The LKCMedicine ISSN 2335-6871 Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine’s bi-monthly newsletter
August 2018 | ISSUE 37
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2018! 03 NEWS
10 IN FOCUS
18 POST GRAD
20 RESEARCH
A warm welcome to the Class of 2023
First GDSM cohort ready to start
First population health study kick-starts
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The LKCMedicine
The LKCMedicine Team
ISSUE 37 | AUGUST 2018
MESSAGE FROM OUR STAFF
Advisor
Professor Lionel Lee, Executive Vice-Dean
Editor-in-Chief
Siti Rohanah Koid
By Dr Diana Barron, Senior Tutor, Marie Curie House
Editor
Anne Loh
Contributors & Writers Dr Anshuni Kaneria Dr Diana Barron Grace Ang Mike Barrett Nicole Lim Sean Firoz
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ongratulations to our First Class, the Class of 2018 that graduates this year! As we bid farewell to the Class of 2018, we offer a warm welcome to the new cohort! (Warning ahead!) I am so excited to find out who our new cohort is and what each one of you are going to bring to LKCMedicine. As you are about to discover, medical school provides the best of educations – does any other course teach you about science and humanity, history and innovation, global healthcare policy and one individual’s lived experience (and the list goes on)? Welcome to your life-long journey of learning and discovery. Apart from all that academic stuff, here’s what to expect for the next five years:
Editor’s Corner Two beginnings dovetail to make this August issue more special than usual. The Class of 2018, LKCMedicine’s first cohort will have enjoyed a very meaningful Convocation on the NTU main campus. Although they have started work in Singapore’s hospitals across the island, it feels like a true beginning only after the last well-wish has been said. We’ve captured some poignant moments in our pages. We also celebrate the five medal winners who have excelled and made their mark on the School. At this time every year, we warmly welcome a new MBBS cohort – this year, the Class of 2023. They will be starting their journey to become doctors of the future, wherever they’re needed. Like Dr Diana Barron, who graciously penned our welcome message this issue, we’re also looking forward to getting to know the new batch. We speak to a few of them for this issue. Don’t miss the latest news and happenings as well. Happy reading!
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The next five years are going to be fast and furious. You will live in each other’s pockets. You will never be alone. There will always be more work to do… … and something that you can improve on. There are endless scheduled learning activities, ad hoc teaching, assessments* and feedback*. • (…and then there is the relentless social calendar that you simply must keep up with). Every interaction and encounter in LKCMedicine are opportunities to learn. The House System is no exception – there is no escaping it and there is no reprieve. On the positive side… in your Houses, you will learn that every House member, including you, is here to support each other. Each one of us (from the lowly M1s to loftiest of M5s*, to the most cerebral of academics) has the capacity to be a role model, a mentor, a colleague and, when the chips are really down, a listening ear and purveyor of foodstuff* and comfort). Please take note of the good news: • • • • •
Your Houses and House Tutors* are approachable, approach us. Your seniors* are experienced, draw on their experience. As a community, if something is good, we share it. If something is not working, we fix it. If you need help, ask for it.
*TERMS TO KNOW Assessments: an evaluation of knowledge and/or skills. Examples are summative and formative exams, reflective essays, presentations, iRAs, tRAs. Feedback: information about your performance that you use to plan your personal development. Examples are peer review, multisource feedback, iFolio Foodstuff: Pizza, again? Really?!
Anne Loh The LKCMedicine Editor Keep in touch: facebook.com/LKCMedicine twitter.com/NTU_LKCMedicine
House Tutors: You are allocated your own house tutor who can be called upon in almost any circumstance – they will always have your back. M5s: it is very, very, very rare to actually see one; take a wefie and send it to Comms or the Med Soc immediately for the next yearbook. Seniors: these creatures tend to be very helpful and can answer almost any questions you have. (Warning: you will be a senior next year.)
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CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATES! 1. LKCMedicine’s very first graduands stand for the national anthem that started Convocation 2018 2. President of the Republic of Singapore Madam Halimah Yacob presides over her first convocation as NTU Chancellor 3. In another first, NTU President Prof Subra Suresh delivers his inaugural convocation address to a packed Nanyang Auditorium 4. Class of 2018 graduand Dr Ang Jia Wei, who topped her class, goes up to receive her Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal from Madam Halimah. Dr Ang also received the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award 5. Class of 2018 graduand Dr Moses Ko shakes Madam Halimah’s hand as he accepts his Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award. Dr Ko is also a double award winner as he received the Toh Kian Chui Gold Medal for excelling in his final year exams.
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n 24 July, 2018, the national anthem Majulah Singapura rang in a muchawaited moment. NTU Singapore’s first convocation ceremony of 2018 were presided over by none other than the President of the Republic of Singapore, Madam Halimah Yacob, her first as NTU Chancellor. It was also a first for newlyappointed NTU President Professor Subra Suresh. And a first for LKCMedicine, a joint medical school by NTU and Imperial College London officially signed into existence on 29 October 2010.
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Opening his first convocation ceremony, Prof Suresh said in his address, “This convocation is special to me personally because it is my first as President of NTU.” He went on to acknowledge the many individuals who were receiving their honorary and academic degrees, including LKCMedicine’s inaugural cohort of 52 medical doctors. “Singapore and the world will benefit from them as they take on the important responsibility of caring for patients, and advancing the frontiers of medical and clinical practice in Singapore and beyond,” said Prof Suresh, who is also Distinguished University Professor. One honour bestowed that morning was the conferment of President Emeritus on Prof Bertil Andersson, who served NTU for more than 10 years, first as Provost then President of NTU from 2011 to 2017. In his acceptance speech, Prof Andersson said that if he had to pick one highlight from his time at NTU, it would be the setting up of LKCMedicine together with Imperial. Prof Andersson, who described himself as the happiest president emeritus in the world that morning, said, “I’m, therefore, very happy that I’m receiving the president emeritus honour here today on the same very day that the first cohort of LKCMedicine students graduate and become medical doctors.”
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6. Dr Joseph Wong receives his MBBS degree, jointly awarded by NTU Singapore and Imperial College London, from Madam Halimah 7. Dr Ang Jia Wei delivers her Valedictorian speech, with which the first convocation session came to a close 8. Holding their degree certificates, the now graduates rise to applaud the faculty and staff who taught, mentored and supported them over their five years at the medical school 9. Dr Ang gets ready for the ceremony with a little help from her twin sister, Ang Jia Xi 10. LKCMedicine graduands strike a final pose before entering the Auditorium to receive their well-earned degrees
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LKCMedicine graduates receive their joint NTU-Imperial MBBS degrees In front of their parents, well-wishers and the many proud faculty and staff from LKCMedicine, NTU and Imperial, the LKCMedicine graduates went on stage to receive their joint degrees. They were presented to the NTU Chancellor by LKCMedicine Dean Professor James Best and Imperial Faculty of Medicine Dean Professor Jonathan Weber. It fell to the valedictorian, Dr Ang Jia Wei, to bring the ceremony to a close. She reflected on her and her batchmates’ five years at medical school. “Together we were the pioneer batch, not just in name but in spirit. It was with each other that we broke new ground,” said Dr Ang. “Together we faced uncertainty with confidence and a can-do spirit. More importantly, we did not only survive, we thrived.” Speaking after the ceremony, Prof Best said, “I am very excited about the graduation of our first class because it has been many years in the planning and today is the day that it has all come together.Our doctors have been educated to work as good team members, to support each other. They’ve also been educated to always put the patient first and I am sure that that will be the legacy of the medical school.”
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NEWS | Page 5
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11. This wefie marks one of the last moments as students for these four LKCMedicine graduands 12. Dr Lavisha Punjabi’s family beams with pride on this happy day 13. Dr Stewart Retnam proves aiming true will carry the day 14. LKCMedicine graduates delight in the traditional mortarboard throwing 15. Mum and dad join in the fun with a group of new graduates 16. LKCMedicine graduate Dr Robert Foong celebrates his special moment with his family 17. LKCMedicine graduate Dr Brenton Sio with his loved ones
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TOPPING LKCMEDICINE’S FIRST CLASS
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ive LKCMedicine graduates from the Class of 2018 were conferred seven special accolades in the form of medals, prizes and awards, at the Inaugural Cohort Graduation Dinner on 22 July, and the NTU Convocation on 24 July. As a new medical school graduating its First Class, three newly established prizes and awards were given out at the Graduation Dinner, co-presented by Guest-of-Honour, the Minister for Education Mr Ong Ye Kung. The rest are NTU-level awards presented at the Convocation by President of the Republic of Singapore and NTU Chancellor Madam Halimah Yacob. Valedictorian Dr Ang Jia Wei received two of the most prestigious NTU awards at the Convocation: the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award. By virtue of the award’s name, the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal commands the greatest respect and is presented for academic excellence across all years of study to those who have attained Honours. The Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award is presented to exceptional students who show great leadership and character, and
also honours inspirational former teachers and NTU faculty members. “Winning not one but two awards was a great surprise and I feel very honoured. I’m very happy that I got the chance to thank two inspirational mentors with the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award. Mr Sam Lee was my civics tutor and a core tutor of the Math and Science Talent Programme at Hwa Chong Institution. He enabled me to develop a critical way of evaluating knowledge and approaching scientific problems. Associate Professor Tham Kum Ying is a role model whom I look up to, who has imparted much wisdom about approaching and managing patients,” said Dr Ang. Assistant Dean for Year 5 A/ Prof Tham in turn said that Dr Ang embodies the three C’s, “In addition to being caring towards her patients, she is caring towards her classmates and took great care of her peers during her year as class rep. She gives careful consideration and full attention to matters that are important to her. As a keen observer who reflects on her experiences, Jia
Wei’s response to situations is well calibrated, which makes her a good communicator.” Dr Moses Ko was the School’s other recipient of the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award. He thanked his literature teacher from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Mr Brian Connor for exposing him “to the complexity of language and communication” and also taught him to appreciate that “viewpoints could be different but justified”. Dr Ko also looked up to LKCMedicine William Osler House Senior House Tutor Associate Professor Mary Wong not only as a clinician but also a mentor who constantly reminded him not to get lost in the demands of medicine and thus forget character development, relationships and health. Dr Ko also received the Toh Kian Chui Gold Medal for being the top performing medical student in his final year. “I only checked my results in April although they were released in January, and didn’t know I was top scholar or won the gold medal. In my final year, I was juggling multiple commitments:
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Singapore (AMS), from AMS Master Dr S R E Sayampanathan. This medal was established at the School to recognise a student from the graduating cohort with outstanding leadership, passion, independence and resilience among other stellar character traits.
training for the NTU inter-varsity race taking place the day after final exams, church, staying healthy, resting well, and spending time with family. I wasn’t one of the fastest in the race, but I managed to qualify and gained some points for NTU; I was pleasantly surprised,” he said.
Gordon Johnson was former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of University of Cambridge and President of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. Dr Tan was presented with the congratulatory letter by Mr Teo at the Graduation Dinner; the Gold Medal was presented at the Convocation.
“Moses is an esteemed scholar and accomplished sportsman in equal measure; mature, level-headed, affable and an authentic gentleman,” said A/Prof Wong. “He embodies other sterling qualities such as patience, empathy, sensitivity and a serious approach to life and work, which will make him an excellent doctor.”
When asked how he aced his clinical skills, Dr Tan said, “Mostly just practising with my batch mates. We kept going through common clinical scenarios. Personally, I’m most confident with the communication sessions. As I’m now posted to paediatrics on my PGY1, where many parents are very anxious all the time, I find that I’m more confident speaking with them as we went through the module with angry and sad parents. I find it actually prepared me well.”
Inaugural LKCMedicine Alumni Association President Dr Leon Tan was awarded the first Anthony SC Teo-Gordon Johnson Gold Medal for attaining the best clinical skills results from years three to five. Mr Anthony Teo was Secretary to the University at NTU while Professor
Two inaugural School prizes were also presented at the Graduation Dinner. Dr Julia Ng received the Medal from the Academy of Medicine
Dr Lavisha S Punjabi is the inaugural recipient of the College of Family Physicians Prize. This is given to the best essay on family medicine to the question “What are the benefits for patients and society of a healthcare system in which Family Medicine is well developed?” Her encounters with classmates and tutors who were passionate about primary care and the good it can do compelled her to address this question. “I felt strongly that the benefits are adequately studied and well-established but raised another question in my conclusion, which I hope generates meaningful conversation,” said Dr Punjabi. She had concluded in her essay: “In Singapore, it is a question of what more we can do – while we are grooming family physicians of the future, building new infrastructure and modifying models of healthcare – to respond to the predicaments of today, and tomorrow. Frankly, I feel our conversation has just begun.” With the Convocation wrapping up all the bittersweet memories of five years well spent at LKCMedicine and sending the first batch of young doctors on their life’s work in Singapore and beyond, it is time to bid them farewell but we’ll definitely be hearing about their achievements in the future.
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The LKCMedicine
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HACKS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF LKCMEDICINE: ACCORDING TO SENIORS
Manage your time! In the first two years, you will have a lot of time to engage in school activities within NTU, Hall and LKCMedicine, and finding your own balance between TeamBased Learning (TBL) preparations and such activities is key.” Yap Hong Wei, Class of 2020 “University life isn’t all work and no play. Find a CCA to join! I took on the chairperson role of the NTU Piano Ensemble and it’s been a busy but fulfilling year filled with many events. It is important to find something that you enjoy doing, and make new friends outside of LKCMedicine. Having a good study-life balance will help you stay happy and healthy!” Cheong Nian Kai, Class of 2022
“Start your study sessions early. I recommend either doing it two days before the session or during the day before the session so that you won’t rush through the videos and be overwhelmed by the amount of content you need to cram into your head.” Bureau Nicolas Khairul, Class of 2020
“Make sure you get all your outfits for school ready. Your survival kit should include a set of workwear for your ICP sessions, smart casual clothes and jacket for TBLs (in the sometimesfreezing Learning Studio), and long pants with covered shoes for your science practical sessions. Did I mention your white and lab coats?” Goh Xin Rong, Class of 2021
“Volunteer for school outreach events when you have the time! You get to learn more about the school, practise your practical skills during showcases, and possibly get your hands on some school merchandise!” Lee Kai Wei and Candice Ang, Class of 2019
“Bookmark ‘fulltext@NTU’ on your iPad, computer and mobile phone! It gives you easy access to clinical resources (e.g. uptodate) and a whole host of journal articles that our school subscribes to. This is great for TBL lessons, lunchtime discussions and late-night report writing.” Teo Tong Lin, Class of 2020 “Find a good group of study buddies. I’ve had the good fortune of learning loads from my friends and teammates. Just make sure you don’t spend most of your time gossiping in the library!” Ezra Khor, Class of 2020 “Our Medical Society (MedSoc) has a wide and diverse range of activities throughout the academic year to help spice up your life: sports, interhouse games, showcasing your hidden talents on the big stage, career talks and engagements with senior doctors or the many Community Involvement Programmes. I’m sure you can find something to your liking! “ Daniel Tan, Class of 2021
Maximise your iPad! Other than the default LKCMedicine apps, use study tools and atlases to maximise your study periods. Apps that we use on a regular basis include Complete Anatomy and Notability. Flashcard apps like Anki can be very useful for retention of information, such as lists of bacteria and drugs.” Zenneth Lim, Class of 2021 and Hannah Abbot Li’En, Class of 2022 “Spend time doing what you love and what you find meaningful. Your first year is really the best chance for this because the workload will only get heavier with each year, so make good use of this opportunity!” Yang Sin Yee, Class of 2020
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IN FOCUS | Page 15
The LKCMedicine
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The LKCMedicine
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STUDENTS’ TAKE | Page 9
The LKCMedicine
Page 10 | IN FOCUS
WHAT WOULD I TELL MY YEAR 1 SELF?
LKCMEDICINE ENGAGES OVER 1,000 PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
The LKCMedicine
ISSUE 37 | AUGUST 2018
CLASS OF 2023: HAVING A HEART FOR MEDICINE
Sometimes we all want to turn back time. Whether it be to right wrongdoings, accept missed opportunities or going back to a simpler time. Here’s what the current Year 4s would tell their Year 1 selves.
By Sean Firoz, Assistant Manager, Communications & External Relations
exposure and valuable experience from the faculty and seniors in the School.
event, the aspiring doctors are conferred their white coat and then led to recite the Declaration of a New Medical Student, promising to practise medicine with integrity, humility and compassion. Anglo-Chinese Junior College graduate Muhammad Danish bin Massuryono said, “It’s been my dream to don the white coat and start my journey into medicine. I was counting down the days to when that dream becomes a reality.”
Getting out in the field To be a doctor, one must have compassion to listen to the patients, and making their recovery journey to complete health with as much support as the doctor can muster. That is why many of the incoming cohort went on volunteering missions and attachments to see what the medical field is like out there.
attention and advice for direct treatment in the future. It reminded me of the hope that medicine inspires, a hope my family and I had benefitted from,” said Calvin. Priyenka Vijay Anand, a graduate from Raffles Institution, also volunteered at welfare organisations and charities such as the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped and the Red Cross Home for the Disabled. Her first-hand experiences in these institutions, from time spent with the patrons, strengthened her resolve to positively impact the lives around her. These experiences certainly humbled the incoming students, giving them insight into the workings of hospitals and voluntary welfare organisations and the impact they have. This further cemented their aspiration to become doctors. “Such experiences have led me to be deeply drawn to the nature of medicine – that it can transform knowledge into hope for all,” added Calvin.
Before applying for medical school, Hwa Chong Institution graduate Calvin Chen spent his free time volunteering at Jurong GRC, where he helped out at healthcare-related events such as Project Big Heart.
Dreaming big
“At these events, I had the chance to work with people from all walks of life, from doctors and nurses to executives of healthcare institutions. Many of the residents who turned up for the events shared their anxieties and were relieved to receive medical
While the School’s inaugural cohort has graduated on 24 July and continue their Postgraduate Year 1, life as medical students continues for the rest of the cohorts in LKCMedicine. Aspirations remain big for the incoming Class of 2023,
looking towards bettering society in their capacity as future doctors. For some students, like Brjan, the dream of becoming a doctor goes beyond the borders of Singapore. “Having witnessed the aid that volunteer doctors can provide in Nepal, I want to continue contributing to medical missions as a trained doctor after graduation,” he said. Others look forward to a work-life balance that benefits both their patients and their loved ones. “I want to be a doctor who, despite a busy schedule, is still able to be there for my family and friends through their ups and downs, highs and lows, triumphs and failures,” said Wen Zhe. Whether it be to serve a greater good or to look after the health of generations of Singaporean families, the dream to be doctors who are professional, humble and compassionate is one that every LKCMedicine student aspires to. We look forward to watching over this new batch as they grow and become the doctors they deserve to be. As Angeline aptly puts it, “The journey ahead will be a long and difficult one, but I hope that I will always remember why I wanted to pursue medicine and to always place my patients at the heart of all that I do.”
It’s okay to not know everything and even make mistakes. People you don’t expect will teach you things you never knew, especially our patients. Compassion doesn’t excuse being irresponsible, yet it brings a tender and hopeful acceptance of who we are.
You’re going to be okay. The years ahead are going to be different and difficult, but they will be a period of growth too. You have your friends, family and mentors around you! So just keep calm and keep pushing yourself out there.
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Wee Lin
Nicholas Lee
Sophia Wong
You will make the most friends when you start off with none; you will gain the most knowledge when you know nothing at all; you will have the most fun when you don’t know what to expect. Don’t panic. You know what to do.
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ver a week dedicated to admissions and career talks, LKCMedicine faculty, staff and students reached out to over 1,000 aspiring medical students from 20 schools, junior colleges (JCs) and polytechnics. Officially kicking off on 9 July at the School’s Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) was the School’s annual Admissions and Career in Medicine talk, delivered by LKCMedicine Vice-Dean for Clinical Affairs Professor Pang Weng Sun. Speaking to an audience of 300 aspiring medical students, Prof Pang introduced LKCMedicine’s innovative curriculum and shared about the admissions criteria. He also spoke about entry requirements including the BioMedical Admissions Test and Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI).
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At the session, LKCMedicine Year 2 student Natalia Mar spoke about student life, giving a glimpse into the enriching experience LKCMedicine offers. After the talk, the students had a chance to have their burning questions answered. Many were keen to understand more about Team-Based Learning (TBL) and the School’s emphasis on patient-centred care. The students also asked questions about the qualities that the School was looking out for in the MMI.
Medical school is often touted for academic rigour and career security, but the most valuable skills are those of practical thinking, communication, and self-possession. Focus on the practical as much as the theoretical value of your ICP, and speak up in TBL; the instruments to become a good clinician are already in place from the beginning. Brian Ho
“University will be a huge jump from junior college, and I look forward to adapting to these changes, meeting new people and living independently on campus!” said fellow Raffles Institution graduate Angeline Aw.
The years in medical school will definitely be super fun, enriching and fulfilling. Be grateful for the patients who have been so understanding to let you learn from them – they are your best teachers after all. The friends you make in school will also be the people you can count on when things get tiring or draining.
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eeling lost and dejected, national shuttler Grace Chua was afraid she would never be able to compete again after her sports doctor had advised her to withdraw from an upcoming badminton competition following an injury sustained during a training session. For an athlete who had decided to put studies temporarily on hold to concentrate on sports, Grace had naturally imagined the worst. “The doctor, being a sportswoman herself, was able to empathise with me and came up with a recovery programme instead,” said Grace, a graduate of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), who continues to compete in badminton competitions both locally and regionally. “This inspired me to apply for medicine, so that I can contribute to the betterment of others’ lives,” said Grace. For Leo Wen Zhe, he came face to face with myriad medical problems – from cancer to mental illness – which afflicted his family and relatives when he was younger. Wen Zhe found himself visiting different hospitals and clinics, observing the many doctors who helped him and
his loved ones through thick and thin. “All in all, it’s a family affair which inspired me to get into this course,” said Wen Zhe, a Raffles Institution graduate and Toh Kian Chui scholar. “I know that it’s not easy to be a doctor, but I still ultimately remain steadfast in pursuing this career path.” Looking back at these ordeals, Grace and Wen Zhe were surprised by the sheer amount of empathy and compassion the doctors they met had when treating the patients under their care. Aspiring to be doctors who care for their patients as much as the ones that touched their hearts, Grace and Wen Zhe applied to LKCMedicine, and soon joined their other classmates in the Class of 2023.
Stepping up to the plate More than 850 applicants vied for a spot in the sixth cohort of LKCMedicine, and 138 students were finally enrolled to form the Class of 2023. Excited to be starting their LKCMedicine journey, the freshmen look forward to learn, and gain
Before starting on their MBBS journey, the students got a glimpse of what it is like to study in LKCMedicine through the School’s outreach programmes, such as the annual LKCMedicine School Talks and High Tea sessions. Many of the students were drawn to the practice of Team-Based Learning (TBL) here, which promotes a more hands-on approach to learning medicine. Other pull factors include the unique Imperial connection that LKCMedicine has and early exposure to patients. “Alongside a strong emphasis on patient-centred healthcare, LKCMedicine showcased its dedication in nurturing doctors who care intelligently and compassionately for patients, making the School a natural choice for me,” said Brjan Betzler, a graduate from Raffles Institution who was awarded the Nanyang Scholarship. Not only do they look forward to attending classes, the students also anticipate many school-related activities and new traditions in LKCMedicine. One annual affair is the Freshmen Orientation Camp, IntroDOCtion, where freshmen and seniors get to know each other. This year’s camp titled Coelestia, which is Latin for beings who strive for the stars, is a one-week camp filled with fun activities, learning experiences and new friendships. Another tradition that the students are looking forward to is the White Coat Ceremony, taking place on 15 August in NTU. At this auspicious
WELCOMING THE CLASS OF 2023
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1. Aspiring medical students visit the Practical Skills Lab where realistic practice models are on show 2. A demonstration of the Anatomage table, a digital anatomy visualiser is always a highlight of LKCMedicine tours 3. LKCMedicine student volunteers introduce the Simulated Ward, which is within the Practical Skills Lab 4. Many Raffles Institution students crowded around the LKCMedicine booth on Career and Scholarships Day 5. An audience of 300 aspiring medical students listen intently to Prof Pang during LKCMedicine’s annual Career in Medicine talk
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Following the lively Q&A, the students toured CSB’s bespoke learning facilities, and had a first-hand look at the use of technology at the Learning Studio, Practical Skills Lab and Anatomy Learning Centre. 4
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That same week, the LKCMedicine outreach team helmed by the Assistant Deans, visited many schools across Singapore including Hwa Chong Institution, NUS High, Raffles Institution, Temasek JC and Victoria JC, to deliver talks on curriculum and admissions. These talks present opportunities for prospective students, parents and teachers to interact with LKCMedicine faculty, staff and students to better understand the School’s offerings. On top of the school talks, the LKCMedicine outreach team also participated in career and education fairs at various schools. The School’s booth drew strong crowds at the fairs, with many students eager to learn more about the MBBS programme and admissions process. Feedback from prospective students showed that such school talks are the most valuable in getting to know this young and dynamic medical school.
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LKCMEDICINE WELCOMES THE FIRST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN SPORTS MEDICINE COHORT
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KCMedicine has launched a brand-new Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine (GDSM), the first of its kind in Singapore and Asia. A collaboration between LKCMedicine and Changi General Hospital’s (CGH) Sports Medicine Centre, the part-time one-year programme that started on 31 July, 2018 is set to broaden treatment of musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries in a population which is not only ageing but also staying active for longer. With a focus on sports medicine and therapy, students will learn how exercise affects people of different age groups and occupations, including children, pregnant athletes, military personnel and also the elderly. Besides injury management and prevention, the programme is tailored to primary care doctors and specialists looking to enhance their knowledge in sports nutrition, biomechanics and physiology. Students will also be educated to manage exercise prescriptions for the elderly and patients with chronic illnesses, such as cardiorespiratory conditions, diabetes and hypertension. Attracting many local and international medical practitioners and clinicians, the course was oversubscribed for its inaugural cohort capacity of 20 students. Medical practitioners with expertise in a wide array of health areas have been accepted into the programme. Among those joining the first cohort is Dr Jong Sze Chin, a senior resident in rehabilitation medicine. Dr Jong chose to pursue GDSM because she believes the programme will enhance her clinical and medical knowledge, in order to better manage the sports injuries of Paralympic swimmers. Leveraging on CGH’s expertise in sports medicine, the course is conducted at LKCMedicine’s Clinical Sciences Building. Leading the graduate diploma is Programme Director, LKCMedicine Associate Professor Fabian Lim, Assistant
1. Associate Prof Fabian Lim (third from right, front row) with the first GDSM class 2. A/Prof Fabian Lim welcomed the class and introduced the programme
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Dean for Research and Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, and Course Director (Clinical), CGH Adjunct Associate Professor Roger Tian, a senior consultant of Sports Medicine.
coronary heart disease and diabetes. The skills imparted will enable doctors to use exercise as a tool in the battle against these diseases with confidence,” Assoc Prof Tian added.
Assoc Prof Fabian Lim believes the programme will benefit more than just the students. In fact, its benefits will extend to the patients whom they care for. “Sports medicine is important not just for treating injuries in athletes, but also in the prevention and management of age-related chronic diseases and the elderly who are prone to musculoskeletal injuries,” he said.
Given Singapore’s ageing population, musculoskeletal injuries are set to rise, and demand for expertise in sports medicine will surely increase as well. The timely launch of the graduate diploma will train general practitioners and family medicine physicians so that they can provide more targeted care to patients in the heartlands. Assoc Prof Lim said, “The GDSM equips general practitioners and family medicine physicians with knowledge and skills to care better for their patients, and puts Singapore in the global exercise medicine initiative to transform healthcare,” he said.
“Furthermore, there is increasing evidence regarding the role of physical activity in the prevention and management of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension,
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The LKCMedicine
FIGHTING FLU WITH EDUCATION
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’m not travelling overseas” was one of the common reasons elderly people cited when asked why they don’t take the influenza vaccine, according to a recent survey conducted by LKCMedicine Class of 2021 Teo Liang Ming. Yet those aged 65 and above account for the most influenza-related hospitalisations. Liang Ming undertook this qualitative clinical study of elderly people’s perspective on the influenza vaccine for his 11-month-long NTU Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) project. Among the 15 over65s whom he interviewed in Geylang Polyclinic, he found that six had never taken the influenza vaccine, three had taken it before but had lapsed, and six had been taking the vaccine regularly. Despite programmes that have reduced the cost of vaccines and increased access, uptake in this group remains low, said Liang Ming, who was supervised by LKCMedicine Professor of Family Medicine & Primary Care Helen Smith. The 2013 National Health Surveillance Survey showed that only 15.2 per cent of people aged 50 and older have taken the influenza vaccine. “This misconception about travel is a double-edged sword. It makes people take up the vaccine when they travel, but at the same time, if they don’t travel, they don’t want to take it,” said Liang Ming. This duality is reflected widely across responses with 13 out of 15 respondents offering mixed reasons when sharing their decision-making process. This points to an untapped capacity for positive change. “If we target educational efforts to address specific barriers or misconceptions that the elderly currently have, we can likely improve vaccine uptake rates,” said Liang Ming. According to his data, the most influential people to deliver this educational message are healthcare professionals, as 11 of his respondents indicated that a prompt from a healthcare worker already had or would have persuaded
them to take the vaccine. This influence was even evident in those who refused the vaccine. “In five of the six refusers I interviewed, their trust in advice from healthcare professionals even outweighed their initial reservations about the vaccine,” said Liang Ming.
His study, which he presented at the 2018 Discover URECA Poster Competition held on 16 March, garnered him the most votes from his fellow URECA participants in the biomedical and medicine category.
Page 20 | RESEARCH
The LKCMedicine
ISSUE 37 | AUGUST 2018
LKCMEDICINE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES FIRST POPULATION HEALTH STUDY AS SUITE OF NEW LABORATORIES IS UNVEILED
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n a push to help Singaporeans lead healthier lives, LKCMedicine has embarked on Singapore’s largest population study. Called Health for Life in Singapore (HELIOS), the study aims to recruit as many as 200,000 citizens and permanent residents to better understand, predict and treat common chronic diseases affecting Singapore’s ageing population. HELIOS is the most comprehensive population study to focus on ethnic Asians living in Singapore as similar landmark studies in the US, UK and Germany focused primarily on populations of European ancestry living in Western countries. This leaves out some 60 per cent of the world’s population, whose health and disease are determined by a different combination of factors. LKCMedicine Dean Professor James Best said, “Together with our partners, the National Healthcare Group (NHG), we are investing in improving the health of Singaporeans. HELIOS is our flagship contribution to the national effort in precision medicine.” In addition to NHG, LKCMedicine will work in close partnership with leading healthcare organisations, the other medical schools and universities in Singapore, as well as international experts to deliver this vision. To deliver precision medicine, HELIOS lead investigator LKCMedicine Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology John Chambers explained that we need to be able to identify those people in the population at high risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular diseases or diabetes. “Thirty per cent of people in Singapore will die of heart disease, and this is simply unacceptable. Our vision is to put together a population health study that identifies the factors that drive disease, to better identify people for preventative measures, so they can maintain health for the future.”
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To reach out to all segments of the population, the HELIOS team has embarked on an extensive communityoutreach programme. The team partners employers including DBS and Singtel, and community and religious organisations such as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore or MUIS and Singapore Indian Development Association. They have also set up a network of community champions to help drive recruitment. To date, more than 800 people aged between 30 and 84 have volunteered to take part in the HELIOS study, which started last year. By the end of 2019, the HELIOS team hopes to have recruited 10,000 participants. Participants undergo a detailed health screening, and are followed up over years, even decades, to find out how their health changes. The comprehensive health assessment conducted at baseline includes routine items such as questionnaires about
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lifestyle, diet and exercise as well as molecular tests and scans such as 3D ultrasound imaging to capture “more profound things such as their genetic patterns, metabolic and gene expression profiles, and structure and function of organs,” said Prof Chambers, who hopes that long-term follow-up can be completed via direct contact with participants and by tapping into the National Electronic Health Records system.
ISSUE 37 | AUGUST 2018
RESEARCH | Page 21
The LKCMedicine
1. Senior Minister of State for Health, and Environment & Water Resources Dr Amy Khor officially opened the LKCMedicine Population and Community Health Laboratories. 2. As part of the comprehensive health screening, this participant undergoes and ECG 3. An ophthalmologist screens this participant’s eyes for signs of macular degeneration 4. A HELIOS nurse assesses this participant’s skil health as part of the comprehensive health screening
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and the work of the teams within aims to advance efforts in the prevention and treatment of Singapore’s unique disease burden to enable Singaporeans to lead healthier lives.” This burden is expected to rise sharply as the number of seniors aged 65 years and above will double to 900,000 by 2030. This creates an urgent need, Dr Khor said in her opening address “to move beyond just providing care for those with disease to improving the health of the entire Singapore population. We must focus on wellness, chronic disease prevention as well as education and empowering individuals to take better care of themselves.” She added, “I believe that the new laboratories will be able to contribute substantially in this area of population health management and help us transform our model of care.”
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New labs a healthy shot in the arm The HELIOS study is among the first studies conducted in the School’s Population and Community Health Laboratories, which were officially opened by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State at the Ministries of Health and the Environment & Water Resources, on 18 June.
At the event held in the Flexi-Space of the Clinical Sciences Building, LKCMedicine Governing Board Chairman Mr Lim Chuan Poh outlined the vision behind these multidisciplinary laboratories. He said, “We are officially unveiling LKCMedicine Population and Community Health Laboratories, a suite of new research centres and laboratories on the 18th floor of this building. Each lab is led by a world-class principal investigator,
The Population Health and Community Laboratories consist of: - The Clinical Research Centre, which hosts the HELIOS study - The Exercise Medicine & Physiology Laboratory, helmed by Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology Fabian Lim - The joint NHG Polyclinics and LKCMedicine Centre for Primary Health Care Research & Innovation, co-directed by Professor of Family Medicine & Primary Care Helen Smith and NHGP CEO Associate Professor Chong Phui Nah - The Centre for Population Health Sciences, headed by Associate Professor Josip Car as Director
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The LKCMedicine
ISSUE 37 | AUGUST 2018
LKCMEDICINE PROFESSOR WINS MOE TIER 3 GRANT TO LEAD DEMENTIA RESEARCH
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he time is right, says Professor of Neuroscience and Mental Health George Augustine, to embark on the research into dementia that’s been top of his priority list for the past two to three years. But it’s been on his mind far longer than that, for the last decade at least. Now with an MOE Tier 3 Type B five-year grant of $19, 441, 800 and technology aligned, Prof Augustine can finally launch his full-blown research plan. NTU is disbursing five PhD Research Scholarships and five PostDoctoral Scholarships on this platform.
Neher-Bert Sakmann 1991 Nobel Prizewinning team at Max Planck Institute that discovered the function of single ion channels in the brain. He rose through the ranks at Duke to gain the GB Geller Professor of Neurobiology chair, where he switched from using squid to mice as study subjects, and moved on from single cell research to whole brain circuits. When Duke-NUS was set up in 2005, he took the opportunity to charge ahead with developing optogenetic technologies while monthly commuting between the two schools for two years.
A pioneer member of the LKCMedicine faculty, Prof Augustine will bring his previous research experience to bear on this project. He studied the synapses of frogs and horse-shoe crabs as a graduate student at the University of Maryland, and squid giant neurons while holding a postdoctoral position at UCLA. He moved on to studying the calcium channels in squid at USC and followed on by joining the Erwin
“The Singapore government has prioritised dementia research, so there’s a national imperative to figure out how we can help with the dementia epidemic that’s about to hit Singapore,” said Prof Augustine. “The incidence of dementia is expected to quadruple by 2050, which is related to the ageing population.” Of equal, if not more importance, is the scientific reason for going into dementia research now. “The key breakthrough is the development of optogenetics: to use light to interrogate the function of specific kinds of neurons in the brain,” said Prof Augustine.
Human genetics studies also come into play as they have shown that there are certain genetic mutations that are associated with dementia. While dementia is a broad category of symptoms ranging from memory loss, declining reasoning, and personality change, the most common form being Alzheimer’s, Prof Augustine’s research will be delving into what goes wrong with the circuitry of the brain in dementia. “We’ve selected three parts of the brain to study – the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus and the cerebellum – using five mice models: Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, Down’s syndrome, Huntington, and possibly stress-related dementia. That’s already a pretty big job for the next five years,” he elaborated. Prof Augustine also has another objective in mind. He hopes this research can serve as a mechanism for connecting the neuroscience community of Singapore for more “scientific firepower”, Prof Augustine said, as the majority of investigators are outside of LKCMedicine. “There are very good neuroscientists in Singapore but we’re dispersed. Now we can get them to work together towards a common objective,” he added. Prof Augustine’s three goals are to identify the circuit defects in the three parts of the brain, determine which are the ones causing dementia and ultimately, what causes the defects. “The third goal is the most ambitious and open-ended, but that’s the most important one when we look into the future beyond our five-year scope, to start fixing dementia,” he said.
ISSUE 37 | AUGUST 2018
CURRICULUM | Page 23
The LKCMedicine
REVIEW OF LKCMEDICINE CURRICULUM KICKS OFF By Dr Anshuni Kaneria, Clinical Education Fellow, Imperial
T
he initial phase of the Curriculum Review and Renewal of the Years 1 and 2 curriculum at LKCMedicine is drawing to a close. The teams in Singapore and London have now reviewed all the learning activities and materials undertaken by our students during these years. Our original cohort of students have completed their studies and are demonstrating their newly acquired skills and acumen on the wards as Postgraduate Year 1 doctors; it’s an ideal opportunity to take stock of what is being delivered to our current students and ensure the curriculum remains robust as the student intake increases. Once again, we have demonstrated the strength of collaboration by working jointly on the curriculum review process in both London and Singapore. By utilising academic reasoning, drawing upon literature and the experiences of other institutions, including the current curriculum review being undertaken at Imperial’s Medical School, a bespoke method has been created to ensure
thorough, uniform and fair assessment of what is undertaken in Years 1 and 2. All the blocks have been subjected to the same rigorous review process. This applied equally to the system blocks which provide the students with a grounding in normal body function, bioscience and key disease pathology, as well as the important vertical themes which span across every field of medicine such as communications, practical skills, professional values, medical ethics and law, humanities, pharmacology, public health and statistics. As well as looking through all the learning materials, a close inspection has been given to the learning outcomes. These are the foundation stones of the curriculum; not only do they guide the student on what is expected of them by the end of the activity, block, and year but they also form the basis of assessment. Ensuring these are written in an optimum manner in keeping with accepted educational values and align
with key stakeholders in both Singapore and internationally, we can be assured that our students at LKCMedicine are receiving a transparent, achievable and diverse medical education. The London Office will be demonstrating our methodology on this in more detail at the upcoming Transform MedEd conference (9-10 November, 2018). As the only people able to fully experience the curriculum, our students’ voice is vital when evaluating Years 1 and 2. Their thoughts and feedback have been gathered as the year transpired and have formed a key part of the review process. The input from students will form part of their legacy, ensuring the ongoing high quality at LKCMedicine is passed on to future generations. Thank you to all those involved with the process so far. Their hard work is greatly appreciated. We aim to finish the review phase by early September 2018, following which the renewal phase will begin in earnest.
UPCOMING EVENTS Event
Date
Time
Venue
LKCMedicine Research Guest Lecture by Dr Wong Siu Ling on “Neutrophil Extracellular Traps [NETs]: The Miniature “Nuclear” Bombs in Inflammatory Diseases”
17 Aug
2.30pm – 3.30pm
Level 7, Seminar Room 7-1, Clinical Sciences Building, Novena Campus
Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress 2018
25 Oct – 27 Oct
Various timings
MAX Atria@Singapore Expo
Transform MedEd 2018 Conference
9 Nov – 10 Nov
Various timings
Level 4, Auditorium, Clinical Sciences Building, Novena Campus
For the latest details and more events, go to www.lkcmedicine.ntu.edu.sg
Page 24 | IMPERIAL CONNECTION
The LKCMedicine
ISSUE 37 | AUGUST 2018
IMPERIAL: DID YOU KNOW? by Mike Barrett, Head of Learning Resources, Imperial College School of Medicine; and Senior Lecturer, Department of Medicine
• Invisibility Cloak – You saw cloaking devices in the movies such as Star Trek and Harry Potter, but in 2006 Professor Sir John Pendry FRS, Chair in Theoretical Solid State Physics, came up with the idea of how to bend light around an object which effectively makes the object invisible. • Royal School of Mines – In the 2014 film Kingsman: The Secret Service, Harry Hart (Colin Firth) confronts Professor James Arnold (Mark Hamill) at Imperial, which results in an explosion in the Royal School of Mines. The building also appears in The Ipcress File (1965), featuring Michael Caine. • The Queen’s Tower (right) – Built in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, it was originally devised as a central feature of the Imperial Institute which was later taken up by the University of London. Functionally it housed the Institute’s water tank, and a belfry with 10 bells – rung for special occasions. Tours are by appointment only. • Fleming Discovered Penicillin (bottom) – This momentous discovery that took place at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in 1928 is commemorated by a wall plaque, and this original laboratory in the hospital wing is kept as a museum. A few years later, he discovered lysozyme.
• Imperial Fringe – Fun for the public with some unexpected sides of science occur at this free evening of discovery. Our scientists and their groundbreaking research take a break from the lab for a night of hands-on demos, crafty workshops, interactive experiments and inspiring talks for all ages to enjoy. • ICSM RAG (Raising and Giving) (top left) - Students undertake a huge range of extracurricular activities and the most fun for the most people being the ICSM RAG, which annually raises lots of money for charitable causes. • The School of Medicine Faculty Education Office FEO Cookbook Office staff and faculty members contributed recipes and we all have fun trying to follow them! In my case, the outcome is never like the photograph in the book. Sale proceeds of the book go towards the Days for Girls charity, specifically to provide sustainable female hygiene kits for distribution in Nepal. Acknowledgements – Mala Mawkin (ICSM Student Blogger), Alex Compton & Rhys Smith (previous and current ICSM Student Union Sabbatical Presidents), Roxana Hughes (Collaborative Partnerships Administrator, School of Medicine) and Anne Barrett (College Archivist)