| Overview of General Surgery in Singapore |
The Chapter of Surgeons was founded in 1966 as membership from different specialities grew. Prof Yeoh Ghim Seng saw an urgent need to put in place a training scheme for local surgeons. In this regard, a 12 week course from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons leading to the RACS part I examination was started in 1957. 11 out of 42 candidates passed in that year. Those who were successful were appointed trainees and rotated through various surgical departments with the aim of acquiring enough experience to be sent abroad for fellowship exams in the UK and Australia.
Passing these exams meant the opportunity to work in their chosen surgical specialities in their host country. In this fashion, local surgeons were trained in general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, ENT surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and plastic surgery.
Message from the Chapter Chairman, Dr Wong Soong Kuan.
Surgery in Singapore is at the crossroads of a changing medico-legal landscape, rapid advances in technique and the challenges of postgraduate training. However, surgery remains the discipline where some of the most tangible improvements in the quality of our patient’s lives can be made. This is the very reason why it continues to be a satisfying and fulfilling practice.
The Chapter of general surgery aims to maintain its relevancy through several aims: Notably, providing a channel for professional continuing medical education (cme) through information, organization of combined surgical meetings and residency review courses. In regard to expressing the concerns of the impact of changes in the healthcare system to the ministry of health through the academy. This role needs to develop more proactively and the chapter through the college can suggest and help implement meaningful change. To this end our plans for the year will entail the formulation of procedure risk assessment lists that will help in the informed consent process, cme integration and reaching out to more surgeons. Further defining sub-specialty practice and its unique needs through the development of sections that will integrate with already existing sub-specialty societies will leverage on resources.
Now is the time for all general surgeons to contribute your ideas, time and effort to developing this community thus enhancing your practice. I would also like to strongly encourage surgeons who are not fellows of the academy to strongly consider joining. Let us journey together as a fraternity ready for the many changes and challenges ahead.
- Chapter Annual Report 2006
- Chapter Annual Report 2007
- Chapter Annual Report 2008
- Chapter Annual Report 2009
- Chapter Annual Report 2010
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