Encouraging Singaporean Medical Students to Specialise as Family Doctors

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Health in light of plans under Healthier SG to promote the use of family doctors (a) whether the Ministry has expended any efforts to engage Singaporean medical students locally or abroad to persuade more medical students and medical graduates to specialise as family doctors or family GPs; and (b) if this has not yet been done, whether the Ministry will consider doing so.

MOH has been working on several fronts to interest and encourage our doctors and medical students to take up family medicine.

Firstly, we have included more topics on family medicine in the curriculum of local medical schools. The Joint Committee of Family Medicine Singapore also runs outreach activities to raise awareness of family medicine training among medical students.

Secondly, MOH Holdings conducts regular recruitment drives and engagements to encourage Singaporeans studying in recognised overseas medical schools to return home to practise. Through these platforms, these medical students are updated on the latest developments in Singapore, including plans for HealthierSG, as well as the importance of family physicians.

Thirdly, MOH has been working with healthcare institutions and relevant professional bodies to develop more pathways and places for family medicine training.