SPECIAL FEATURE

MOH Holdings (MOHH)
Special Features | Healthcare

A Bright Outlook
For Allied Health
Professionals

Singapore’s public healthcare is one of the best in the world. Find out more about how Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) help make it so – and the numerous career opportunities that await you as an AHP.

Singapore’s public healthcare sector is kept running smoothly not only by doctors and nurses, but also by the dedication and effort of its AHPs, who form a critical pillar of the public healthcare system. AHPs comprise different groups of healthcare professionals providing diagnostic, therapeutic and other clinical support services – these professionals include Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Medical Social Worker, Radiographers and more.

Associate Professor Celia Tan, Group Director of Allied Health at SingHealth and Immediate Past Director of the Singapore General Hospital-Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (SGH-PGAHI), tells us how the Allied Health profession is moving forward into the future.

Tells Us More About Ahps In Singapore’s Public Healthcare Sector.

Celia Tan: There are over 20 Allied Health Professions (AHP) found in public hospitals today. Allied Health Professionals are an inter-professional integration of healthcare professionals, working alongside doctors and nurses as a larger whole unit within the healthcare system.


"While there may not be such a large gap between academia and practice today, there is certainly a need to provide new graduates with continuous training during the course of their career"

At SingHealth, we set up the Group Allied Health department in 2011 to take care of the needs of the different allied health professions. The Department provides an essential platform for AHPs to share best practices in healthcare, synergise their expertise to innovate and integrate patient care as well as drive initiatives for AHPs’ professional development. The results have been positive as we see strength in numbers to move agendas and optimise resources.

How Will The SGH-Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (Pgahi) Help Develop AHPs In Both Their Expertise And Their Careers?

Celia: When I first started out as a Physiotherapist in the 1980s, I noticed a huge gap between the knowledge and skills I was taught overseas and the actual practice of physiotherapy in Singapore. While there may not be such a large gap between academia and practice today, there is certainly a need to provide new graduates with continuous training during the course of their career. The healthcare landscape is ever-changing and healthcare professionals need to keep abreast of the latest developments and acquire new clinical knowledge and skills.

Having a postgraduate training institute, especially one located in the clinical environment, is strategic as the skills in patient care is most critical after you graduate. The SGH-PGAHI was established in 2006, to provide continuing education for AHPs to upskill themselves by learning from overseas experts and local experts. More importantly, the Institute provides training for local AHP educators to be more effective teachers as well as researchers through inter-professional courses.

Why Is It Important To Develop Structured Training And Career Frameworks For Ahps In Singapore?

Celia: Structured training and career development should go hand-in-hand, to ensure that senior AHPs are equipped with appropriate and advanced competencies and knowledge to practice as well as train the next generation of AHPs.

In the past, moving into an administrative leadership role was the norm to advance one’s career. Eventually, we found that we were losing valuable and talented AH clinicians who became senior administrative staff but were still passionate about clinical work. There were also AHPs who are keen in education and research, but faced limited opportunities to take on these activities in a concerted manner. The end result is a tradition-locked human resource system where frustrated clinicians left the public sector to start up private practices.

To help address these issues, we started establishing alternative career pathways to enable AHPs to pursue their passion and advance in their fields of expertise. We worked very closely with our Human Resource colleagues to develop a competency-based career pathway that enabled AHPs to receive the right training for the right roles, striking a balance between clinical practice and administrative duties as they take on leadership positions. This means that senior AH clinicians can now enjoy a mix of clinical, administrative, educational and research responsibilities.

What Sets The Public Healthcare Sector Apart From Other Fields?

Celia: In order to succeed in the healthcare sector, you have to think of the needs of others first. Healthcare is really about addressing the needs of patients. Do well for your patients and you do well for yourself in your career as a clinician.

I remember being attached to a paediatric clinic as part of my coursework, during which I encountered a 10-year-old child suffering from quadriplegic cerebral palsy (a movement disorder involving the body as a whole, including speech and hearing).

Associate Professor Celia Tan

Designation:
Group Director of Allied Health at
SingHealth and Immediate Past Director
of the SGH-PGAHI

Studied:
Doctor of Philosophy, University of
Western Australia, Australia

Masters in Applied Science and Graduate
Diploma in Paediatric Physiotherapy,
Sydney University, Australia

Diploma in Physiotherapy,
Auckland Technical Institute, New Zealand

At first glance, he appeared to be quite uncommunicative and unwilling to engage with me. Initially, I thought to myself, “What can I possibly do for the poor child?” and “How am I supposed to get through this clinical placement when I have no idea what is wrong and what to do?”

"Being a Physiotherapist is about having the passion to make a difference in another person’s life with whatever skills and knowledge we have."

The turning point came only when my supervisor mentioned that the child was in fact using his eyes to communicate with me and had asked where I came from. With that breakthrough in communication, I saw that behind this body’s paralytic condition was a child. I started to find out more about him, what he needed, and how his family coped with him and his siblings. By the end of the month, I passed my attachment with flying colours! I had found my calling, and that is to make a difference in another person’s life through Physiotherapy. Being a Physiotherapist is more than just sports management. It is about having the passion to make a difference in another person’s life with whatever skills and knowledge we have.

Why Should Students Take Up A Healthcare Scholarship To Join The Public Healthcare Sector As An AHP?

Celia: As the population ages and more healthcare facilities are built to cater to Singapore’s healthcare needs, the public healthcare sector is a rapidly growing one that offers plenty of career opportunities. The recognition of AHPs in the public healthcare sector has also matured immensely over the years and much work is still ongoing to provide better recognition and development opportunities. However, I would also caution that the healthcare sector is not for everyone and you need to prepare yourself by understanding what it means to be working in a healthcare profession.

"In order to succeed in the healthcare sector, you have to think of the needs of others first."

AHPs require similar aptitudes to other healthcare professional such as doctors and nurses. It is a profession where you give your time and energy to help others. The hospital runs round the clock, and you must be ready to work in such a demanding and fast-paced environment. Join the healthcare sector as an AHP, if you too hope to make a difference in someone’s life!