Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Dec 2005
Historical Article2005 Distinguished Academician Lecture: Evolution of postgraduate medical education in Singapore--role of professional associations.
From 1910 to 1945, doctors in Singapore received postgraduate training through apprenticeship. During the early post-war period, some doctors in the public service were given scholarships to study in Britain and to obtain higher professional qualifications from the British Royal Colleges. ⋯ From 1970 to 1999, there was expansion in several aspects of postgraduate medical education: SPMS awarded more than 2000 M Med degrees; the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) established a Register of Specialists and formed a Specialist Accreditation Board; the Academy formed Chapters in 10 specialties and developed Advanced Specialty Training programmes leading to Fellowship of the Academy of Medicine Singapore (FAMS); the SMA formed Societies in some 20 specialties; and a College of Family Physicians was inaugurated. There have been more developments from 2000 to 2005: the University restructured SPMS as a Division of Graduate Medical Studies within the Faculty of Medicine; the SMC implemented compulsory Continuing Medical Education; and the Academy converted 6 of its 10 Chapters into Colleges.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Dec 2005
Continuing professional development--supporting the delivery of quality healthcare.
Patients and the general public have a right to expect that doctors remain up to date and are professionally competent. The ultimate aim of continuing professional development (CPD) is to contribute to high-quality patient care. The General Medical Council in the UK has published guidance in relation to standards for CPD, appraisal and revalidation. ⋯ This paper describes a framework for effective CPD and includes methods of self-assessment of clinical practice. Contributions to effective CPD come from 3 sources--doctors, CPD providers and accrediting bodies. The CPD system of recording credits currently in use by the Royal Colleges of Physicians in the UK is also described.