1. Some challenges faced as an IMG upon returning to Singapore
Most challenges faced would be similar for medical graduates staying on to work in the same country they have studied/trained in as those who move to another country to work; they are challenges that medical students in general face upon becoming a doctor:
- Responsibility
- Diagnostic & therapeutic dilemmas
- Managing expectations of patients and families
- End of life issues
- IT system
- Medical jargon / acronyms
- Department culture & politics
The main differences between working in Singapore and the UK:
- On call hours – 30h (day work -> on call -> day work), some places do float system in Singapore; all float or shift system in UK
- Total working hours a week – 80h (residency rules) in Singapore, 40-48h in UK
- Weekends – half a day a weekend in Singapore, only if you’re on call on the weekend in UK
- Pre-rounding before ward rounds with seniors, so early starts
- (main differences are related to working hours and definitely affects work-life balance so people do get burnt out)
- Hierarchical – but now with more younger consultants this is less evident on day to day practise
- Certain medical practises – inotropic use in general ward via peripheral line, ICU care & intubation, antibiotic use, cost issues limiting investigations / treatment for patients
- Communications (& ethics surrounding confidentiality) with patients & families
With regards to networking opportunities for residency training, I don’t think this is too big an issue because in general there is no rush in going into residency until you are quite certain that it is the right choice.
As you work & interact with colleagues to find out if residency is for you, you will get to know relevant people who might help you later on to get in.
2. What was applying for housemanship in Singapore like for you?
Interview during MOHH recruitment drive in London:
- For me: interview questions were non-medical. Questions felt like they wanted to get to know me better, what I wanted to do in the future
- Some friends have had medical questions asked
- I’ve heard from talking to seniors that overall recruitment of doctors in Singapore is coming down – 5-10 years ago, it was rare that IMGs applying back to Singapore to work didn’t get a job, but in recent years have heard from juniors that it seems to be getting harder now
After interview, there is alot of admin! Mainly to get SMC registration done, and for hospital to obtain information/documents to prepare you to start.
- Felt this process frustrating because it felt like how people described NS: “rush to wait and wait to rush”
- Gathering documents that become available at different times
- Even though you would think hospital is expecting you to start work on a certain date, you end up still not having access to places or the system
At the end of the day, you should consider pros and cons of Singapore versus whereever you are thinking of; however it might be difficult since you’ve never fully worked before to know how it will be.
Knowing how work will be like (as above discussion) might not be that important afterall. Eg. if you are returning to Singapore mainly because of family (like for me).
Ultimately each individual’s decision will be unique as everyone will weigh different factors differently. You just need to know for yourself what factors are important to you.
