionals on
International Foundation, Singapore why Singapore founded the Forum
medical ethics and related
Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Red of Small States and the Global
topics. This year, we are
Cross Society and Mercy Relief have Governance Group. The third lesson
honoured to have Prof Tommy
unselfishly contributed enormously is that, for small countries, the law is
Koh as the SMA Lecturer.
to our neighbours and friends in the both a shield and a sword. We want
Prof Koh will be speaking on
region. Through their deeds, they to strengthen the rule of law and to
Medicine and Diplomacy.
have replaced suffering and despair weaken the rule that “might is right”.
with relief and hope, taught the This is why Singapore has worked so
Prof Koh is currently
trainers and left a positive legacy. hard to promote international law and
Ambassador-At-Large at the
Most important of all, they have the peaceful settlement of disputers
Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
taught us to believe that we truly through the international legal
Rector of Tembusu College;
live in one world and belong to one process. The fourth lesson is that
Governor of the Lee Kuan
human family. we have to be relevant and useful to
Yew School of Public Policy;
other countries, especially the major
Chairman of the International
Advisory Panel of the Asia In what ways has Singapore powers. The fifth and final lesson
Research Institute; Special contributed to the mission and work is that Singapore has to strengthen
Adviser of the Institute of of World Health Organization (WHO)? both its hard and soft power. Medical
Policy Studies and Chairman What can our doctors do to help? diplomacy is a form of soft power.
of the Centre for International TK: Singapore has played an active
Law, National University of and very positive role in the WHO.
Singapore. He is also Chairman First, the late Dr Balaji Sadasivan Intrigued by what
of the SymAsia Foundation of had served as the Chairman of the Prof Tommy Koh has
Credit Suisse and Co-Chairman Executive Board of WHO. Second, to share on Medicine
of the China-Singapore Forum, LTC (Dr) Vernon Lee, currently Head and Diplomacy?
the India-Singapore Strategic of the SAF Biodefence Centre, Register for SMA
Dialogue and the Japan- had worked with WHO, both at its Lecture 2015 to
Singapore Symposium. headquarters in Geneva and in the gain more insights
field. From 2007 to 2008, he was a on the topic.
In anticipation of the upcoming medical epidemiologist in WHO’s
Lecture, SMA News conducted office in Indonesia, working on avian Date :
an email interview with influenza response and pandemic 7 November 2015
Prof Tommy Koh (TK). preparedness. From 2010 to 2012, he Venue :
worked with WHO in Geneva, leading One Farrer Hotel &
global health collaborations and Spa, Ballroom 2
pandemic preparedness. Third, Time :
Dr David Ho served for two years with
Prof Koh, you were the Guest-of- 1 pm to 5.30 pm
the Permanent Mission of Singapore
Honour and keynote speaker at
to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva,
the first International Conference To register for the
from 2012 to 2014. David’s primary
on Humanitarian Medical Missions. lecture, visit http://
duty was to represent Singapore
What motivated you to accept www.sma.org.sg/
at WHO. He did so well that the 37
that invitation? What was your academy. Awarding
member states of the Western Pacific
key message? of CME points is still
Region at WHO elected him as their
TK: We live in a very troubled world. regional coordinator and to represent pending approval
It is full of conflict, war, suffering, their interests. from Singapore
hostility, mistrust and fear. Each Medical Council.
of us has a moral duty to do what What lessons have you learned
we can to promote peace and from your long career as a
understanding, to replace fear with Singapore diplomat?
hope and to help those who are in
TK: The first lesson is that,
pain. I salute the doctors, dentists,
historically, the world has been
nurses, therapists and allied workers
unkind to small countries. The
who go abroad on humanitarian
founding of the UN in 1945 has
medical missions. They are
sep 2015 / SMA News14 interview
Dr Jarnail Singh has been Chairman Spread of Communicable dise disease
ease
of the Civil Aviation Medical Board through Air travel (CAPSCA) in n the
(CAMB), Civil Aviation Authority Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Ameri
Americas
icas
of Singapore (CAAS) since his and the Middle East. He is amamong
mong
appointment in 1997. He is also the the world’s leading experts in
current Chairman of the Aviation fatigue management and crew crew-rest
w-rest
Medicine Subspecialty Training in aviators. Additionally, Dr Sin
ngh
Singh
Committee and the immediate chaired the CAAS Ultra Long Range
R
past president of the Society of (ULR) Task Force, which enab
enabled
bled
Aviation Medicine Singapore. He the world’s first non-stop ULR R
has dual specialist accreditations commercial flight from Singapore
Singappore to
in aviation medicine and New York on 28 June 2004.
occupational medicine and holds
an MSc (Occupational Medicine) For his outstanding contributi
contributions
ions
from the National University of to international aerospace
Singapore and a Diploma in Aviation medicine, Dr Singh was
Medicine awarded by the Faculty honoured with the 2011
of Occupational Medicine, Royal Won Chuel Kay Award by
College of Physicians (London). the Aerospace Medical
Association and the Public
Dr Singh spent his formative Administration Medal (Silver)
years as a military flight surgeon for this year’s National Day
in the Republic of Singapore Air Awards. He assumed the
Force (RSAF). He is internationally appointment of President,
renowned for his many achievements International Academy of
in aviation medicine. He was Aviation and Space Medicine
instrumental in coordinating and in September 2015.
implementing an International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO)-led Dr Jarnail Singh (JS) shares
Anti-SARS project in 2003, for the medicine
his vision for aviation medicin
ne
affected States’ aviation sectors. with Dr Gan Wee Hoe, president
preside
ent
He also spearheaded and led ICAO’s of the Society of Aviation
global project on Cooperative Medicine Singapore.
Arrangement for the Prevention of
SMA News / sep 2015interview 15
Dr Singh, please share with us a little
3
about your growing up years. What
made you decide to pursue medicine
and later aviation medicine?
JS: The pursuit of medicine, in a way,
came naturally — I was not too good
in maths and physics, and during my
time you either became an engineer
or a doctor; thus the choice was
obvious. I was posted to Tengah and
Sembawang Air Bases as a National
Service doctor and the rest, as they
say, is history.
What were some of your most
memorable moments as a military
flight surgeon in the RSAF?
JS: The development and build-up
of the RSAF Aeromedical Centre —
from the building of infrastructure to
the installation of the aeromedical
training equipment and clinical
facilities — would top the list.
I remember using a video of myself
losing consciousness in a training
Aviation mishaps have been in the main mode of global transmission of
centrifuge in the US to justify for the
spotlight, especially in the last two communicable diseases. As such, the
human centrifuge. At the end of the
years. Moving forward, how do aviation sector must play a key role,
presentation, the then Minister for
you think aviation medicine can alongside the public health sector, to
Defence asked just one question:
contribute towards the enhancement put in place risk assessment matrices
“Where are you going to site it?”.
of aviation safety standards, in the with the appropriate responses to
area of human factors? mitigate the consequences of these
1
JS: Human factors have contributed public health threats. It has to be a
to almost 80% of aviation mishaps “whole of society” approach apace with
for a few decades now. Humans have a “whole of government” approach.
become the weak link in the entire
safety chain. The aviation medicine Aviation medicine is the newest
specialist, equipped with both aviation medical subspecialty in Singapore,
knowledge and medical know-how, having been formally recognised by
is ideally placed to contribute to both the Ministry of Health’s Specialists
the understanding of aviation safety Accreditation Board in 2014. Being
and intervention in this arena. a relatively young specialty, how
can the fraternity promote the
The global transmission of diseases awareness and standing of aviation
such as the Ebola virus disease medicine in Singapore?
and the Middle East Respiratory JS: We play a key role in protecting
2 Syndrome (MERS) constantly the health and safety of the travelling
threatens Singapore due to our high public as well as ensuring the safety
interconnectivity with the rest of of our military aviators and allied
the world through air travel. In your workers in the aviation sector. The
opinion, what else must we do to formal recognition of the specialty is
enhance our resilience in preventing evidence of the fact that the medical
and mitigating against these fraternity recognises this key role.
communicable diseases? It is incumbent upon us now to play
JS: As a major aviation hub, we that role even better to realise the full
must recognise that air travel is the potential of this unique specialty.
sep 2015 / SMA News16 interview
What are the vision and mission JS: Training of medical examiners,
PROFILE
of the International Academy of who are responsible for the medical
Aviation and Space Medicine assessments of pilots and air traffic
(IAASM)? As the first Singaporean controllers, has fallen behind the
who will lead this international advancement of aviation expansion
professional body, what are your worldwide, especially in developing
thoughts on taking on this global countries experiencing a boom in the
leadership position? aviation travel sector. This will be a
JS: The Academy was founded in key focus area.
INTERVIEW BY 1955 with the objective of promoting
and searching for new knowledge in Do you have any words of advice
Dr Gan Wee Hoe aerospace medicine and contributing for younger doctors in training
to international cooperation among or those who hope to pursue
those devoted to education and aviation medicine?
Dr Gan Wee Hoe is
research in this particular field.
the president of the JS: The specialty of aviation
Aviation and space medicine are the
Society of Aviation medicine is unique and very
fields of medicine concerned with
Medicine Singapore. challenging in that it covers most
the maintenance of health, safety
of the other medical disciplines, as
and performance of those involved
well as psychology in relation to the
Legend in aviation or space activity (flight).
health, performance and safety of
It is an honour to be filling the shoes
1. Assistance visit to HK workers in a unique occupational
of eminent and famous people in the
Int Airport — for public setting. The specialty offers
health events world of aviation medicine. I hope
fulfilling, challenging and varied work
2. Then CPT(Dr) Jarnail to fly Singapore’s flag high, but I
experiences across military and civil
Singh chairing a meeting will need the support of the entire
aviation. You are not likely to be a
with fellow medical fraternity to do this.
staff at the RSAF millionaire, but you’ll definitely enjoy
Aeromedical Centre the work!
Under your tenure, are there specific
3. Director — Generals of
areas in aviation medicine and
Civil Aviation Conference
Macao 2012
aviation safety that you will drive
4. Leading a panel
IAASM to focus on?
discussion at the ICAO
CAPSCA meeting
5. Won Chuel Kay
Award, AsMA 4 5
6. In Bogota, Colombia.
Photos by Dr Jarnail Singh
6
SMA News / sep 2015SCS-SMA Cancer Education
Seminar Series 2015
Date: 31 October 2015, Saturday
Time: 1 pm – 4.30 pm (Lunch will be provided)
Venue: Health Promotion Board Auditorium (3 Second Hospital Avenue)
Number of CME Points: Pending approval from the Singapore Medical Council
To register, visit http://www.sma.org.sg/academy
p // g g/ y or fill in the form below
THEME: PROSTATE CANCER
Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer among Singaporean men but early detection can save
lives. As a GP, you can advise, encourage and empower your patients to take ownership of their prostate
health and adopt healthy lifestyle practices for cancer prevention. So sign up for the SCS-SMA Cancer
Education Series to learn how you could be a life changer for the patients you care for.
Time Programme
GENERAL PRACTITIONERS
1 pm Registration (Lunch will be provided)
ARE THE FIRST LINE
2 pm Welcome Address
— Mr David Fong, Chief Operating Officer, Singapore Cancer Society
OF DEFENCE AGAINST
CANCER.
2.10 pm Introduction
— Dr Tan Yeh Hong, President, Singapore Urological Association
2.15 pm 1) Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Clinical Evaluation
2) Treatment of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
3) PSA Screening — Yes or No? The Controversy
4) Prostate Cancer Treatment Options & Robotic Surgery
5) Testosterone Replacement and Prostate Cancer Risk
6) Prostate Cancer Prevention — Myths or Truths
3.45 pm Panel Discussion
4.15 pm Closing Remarks
4.30 pm End of Seminar
Supported by: Sponsored by:
Please return this slip for SCS-SMA Cancer Education Series to Carina Lee, Singapore Medical Association, 2 College Road,
Level 2, Alumni Medical Centre, Singapore 169850. Tel: 6223 1264, fax: 6224 7827 or email: carinalee@sma.org.sg.
A confirmation email will be issued to all applicants.
Name: Handphone no.:
Email: Profession/Specialty:
MCR no.: SMA member: Yes / No (please circle accordingly)
Registration Fees (inclusive of GST)
By registering for this event, you consent to the collection, usage and
SMA member: Complimentary disclosure of personal data provided for the purpose of this event, as
Non-member: $120 well as having your photographs and/or videos taken by SMA and its
appointed agents for the purpose of publicity and reporting of the event.
Mode of Payment
Credit Card
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Expiry date: / CVV2/CVC2 no.:
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Signature: Date:18 insight
1
A Glimpse
into the Past
Medicine in Singapore (Part 3)
1889 to 1905: Founding and the first batch
This is the third instalment of a series on the history of medicine in Singapore.
SMA News / sep 2015You can also read
