AHA magazine 2017 Issue 2

ISSUE

TWO 2017

A L E X A N D R A H E A LT H I N A CT I O N

Our latest news & expert views

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST

MCI (P) 193/03/2017

THE BENEFITS OF PALLIATIVE CARE AND ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

I FIND JOY EVERY DAY P4 I BRINGING HEALTH CHECKS CLOSER TO YOU P11 I WHAT MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS DO P12 I PREVIEW OF WOODLANDS HEALTH CAMPUS P14

PUBLISHER

CONTENTS

6

ISSUE TWO 2017

Alexandra Health System (AHS) offers multidisciplinary and holistic care for the patient’s total well-being. Established on 1 April 2008, AHS is a healthcare cluster in the north of Singapore that currently manages Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Community Hospital.

As part of an integrated healthcare system to serve the community in the region, AHS will build and oversee the Admiralty Medical Centre, Sembawang Primary Care Centre and the Woodlands Integrated Health Campus. These will be ready progressively from 2017 to 2022.

EDITORIAL TEAM Caroline Lim Margaret Perry Sabrina Ng

COVER

www.ktph.com.sg

LIVING A GOOD LIFE

90 Yishun Central Singapore 768828

Palliative care and advance care planning ensures a meaningful life and peace of mind

Tel: (65) 6555 8000 Email: enquiry@alexandrahealth.com.sg

PUBLISHING AGENT

REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR

3

HEALTH BUZZ Latest wellness tips

11

NEWS & NOTES Happenings at AHS

Lee Walsh

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Lexi Lazenby

EXECUTIVE CONTENT DIRECTOR

Rod Mackenzie

CONTENT DIRECTOR

Ming Rodrigues EDITOR

Joyce Ong Y.T. SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Ginny Gay

PROJECT MANAGER

Doreen Lau Email:

yourcontent@publicitas.com

4

WELLNESS How to be happy

11

EAT WELL Sayur Assam Soup

14

INSPIRE Meet our Medical Social Workers

AHa is the official bi-monthly publication of AHS (Co. Reg. No. 200717564H) and is produced

by NewBase Content (Co. Reg. No. 200715901E).

All rights to this publication are reserved and no part may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publishers.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this newsletter is accurate and up to date, the editorial team will not be responsible for errors due to information received.

Opinions expressed are that of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the publishers. Printed by KHL Printing Co. MCI (P) 193/03/2017

3 HEALTH BUZZ

TRENDS, TIPS AND IDEAS TO INSPIRE A BETTER YOU Losing focus at work and feeling exhausted by the end of the day? Go for a 15-minute walk at lunchtime – ideally somewhere with greenery.

You’ll feel less stressed or tired the rest of the day because your mind and body have had time to unwind and relax.

Debating Diet Drinks

Are diet soft drinks made with artificial sweeteners bad for your health? A Boston University study found that having one diet drink every day may lead to greater risk of stroke and dementia, but more research is needed to find out if there’s a direct link. While diet drinks have less sugar and fewer calories than full-sugar soft drinks, water is still the best and healthiest choice. To effectively reduce your risk of stroke, give up smoking and keep your blood pressure under control.

CLEAN HANDS, HEALTHY YOU>

It’s important to wash your hands regularly throughout the day to limit the amount of bad germs on them and prevent illness. All you need is water, regular soap (liquid or bar) and 20-30 seconds of your time.

How to clean thoroughly: Rub your hands together to scrub off grease and dirt from your palms, the back of your hands and fingers, between fingers, under your nails and around the wrists.

Beat anxiety

You are not in real physical danger, but your heart beats too fast, you tremble uncontrollably and it feels like you will collapse any moment. A panic attack is a terrifying experience. It can happen with no warning and last for more than 10 minutes.

A quick, effective way to relieve intense anxiety: count to five as you take a deep, slow breath into your abdomen, then exhale slowly, again counting to five.

Also, try massaging your temples gently to calm yourself down.

4 WELLNESS

There is no prescription to attain happiness, simply because everyone is unique. People get pleasant feelings, engagement and meaning from different experiences. By understanding the various levels of happiness, you can do more to help yourself find doses of joy in your daily life

SECRETS TO

BY DR LIN HONG-HUI, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE, KTPH

HAPPI

5 WELLNESS

HAPPINESS METER:

1

Find simple pleasures

At the first and most basic level, you would experience momentto-moment pleasant feelings that are created by little things, events or activities in your daily life such as when you hear a joke, do something relaxing, or get a nice compliment. Such pleasant feelings are temporary, but there’s nothing wrong in simply enjoying them while they last.

Do this: Actively create pleasant experiences in your daily life to help lift your mood and keep you interested in the world around you. For example, treat yourself to your favourite food or a massage and make time to rest.

HAPPINESS METER:

2

Get engaged

When engaged mindfully and deeply in an activity or experience, you tend to experience a deeper level of happiness. Have you ever been so engrossed in something that you lose track of time and what is happening around you?

Such deep engagement generates a ‘flow’ that gives you more sustained feelings of satisfaction and happiness.

Do this: Create ‘flow’ experiences for yourself by cultivating a hobby or finding moderately challenging activities where you can tap into your skills or interest, such as playing a musical instrument, reading, exercising or meditating.

HAPPINESS METER:

3

Live meaningfully

The deepest level of happiness typically comes from looking past our immediate desires and striving towards things that give us meaning and purpose in life.

Researchers have found that this type of happiness is more likely to last.

Do this: Care for the people around you, make sure your actions are in line with what you say and believe, connect with your faith, and pursue knowledge.

These will help you live a valued and purposeful life.

Try asking yourself this: What are the things, people or experiences that create the three different levels of happiness for you? Your answer to this question will give clues to your path to experiencing true joy.

Find More Inspiration To get more ideas on how to create happiness in your life, there are monthly Relaxation Therapy workshops you can join – find out more by calling 6555 8828.

INESS

6 FEATURE

7 FEATURE

LIVING A

GOOD LIFE PALLIATIVE CARE AIMS TO HELP PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED ILLNESS HAVE A GOOD LIFE TO THE VERY END

BY JOYCE ONG Y.T.

I

f you find out you have an incurable illness, what will be your desired end? Would you prefer to spend your last days at home or in a hospital?

What are the decisions you would want your loved ones to make on your behalf?

These are questions few people are comfortable thinking about, much less discuss. But for the multidisciplinary palliative care team at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and Yishun Community Hospital (YCH) (turn to p10 for an overview), these are important questions they need to raise with some patients and their families in a compassionate and empathetic way.

Comprising doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and volunteers, the palliative care team looks after patients with advanced illnesses such as cancer, lung failure and advanced stroke. Besides relieving pain and other symptoms, the team also develops holistic care plans that address each patient’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs, as well as provides support for the family.

When patients are newly diagnosed with an incurable illness, for example, it can be very stressful and emotional. “Helping patients and their family members come to terms with the diagnosis, while dealing with their hopes and expectations realistically is what palliative care can offer,” explains Dr Ramaswamy Akhileswaran, a consultant in the Department of Geriatric Medicine at KTPH and a member of the palliative care team.

Not giving up

To ensure the best possible quality of life, patients are consulted on all their concerns. This includes finding out their priorities and goals, where they want to live their remaining days, whether they have any unfulfilled wishes, and where they would like to spend their final moments.

Often, however, patients and families are not fully aware of how end-of-life care can help them. “Many people think palliative care is all about death and dying. They think that nothing more can be done once a patient is referred to us, so they are resistant or reluctant to accept it,” says Dr Akhileswaran. “On the contrary, palliative care is all about living and living well for as long as possible.”

Research in the US shows that there are benefits to end-of-life care. It can help patients and caregivers cope better with the condition, lower anxiety and depression, and allow patients to live with dignity.

For those in the late stages of illness, palliative care can greatly ease physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering.

In 2016, a palliative care ward was opened in YCH, offering patients a dedicated area to receive specialised multidisciplinary palliative care that optimises their functioning and quality of life. Over at KTPH, 10 rooms have been set aside for patients and their families to say farewell in private in the final days.

One of the rooms has even been used to hold a simple wedding for the daughter of a patient to fulfil the

8 FEATURE

“Many people think palliative care is all about death and dy­ing.

They think that nothing more can be done once a patient is referred to us... On the cont­rary, palliative care is all about living and living well for as long as possibl­e.”

latter’s last wish of seeing her child married.

“Something can always be done for the patients to keep them comfortable till the end or help them recover, if that is possible,” Dr Akhileswaran says.

An ongoing challenge for Dr Akhileswaran and his team, however, is having to “expect the unexpected”, especially when patients pass away earlier than anticipated. “It’s less daunting when we manage the challenges as a team,” he says. “Regular breaks and holidays from time to time are also important for recharging oneself and preventing burn-out.

How can you give anything to anyone if you are empty within?”

Greater awareness

Currently, the government is working on enhancing and expanding the palliative care infrastructure in Singapore, with plans to increase the number of inpatient beds and provide more home-based care and day hospice services.

It is equally important to improve understanding of palliative care and its advantages. One way is to spread the word about the different services available for endof-life care, such as consultative and inpatient services in hospitals, and home hospice, day hospice and inpatient hospice services in the community. “Most of our patients and their families are quite accepting of palliative care when they realise the positive difference it can make to their lives,” says Dr Akhileswaran.

AGEING AND DYING WITH DIGNITY W

hen he learnt that he had only six months to live, Ong Tian Chiang took the news stoically. The 85-year-old reasoned he had already been given many “bonus” years, as he had had a heart bypass 15 years ago. “He felt that he was very fortunate – that he had lived a good life,” his son James, 52, recalled.

It was at this point that medical social workers at KTPH stepped in to support the family and the senior Ong in organising his end-of-life care such as getting funding for assisted care devices.

They also tactfully brought up the idea of Advance Care Planning (ACP).

“My father resisted it at first, because he didn’t really understand what it meant, but after the process was explained, he saw the logic of it and was very open to the idea,” said James.

The senior Ong viewed it as a way to make his wishes known, avoid any conflict among his family, and help his children and grandchildren move on peaceably after his death. “He even chose his own biodegradable urn,” shared James.

Having the care plan in place also reassured the family that they would be able to fulfil their loved one’s last wishes. They took new family portraits and went on a family cruise before he passed away in May 2016. “I’m inspired by the way my father planned his last days,” said James, who has since done his own ACP, as has his mother. “When someone is at the end of his or her life, there’ll be many viewpoints and unknowns. By doing ACP, my father prepared his family so we could focus on celebrating his life.”

9 FEATURE

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING

Why it’s important and where to start

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

James Ong and his mother looking at an album of photos taken before his father’s passing

“Y

ou can never be sure when your health status will change. An advance care plan is a gift to your loved ones as it gives them the confidence to make end-of-life decisions on your behalf,” says Joanne Selva Retnam, an advance care planning (ACP) facilitator at KTPH. Joanne guides people in planning for their healthcare in case a medical emergency happens and they are unable to tell doctors or their loved ones how they want to be treated.

WHAT IS ACP?

Everyone – no matter age or state of health – can and should do ACP. It is a communication process that involves discussions between you and a trained

“An advance care plan is a gift to your loved ones as it gives them the confidence to make end-of-life decisions on your behalf.”

ACP facilitator, as well as the person you nominate to make decisions on your behalf when you cannot do so. These discussions will be written down and used to guide the medical team on how and where to care for you if you become seriously ill. Once you are ready to discuss your ACP, do it as soon as possible.

If you have a health problem such as diabetes, talk to your doctor about the complications that can set in, the treatment options, and the prognosis.

Think about these questions: what gives your life meaning and helps you to live well? Also, how would you like to be cared for towards the end of your life?

Share with your loved ones your care preferences – for example, if you want to be looked after at home instead of in hospital – and the reasons for your choices to help them better understand your decisions.

Use an ACP workbook to write down your care preferences. The Living Matters website (see below) offers an online workbook, which asks you to consider things such as how important it is to be able to take care of yourself.

If you prefer more personal help, call the KTPH main line at 6555 8000 to speak to an ACP facilitator, or book an appointment to meet with an ACP facilitator together with your loved ones. Anyone can use this service, no matter where you live in Singapore or whether you are a citizen or PR. Review your ACP every time there is a change in your health condition or life experiences.

Did You Know?

ACP:

• Not legally binding • A doctor doesn’t need to be present during the discussions • You can update your care preferences anytime • You and your nominated spokesperson should each keep a copy of your plan

ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE (AMD):

• A document signed in advance to state that you refuse any life-sustaining treatment to prolong life when you are terminally ill, unconscious and where death is imminent • Legally binding • Must be made with two witnesses present – one of them must be a doctor • The document is kept with the Ministry of Health

LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA)

• Appointment of a donee(s) to make decisions about financial and welfare issues for you if you lose the mental capacity to do so • Legally binding • You have to complete a form and get a LPA Certificate Issuer to sign it • The signed form is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian

Useful websites • livingmatters.sg • ktph.com.sg/advancecare-planning • lifebeforedeath.com

10 FEATURE

A TEAM APPROACH

At various points of the care journey, patients receiving palliative care and their families may encounter different groups of healthcare professionals.

Each plays a different role, but all work hand in hand to ensure patients’ comfort and well-being as they and their families live with illness

DOCTOR

NURSE

RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Assesses patients’ condition

Assesses patients’ needs

RESPONSIBILITIES

Comes up with a care plan to control symptoms and keep patients comfortable

Monitors patients’ symptoms and comfort level

Assesses, formulates and reviews discharge care plan

Provides end-of-life care services and caregiver training

Provides grief and bereavement support to patients’ families

Works with Food Services to provide appropriate meals and snacks in the wards

Discusses Advance Care Planning

Refers and coordinates community support services

Assists with psychosocial support for patients and caregivers

Acts as expert resource on dietary concerns

Supports patients and families on end-of-life matters

Liaises with community services as part of patients’ discharge plans

DIETITIAN

PHARMACIST

RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

Offers practical nutritional care strategies and timely dietetic counselling

Assists in making medication management decisions

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

SPEECH THERAPIST

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ACP FACILITATOR

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

Helps patients and their families with emotional and mental health issues

Develops communication strategies to support patients in decisionmaking, maintaining family ties and achieving end-of-life goals

Provides rehabilitative interventions to optimise or maintain functional ability

Facilitates discussions with patients and their loved ones to help identify patients’ care goals and preferences for future medical care

Encourages patients to engage in meaningful activities such as gardening for better quality of life

Offers support and therapy on emotional expression, anticipatory grief, mourning and loss, traumatic stress and death anxiety

Optimises swallowing capabilities for patients with swallowing difficulties

Assists in managing respiratory symptoms and preventing musculoskeletal complications linked with prolonged bed rest

Assists in home modifications and prescription of assistive equipment as needed

Streamlines medication plans Provides medication information to patients, families and other members of the care team

VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES Offers a listening ear and does social activities with patients

11 EAT WELL

SAYUR ASSAM SOUP

PRODUCED BY KTPH NUTRITION & DIETETICS AND FOODSERVICES

Ingredients

Serves 4

60g Raw peanuts, skinless with no shells 2l Water 180g Corn on the cob, cut into 5cm lengths 60g Long beans, cut into matchstick length 5 Red chillies 3 Garlic cloves 3 Medium onions, roughly chopped 100g Tamarind

Method

1. Boil peanuts in 1.8l water for half an hour till soft.

2. A dd corn and cook for 15 minutes, then add long

beans and cook for another 15 minutes.

3. Blend chilli, garlic and onion into a paste and add to the soup.

4. I n a separate bowl, mix tamarind with the remaining 200ml of water. Squeeze out the juice by hand and add it to the soup.

5. Bring the soup to a boil and serve hot.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING) Energy 187 kcal Carbohydrate 19g Protein 8g

Fat 7g Saturated fat 1g Cholesterol 1mg

Dietary fibre 10g Sodium 54mg

NEWS & NOTES

MARKETPLACE HEALTH SCREENINGS IN AMK

BY SABRINA NG, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

A

lexandra Health System (AHS) brought health screening to the Ang Mo Kio community in March, setting up booths next to the wet market and hawker centre at Block 628 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 to make it more convenient for the public. For $2, more than 500 residents and stall owners had their cholesterol, blood glucose level, blood pressure and Body Mass Index tested. These are key indicators of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. The initiative was organised in collaboration with the National Healthcare Group and Yio Chu Kang Active Wellness Programme.

The AHS Population Health team is currently expanding their community health screening initiatives in central Singapore.

12 NEWS & NOTES

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY OF THE FUTURE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE UPCOMING WOODLANDS HEALTH CAMPUS

BY CLAIRE OOI, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

S

mart technology and the healing power of nature will come together to create a ‘future-ready’ health campus in the north of Singapore.

The new Woodlands Health Campus is set to open in progressive phases from 2022. Located along Woodlands Drive 17, the 1,800-bed facility will comprise an integrated acute care and community hospital, specialist outpatient clinics and a long-term care facility.

At the groundbreaking ceremony on 18 April 2017, Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong said this is the first time that acute and community care services have been conceptualised and built together. The campus will be part of an ecosystem with community

care providers such as general practitioners and voluntary welfare organisations. This will ensure patients are treated and rehabilitated effectively so they can return home to their loved ones.

The use of automation and technology across the campus will improve productivity, address manpower constraints and free staff from manual processes such as form-filling so they can focus on clinical and direct patient care.

The campus will also feature the first purpose-built parkland for patient healing, designed in conjunction with the National Parks Board.

“Woodlands Health Campus will be a major health hub where patients can experience enhanced

Main: Aerial view of the future Woodlands Health Campus. Inset: (first row, from left) National University of Singapore President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, AHS Chairman Ms Jennie Chua, Minister for Transport Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong, MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Mdm Halimah Yacob, MP for Sembawang GRC Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min, and Dr Jason Cheah view a model of the campus together

access to quality healthcare enabled with smart technology.

But more than that, we have designed it as a vibrant community hub where residents can engage in community activities within the

open spaces and enjoy the healing effects of the gardens and the surrounding parkland,” said Dr Jason Cheah, Chairman, Pro-Tem Planning Committee, Woodlands Health Campus.

13 NEWS & NOTES

RAISING AWARENESS OF COLORECTAL CANCER

A

team of colorectal surgeons, nurses and medical students from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) put their best feet forward to help raise awareness of colorectal cancer on 8 April 2017 by participating in the Singapore Cancer Society’s Colorectal Cancer Awareness Walk at Kallang Wave Mall. After the walk, they ran a carnival booth featuring fun games to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of the disease. Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in Singapore, affecting some 17 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women, but it is also one of the most treatable if caught early.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC AT KTPH

KEEPING SPIRITS HIGH With five children, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, Mdm Amnah Bte Ahmad led an active and busy life until a bad fall in November 2016. She underwent major surgery and spent a month recuperating at Yishun Community Hospital (YCH). However, the 80-year-old remained cheerful and even encouraged other YCH patients to participate in activities in the ward.

For her optimism and bravery in facing her injury, Mdm Amnah was one of 33 people honoured at the Singapore Health Inspirational Patient and Caregivers Awards ceremony held on 18 April 2017.

K

TPH is hosting a new weekly performer! Sixteen-year-old Chang Xun plays the piano at the Main Lobby after school most Mondays and Fridays. The student from Rainbow Centre – Yishun Park School began playing the piano when he was 12 years old and receives lessons from Beautiful Mind Music Academy. Chang Xun has autism and playing the piano has boosted his self-confidence. He enjoys performing in public, and the self-discipline required to learn and practise helps him self-regulate his emotions and behaviour.

Mdm Amnah receiving the Inspirational Patient Award from guest-of-honour Dr Lam Pin Min, Minister of State for Health, and SingHealth GCEO Professor Ivy Ng

14 INSPIRE

A HELPING

HAND

BY VICTOR YEO, MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKER, MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE, YCH

When you or your loved ones are facing a challenging time because of illness, medical social workers can help you pave a smoother path to recovery

F

or about 20 years, Mr Lee lived alone in his one-room rental flat. Even with dementia and being wheelchair-bound, he was able to look after himself and live independently.

Then in September 2016, he came down with an infection. He was first admitted to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) for treatment, before being transferred to Yishun Community Hospital (YCH) for physical rehabilitation.

Mr Lee’s condition improved steadily and he was eager to go home and get “back to normal” soon.

However, the medical team was concerned the 84-year-old bachelor would not be able to manage chores at home or go for medical appointments on his own.

Respecting the patient

The team tried to highlight their concerns to Mr Lee, but he did not want rehabilitation or home modifications, and he refused to accept support services such as home help or medical escort and transport.

“He wanted his autonomy to be respected. We had to be consultative instead of prescriptive or he would shut us out,” says Dorea Quek, a medical social worker (MSW) at YCH’s dementia ward and part of his care team. “He rejected anything that was unfamiliar to him.”

It was clear to her that Mr Lee had the capacity to decide on his care and needed to be included in discussions.

15 INSPIRE

WHAT AN MSW CAN DO FOR YOU Journeying together

Dorea spent weeks listening to and addressing the elderly man’s concerns. To help him face the reality of his weakened state, she and a YCH occupational therapist took him home so he could try doing some of his daily activities by himself. “That trip to his home was the turning point. It allowed Mr Lee to see that he could no longer do some of the things he used to be able to,” she notes.

She seized the opportunity to again discuss with Mr Lee the possibility of further rehabilitation at YCH. This time, he agreed and also accepted home help and community-based services for when he went home.

On 28 October 2016, Mr Lee was discharged and returned home with the necessary services in place. “My role is to understand a patient’s preferences and to uphold them as much as possible,” says Dorea. “I find satisfaction in finding an outcome that both respects the patient’s wishes, and upholds his or her safety.”

Planning the future

MSWs play an important role in many patients’ healthcare experience by supporting them and their families in planning for the future, especially after life-altering illnesses. They are allied health professionals who do much more than facilitating financial help They are your bridge to the right resources – After understanding a family’s specific needs, MSWs know how to arrange for the right mix of resources to support the family.

For example, they communicate with family service centres or other community partners to make sure patients can be properly cared for after being discharged.

They help solve issues and problems – Everyone’s circumstances are different, so MSWs constantly think out of the box to deal with challenges. Those who have never been hospitalised may be able to consult MSWs on an outpatient basis for referrals to community services, counselling for psycho-social issues, and assistance with medical bills.

Mr Lee has mostly returned to his usual routine at home and manages with the help of neighbours who buy his meals, as well as by having regular visits from community nurses and case workers.

They keep in touch with Dorea, who continues to work with Mr Lee. She knows his ability to take care of himself will decrease as his dementia progresses, and she has initiated discussions with him and his relatives on plans for his future care.

This includes the possibility of moving him to a nursing home should he be incapable of self-care.

For now, the elderly man still prefers the comfort of home. “No matter how bad, home is still home, (and) this is still my own bed,” he says.

TELLING THEIR STORIES

Mr Lee was one of three patients featured in an exhibition, Bedside Stories: Facets of Medical Social Work, organised

by MSWs from KTPH, YCH and the Ageing-In-Place Care Team in March 2017. The exhibition highlighted the different roles that MSWs perform in acute care, community hospital and home settings as they help patients to transit from hospital to home.

They are great listeners and patient advocates – Many patients face difficult struggles and challenges in daily life, which can be made worse by health issues. Some may feel lost and unsure about how to handle illness. MSWs support and encourage them and their families, help them cope, and become their advocates.

16

Continuing Medical 28 October 2017 Geriatrics – Falfor ls (rerun) Doctors Education Continuing Medical Education (CME) plays an important role in keeping medical professionals current with changes in medicine.

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital organises regular Continuing Medical Education Programmes to share the latest trends and practices.

Venue: Kaizen 1 or Auditorium, Tower B Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, 90 Yishun Central S768828 For more information, please call our GP Engagement Office at 6602 3016

Scheduled CMEs for 2017* Date (Sat, 1pm - 5pm)

Presenting Department

15 July 2017

Urology

22 July 2017

Cardiology

12 August 2017

Endocrinology

26 August 2017

Orthopaedic Surgery

9 September 2017

Renal

16 September 2017

Sports Medicine

23 September 2017

Breast

21 October 2017

General Medicine

28 October 2017

Geriatrics – Falls (rerun)

*Info correct at time of publishing.

For an updated listing, please visit https:/ www.ktph.com.sg/gpcme

*Info correct at time of publishing.

For an updated listing, please visit https://www.ktph.com.sg/gpcme