Season 2
Paths
The path of medicine is lifelong. In a changing world, there are corresponding changes in the practice, and people of medicine. In this series we talk to individuals who embody these changes at all levels. At the macro level, institutional or policy changes to adapt, and at the micro level: maintaining connection in the doctor-patient relationship, taking meandering paths to medicine or having qualified, through sheer vision and will forged their own paths, building pathways that we can walk down today.
Season Episodes
Prof Chong Yap Seng, Dean of NUS Medicine, talks about the waves that are changing medicine and how medical students can preserve our core sense of humanity in clinical practice and research by tapping on the arts and social sciences. He also shares about the newly launched MBBS Intercalated Year Programme, which aims to prepare students for such disruptions and to navigate increasingly complex and multidisciplinary environments.
Tan Jun Xiang and Goh Wei Sheng are fifth year medical students who form a handful of ex-polytechnic students in NUS Medicine. We find out about what inspired them to embark on this relatively unconventional journey and who were the key people they sought advice from before applying. We also discuss how their polytechnic education has prepared them for the rigour of medical school and the various opportunities one can take to socialise with different people in medicine.
Leighton and Lucius are year four medical students at NUS Medicine. Leighton transferred from NUS Pharmacy, while Lucius was from NUS Nursing. In this episode, they shared their motivations for transferring, the preparation process and practical advice for others considering transfer.
Dr Tan Yia Swam is the first female President of the Singapore Medical Association, a breast surgeon at Thomson Medical Centre, and a proud mother of three sons. In this episode, she candidly shares about the initial scepticism some expressed about her ambition to pursue surgery, the encouragement she received from supportive seniors, and eventually succeeding as a female surgeon. As President of the 61st SMA Council, she envisions to herald a revamp of the SMA, with a focus on increasing engagement with and improving representation for young medical students and doctors.
Professor Christopher Cheng is the CEO of Sengkang General Hospital and author of I Thought I Knew, a book that chronicles his experience with prostate cancer and as a pioneer in surgical techniques to treat the condition. In this episode, we discuss authenticity in the doctor-patient relationship, complex adaptive systems, and self-forgiveness.
Dr Muntasir, a hand surgeon from Sengkang General Hospital, talks about his experience volunteering and translating at foreign workers’ dormitories during the height of the COVID19 Pandemic in Singapore. In our conversation, he shared ways we can build our sense of empathy and professionalism through finding positive role models during tough training, the humility to apologise when a mistake is made, and confronting our fear of the unknown.
Dr Shravan Verma is the founder of Speedoc, an advanced medical home care service. In the first of our two-part interview, we explore what it means to be a “clinical innovator” and how Dr Verma’s background in biomedical engineering and medicine has coalesced into his entrepreneurial venture, Speedoc. He shares about common obstacles doctorpreneurs might face and the mindset required to succeed for those who, like him, aspire to problem solve through innovation.
In the second half of our two-part interview with Dr Shravan Verma, founder of Speedoc, we discuss how house calls, though anachronistic, might still have its place in Singapore’s primary care services. Dr Verma also shares how he overcame numerous challenges in the initial stages of setting up Speedoc. Given technology’s increasingly pervasive role in healthcare, he recommends some skills which doctors can pick up – beyond what is taught in medical school – to keep up with the changing norms.
Dr Leslie Tay, of @ieatishootipost shares his love of food with us and Dr Paul Tern of @AlternativeCV. Together, we explore the possibility of maintaining a hobby alongside medical practice, and Dr Leslie explains his motivations behind the food blog. We also discuss the role hawker culture plays in our collective Singaporean heritage, and ways we can preserve this unique piece of our identity.
Dr Sudesna Roy Chowdhury (she/her) @sudezna, developer of a translation website that has aided the fight against Covid-19 and Her World magazine’s Woman of the Year 2020, delves into her experience as an advocate for marginalised communities in Singapore, especially the migrant worker community. Centering on Dr Sudesna’s personal insights, we discuss the importance of advocacy and ways in which we can all make a difference as doctors and medical students.
Grace Chua @grassilo, 3rd year medical student at LKC Medicine is also a badminton player with the Singapore National Team. We discuss the possibility of keeping up with professional sport training on top of medical studies, and Grace explains her time management strategies and prioritisation of interests. We also discuss how she pioneered the possibility of attending university alongside sport for others in similar positions.
Infographic Posts
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