Music and Medicine: The Arts of Healing - Being Part of an - Singapore Medical Association
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
VO L . 5 3 N O . 6 | J U N E 2 0 2 1 | M C I ( P ) 078 / 1 2 / 2 0 2 0 Music and Medicine: The Arts of Healing Being Part of an Asian Fraternity
news CON T E N T S Vol. 53 No. 6 2021 Editorial EDITORIAL 04 The Editor’s Musings BOARD Dr Tina Tan Editor Dr Tina Tan Deputy Editor Feature Dr Chie Zhi Ying 05 Music and Medicine: Editorial Advisors The Arts of Healing A/Prof Daniel Fung Dr Joshua Hoe and Dr Stephanie Yeap A/Prof Cuthbert Teo Dr Toh Han Chong Members President's Forum Dr Ganesh Kudva 08 Continued Support Review Dr Lim Ing Haan 20 Healing Hearts, Touching Minds Dr Jipson Quah for Our Fighters Dr Tan Tze Lee Dr Tan Yia Swam Dr Suresh Nair Dr Jimmy Teo Dr Alex Wong Council News 22 Tucking into Food and Culture EX-OFFICIOS Dr Tina Tan Dr Tan Yia Swam 10 Highlights from the Dr Ng Chew Lip Honorary Secretary Dr Ng Chew Lip EDITORIAL Reflections OFFICE 23 Requiem for Ah Leng Senior Manager Insight A/Prof Cheong Pak Yean Sarah Lim 12 Medicine and the Law: Assistant Manager Telemedicine (Part 2) 24 Being Part of an Asian Fraternity Sylvia Thay Jansen Aw and Dr Alex Cheng Wei Ray Dr Jipson Quah Editorial Executive Daryl Lai Opinion 26 Awake at 2am ADVERTISING AND PARTNERSHIP 14 Two Years into Medical Dr Tan Su-Ming Li Li Loy School (Part 1) Tel: (65) 6540 9174 Faye Ng Yu Ci Allan Kuek 26 Visit from an Old Acquaintance Tel: (65) 6540 9175 Dr Tan Su-Ming Email: adv@sma.org.sg Letter PUBLISHER 18 A Time for Renewal Singapore Medical Association Chin Sue-Kay, Ryan Chen and Indulge 2985 Jalan Bukit Merah Ravanth Baskaran 27 Medi-Crosswords #02-2C, SMF Building Singapore 159457 Tel: (65) 6223 1264 Fax: (65) 6252 9693 28 The World of Dance Email: news@sma.org.sg Dr Deva Priya Appan and Dr Mary Yang URL: https://www.sma.org.sg UEN No.: S61SS0168E DESIGN AGENCY Oxygen Studio Designs Pte Ltd PRINTER Sun Rise Printing & Supplies Pte Ltd Opinions expressed in SMA News reflect the views of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the editorial board of SMA News or the Singapore Medical Association (SMA), unless this is clearly specified. SMA does not, and cannot, accept any responsibility for the veracity, accuracy or completeness of any statement, opinion or advice contained in the text or advertisements published in SMA News. Advertisements of products and services that appear in SMA News do not imply endorsement for the products and services by SMA. All material appearing in SMA News may not be reproduced on any platform including electronic or in print, or transmitted by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the Editor of SMA News. Requests for reproduction should be directed to the SMA News editorial office. Written permission must also be obtained before any part of SMA News is stored in any retrieval system of any nature.
editorial Dr Tina Tan Music and dance are not simply forms of creative expressions. For many, that heavy sense of deja vu still felt unnerving nonetheless. folks like me who can’t play a tune, I would draw your attention, we certainly appreciate them and especially, to SMA President’s Editor rely on them to soothe our souls, or column on voicing support for even to let our imagination soar. In healthcare workers. While Tan Dr Tan is a psychiatrist with the my practice, music especially has Tock Seng Hospital has thankfully Better Life Psychological Medicine many benefits in calming emotional reopened, healthcare workers Clinic, and a visiting consultant at distress as well as being an integral continue to bear the brunt of the Institute of Mental Health. She part of reminiscence therapy in having to manage COVID-19 is also an alumnus of Duke-NUS patients with cognitive impairment. patients, adhere to stringent Medical School. Between work and This issue, we are very pleased infectious disease controls at family life, she squeezes time out for to feature doctors whose talents lie work and worry about their her favourite pastimes – reading beyond the practice of medicine, families when at home. On a good (fiction) book and writing. and who have dedicated their time in top of that, our usual clinical the pursuit of their passion for music work carries on to a limited but and dance. definitely essential extent. At the risk of exposing my inner nerd, who here likes the theme In addition, Dr Jipson Quah It is traumatising to be on song of The Mandalorian? Don’t be kick-starts our humble attempt to the receiving end of stigma shy – I unabashedly declare that draw in more readers by introducing and ignorance, and that has I watch the show just to hear the SMA News’ first crossword puzzle. come in blatantly obvious song play during the end credits. For those who enjoy such activities forms from scooting away on Or have you ever swayed to the (especially since we can’t travel or an MRT train to, if I may say so, tune of Handel’s Minuet? Or blasted socialise much and have to stay underhanded comments on out that rock song to the great home more these days), please do social media disparaging some annoyance of your children? For the have a go and enjoy yourselves. of our colleagues. #umbrage record, that last example does not Our issue this month is truly I hope that our readers are apply to me. I just happen to blast meant to lighten the mood, which aware that SMA is working hard out other types of music besides comes amid Phase Two (Heightened for the profession, to represent our rock, thank you very much. Alert), and hopefully we are in the collective voices at the appropriate Despite being neither a musician midst of exiting that by the time of platforms and make a difference. nor dancer, I appreciate good music, publication. However, the situation This is the way. especially a musical piece that is remains fluid, or as one minister puts strongly tied to a memory or evokes it, “on a knife’s edge”. That message a powerful emotion. Have you ever truly sank in when home-based had that experience? Such is the learning was announced for our local power of music and dance. There’s schools yet again and people were something innate in all of us that has only allowed to socialise in groups of an appreciation for these art forms. two. We saw it coming, but I think for 04 JUN 2021 SMA News
Music and Medicine: FEATURE The Arts of Healing “Music can heal the wounds which medicine cannot touch.” – Debasish Mridha Many would agree with the saying that music heals the soul. Surely then, music would be a great partner in the practice of medicine and the art of healing. Here, two authors share their respective journeys of being both a medical doctor and an avid musician, and how one practice complements the other in their lives. Text and photos by Dr Joshua Hoe I have loved music for a long time. In my favourite Victorian romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth says to her beloved Mr Darcy in an impassioned speech at the climax of the novel: “I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” Imagine me saying the same thing, but about music. Perhaps you’ll see what I mean more clearly through a few indirect anecdotes. Some things are clearer by 1 illustration than telling. A musical epiphany are in an undesirable artifact caused I cannot tell you where that power by driving a tube amplifier too hard. By comes from, but it is there and almost I recently found out why I love the subtle applying too much gain the audio signal universally loved at that, so I know it’s not “break-up” distortion on an electric guitar is clipped, introducing harmonic and a peculiar taste of mine (like drinking Milo so much. inharmonic overtones, sustain and that without sugar). When you push the gain and tone oh-so-lovely face-melting warmness. knob into the right position and attack But really all those words don’t mean The nature of music the guitar strings just enough at the much when I hear that overdriven Let me give another example of a right moment, that distortion on a big guitar tone in my favourite song after a powerful experience I’ve had with music sweeping chord on a chorus can take you bad day at work, and it hits somewhere recently. I was innocently surfing YouTube places. That same distortion on a phrased inside at the crossroads between mind, (as one does), and came across a series of melody up the neck of the guitar can tell body and spirit (I think that localises videos that really helped me understand you exactly how beautiful life can be, or to the thorax region in Netter’s Atlas the harmonic series for the first time. I was perhaps how tragic love lost really is. of Human Anatomy). That dangerously floored when I realised that the twelve- And now, in the words of Monty gritty, warm and blooming sound tone equal temperament system that Python, for something completely makes me think of bittersweet pain, a we use almost universally in music, and different: that familiar “distortion” sound thunderstorm, frustration and catharsis the intervals between these notes, are is really a technical accident – its roots all at once. It’s lovely. found naturally occurring as a principle JUN 2021 SMA News 05
of physics in the harmonic series. (The Music and medicine Text and photos by harmonic series describes a series of Dr Stephanie Yeap When I get asked occasionally about overtones created after a fundamental how music relates to medicine, to my What is your favourite post-call activity? is played on a resonating instrument. I’ll career and to caring for patients – I get For some, it may be going home to take stop here as I can hear an army of much an odd anxious feeling that I have a lot a good nap, meeting friends for a meal, better trained musicians typing furiously and yet very little to say at the same or even catching a movie – things that to email the SMA News Editor about equal time. I really want to say “I love music” our long work days would preclude us temperament as they read this.) and proceed to elaborate on that in from enjoying regularly. For me, my The mind-bending upshot to all that a long-winded way that would make best post-call moments would be spent music-geekery is that music is fundamental Gandalf ask for a toilet break. singing at one of my favourite bars, to the reality we live in, and to life really. But really, I could not hope (or even under the starlit sky. I may even go so far as to say that attempt) to begin to summarise the My journey as a singer-songwriter when these mere oscillating waves of power and joy of music – but I hope that began when I was in junior college, sound travel through the air and slap your in those meandering paragraphs above, having been part of the school’s rock eardrums unceremoniously, and you can you begin to understand what I mean band co-curricular activity. Entering feel your spirit lift and soar during your when I say: “I really love music”. medical school, one of my biggest worries favourite song – that’s a hint of the divine I would defer to my many far more was not being able to play music as a and the mind of God right there. That’s life experienced colleagues on this, but working doctor, and hence with every and joy, really. (I hope that was enough insofar in my personal experience as a opportunity to perform, my mantra was payoff for having to read through that.) hospitalist in an acute medical speciality, “this could be my last chance”. I have seen a fair amount of suffering. The experience of music, I think, sits This mantra stayed with me through Death is always a sobering reminder squarely at a meeting point. The meeting the years, where I’d eagerly contribute to that life is unthinkably fragile and finite. between mind, body and spirit, between school events, or take part in the Medical Fatigue and weariness at the seeming the technical and sublime, between Society’s annual Open Mic, which led to randomness of illness and suffering are listener and musician, between one me taking big leaps in my music career always ready to set in. I do my best to person and a thousand, between hours of remind myself that the goal of medicine including joining the National Arts chair-warming practice and ten seconds is really to support life, the experience of Council’s prestigious Noise Singapore of spontaneous improvisation that scares life and the joy of living, and music has mentorship programme and taking part your pants off, between science and art. always unfailingly reminded me of that. in Sing! China auditions. This idea that There’s a pathway from motor cortex I had to seize every gig opportunity, or to spinal cord, alpha motor neuron, To indulge in some of Dr Hoe’s music risk regretting declining gig offers when I muscle fibres and to the movement of and recordings, visit began work fuelled me as I juggled both the vocal cords and fingers, but really, https://www.youtube.com/joshhoe music and medical school. where does the music come from? Where or follow him on Instagram What initially began as little stints does it go? What does it do when it leaves @hoestudios. on stage as a Year 1 student grew into the musician and causes an audience an exciting journey – including singing full of strangers to feel the same feeling Legend live on radio, playing for the President of at the exact same moment? Is there 1. Original illustration by Joshua and his wife Singapore and helming my own show on a rule for having too many questions 2. Joshua and his wife cover the song “Love is an the grand Esplanade waterfront stage. in a row in an essay? Who knows? Open Door”, available on his YouTube page Perhaps the greatest joy, however, was marrying my love for music with my work in medicine. This manifested in reaching out to others through music, as well as Dr Hoe is, at the age of 32, still trying to decide if he writing songs about my experiences. is really an arts or science stream student. He works Connections through music at Singapore General Hospital as a senior resident One of my most distinct memories was and makes music at home during my Year 4 psychiatry medicine almost compulsively after posting in the Institute of Mental work. He has just picked up Health. We’d been assigned to the A&E digital art and photography. Someday he could possibly where, as many of us know, patients 2 be skilled in at least one of with suicidal intent are often sent. I the above things. was to clerk a young man who’d just 06 JUN 2021 SMA News
come in – with a stoic face he revealed that he’d come from a strict family with 1 high expectations for his career. He eventually caved and broke down, sharing that he’d been contemplating taking his life because his father threatened to disown him if he pursued what he loved: music. As opposed to continuing the “nine-grid” history- taking template we’d been taught to Photo: Benghui Eu administer, I paused and explained, “Actually, I’m a musician too.” We then went on to discuss the struggles of being passionate about music, amid the pressures of more “traditional” priorities like good grades and a professional job. At the end, the patient appeared comforted and was encouraged to Legend it was heartening to know that my talk things out with his father. In that music connected to others’ personal 1. Steph launching her original music album at moment, it felt almost serendipitous. the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre (August 2020) experiences and further inspired their Of course, now as a working doctor expression of art. and especially with the cessation of What would be my biggest advice live music during COVID-19 times, my to peers or juniors who feel driven to Dr Yeap is a medical officer working nights playing gigs have dwindled. pursue a passion outside of medicine, in Singapore General Hospital, and Nonetheless, being a doctor has put me be it music, photography, crafts, gaming also a singer-songwriter in the local in a privileged position to encourage or even cooking? Sometimes the best music scene under the moniker others through music. One such thing we can do is to just take a deep “Stephycube”. With the release of opportunity was collaborating with her album Most Of All (2019), she was breath and make the plunge, reminding highlighted as one of “Singapore’s Creative Nation Singapore (a collective ourselves that “this could be my last Top Acts” on Spotify and on Apple by the National Youth Council) to curate chance”. Because if not now, then when? Music’s “The A-List: Singapore Music”. a Spotify playlist entitled “Stockpile When the pandemic gets better, and of Love”, which features songs to you’re heading to your favourite bar for encourage front-line workers and a drink after work, don’t be surprised COVID-19-stricken patients recovering if you see a bleary-eyed but smiley in the wards. singer providing background music for the evening. Just give a little smile and Reaching out over distances wave, for that could be me post-call! Writing original music has also allowed me to document my experiences in lyric and song, and connect with others. One amazing encounter I had was receiving an email from a listener in the US – she shared that her daughter, a competitive dancer, survived a harrowing bout of supraventricular tachycardia earlier that year. Having chanced upon “Emergency Room” on Spotify, an original song I wrote about my grandfather, she was inspired to use it as her contemporary solo piece, relating it to her own experiences in the emergency room. For one, it was incredible to realise that my music had reached somewhere so far away from home, but more importantly,
PRESIDENT'S FORUM Continued Support for our Fighters Illustration: Dr Justinian Zai Text by Dr Tan Yia Swam
Throughout the months of May and Those with family members working in I urge all our Members to exercise self- June, like me, many of you must have Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) who had care. Take a break from work and from followed the reports of local COVID-19 to endure “self-isolation” or even move worrying about COVID-19.3,4 outbreaks very closely. The tracking out into temporary accommodations This June issue carries some light- of the progression of cases depends to abide by the “Segregation Order” hearted articles on the arts. The arts on where you get your facts from, as would have felt the pain of having to be soothe the soul, whichever medium you the style of reporting may bias one to a broken family, even if temporarily. Yet may prefer – be it theatre, music, visual certain conclusions. there are doctors who mock this, calling arts and/or other genres. I personally After 16 months of battling COVID-19 it a “Government-paid staycation”. choose music to match my mood. in Singapore, some consistent social I have family and close friends If you are feeling very stressed, elements that impede our fight include: working in TTSH, and I can see that consider taking a half-hour or short 1. Lack of timely and accurate the relentless stress, continuous work break to get something to drink and put information (eg, the limitations and mounting fear is taking its toll. on your favourite music. Let your mind of testing). The fatigue and burnout experienced wander and not think of anything in by these doctors are real. But I am also particular. Live in the moment. 2. Inability to disseminate factual news relieved that there is some awareness fast and securely. of discrimination against healthcare 3. Proliferation of speculations. workers (HCWs), and that many are speaking up on this. These HCWs are References Varied comprehension on the front line and they make the 1. Barron D. Health Care Workers Don’t Want to Be most personal sacrifices. I have heard Heroes. Scientific American. Available at: https://bit. It seems that everyone interprets the some opine that, “This is what they ly/33WS3mI. severity of the COVID-19 pandemic 2. Bobak A. Medical Ethicist on the Problems with signed up for, they should know.” The based on what they know, and in truth Calling Healthcare Workers ‘Heroes’. Mad in America. narrative of “healthcare hero” might – no one has a complete picture. Some Available at: https://bit.ly/33YLL5U. need to be changed somewhat.1,2 While have gotten very relaxed, because they 3. Gov.sg. Tips for Battling Stress and Anxiety during it is a calling to be in healthcare, there have not known of anyone getting COVID-19. Available at: https://bit.ly/3fp04WO. should also be an understanding and COVID-19 within their social circles 4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coping appreciation that we too are humans and news of faraway places do not with Stress. Available at: https://bit.ly/3frSqeg. and this is a job, just like any other. affect them. Yet there are others who have lost loved ones to this virus and Social media is always a double- might be living in fear that they might edged sword – on the one hand Dr Tan is a mother to three kids, wife to lose more family members to this providing fast information and a surgeon; a daughter and a daughter- updates, and comic relief in the form of in-law. She trained as a general surgeon, pandemic. The majority of the people and entered private practice in mid- would perhaps have a situational memes, but also capable of spreading 2019, focusing on breast surgery. She reaction, depending on context. falsehoods fast and inviting much treasures her friends and wishes to casual and callous comments, maybe have more time for her diverse interests: Even within healthcare, I realised even deliberate cruelty. I hope that cooking, eating, music, drawing, that doctors practising in different writing, photography and comedy. my friends here will exercise your areas and/or subspecialties can have professionalism, empathy and basic very different perceptions as well. decency to be thoughtful and kind. The whole world is suffering together. Means to recharge I dare say everyone is battling some form of COVID-19 fatigue. People have lost lives and jobs to this. Everyone has lost their freedom to some extent. JUN 2021 SMA News 09
council news Report by Dr Ng Chew Lip SMA’s published survey on impact of COVID-19 To understand how our Members are doing during the Dr Ng is an ENT consultant in pandemic, SMA conducted a survey to evaluate the impact public service. After a day of of COVID-19 on doctors in the private sector, specifically on doctoring and cajoling his two income and practice patterns. princesses at home to finish their food, his idea of relaxation The majority of respondents, in both GP and specialist is watching a drama serial with groups, reported income loss and a decrease in patient his lovely wife and occasionally load, with a small percentage having to retrench staff or throwing some paint on a canvas. cut wages. The article, published in Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore, can be found at https://bit.ly/3bJhj47. WSH toolkit for healthcare workers Passing of CMAAO President Dr K K Aggarwal The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council has The SMA Council informs with regret the news of Dr K K developed the “WSH Orientation toolkit for Healthcare Aggarwal’s demise on 17 May 2021 in New Delhi, after a Workers”. The course aims to equip participants with lengthy battle with COVID-19. WSH knowledge, such as the WSH Act and its regulations, Dr Aggarwal was President of the Confederation common hazards at their workplaces, and control of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO) measures, so that they can protect themselves and from 2019 to 2021. SMA is a member of three regional/ prevent injuries and ill health. international bodies, namely the Medical Association of Adapted from the “Basic WSH Healthcare Online South East Asian Nations (MASEAN), CMAAO and the World Course”, the toolkit can be used by healthcare institutions Medical Association (WMA). to conduct orientation and training for their staff. The In his short tenure as President of CMAAO, Dr Aggarwal toolkit includes enhancements from the online course turned CMAAO into a vivid institution of organised such as: medicine with daily discussions, weekly – mostly • Updated content in alignment with recent educational – online meetings and friendly cross-border regulatory changes (Workplace Safety and Health exchange of facts and opinions. [Incident Reporting] Regulations 2020); SMA wishes to extend our deepest condolences to • New fire safety and response module; Dr Aggarwal’s family during this time of grief. • Facilitation tips for the slides; and • Enhanced comprehension questions at the end of Passing of Dr Yeo Khian Kiat each module. The toolkit was reviewed by the WSH Council The SMA Council informs with regret the news of SMA (Healthcare) Committee, which consists of stakeholders Life Member Dr Yeo Khian Kiat’s demise on 28 April 2021. in the healthcare industry, to ensure that the content is Dr Yeo was a GP at Drs Horne & Chin before he retired, accurate, relevant and useful to the healthcare community. and he has been an SMA Member since 1969. The WSH orientation toolkit can be downloaded from We wish to extend our deepest condolences to Dr Yeo’s https://bit.ly/3u8a1xg. family during this time of grief. 10 JUN 2021 SMA News
Mid-Year MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION JUL New membership applicants who sign up between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2021 will get to 01 enjoy half-year subscription fees and welcome gifts. SMA 4-in-1 Multi Pen Limited Edition SMACF Lightsaber Umbrella Rates Graduated in Year 2014 or before $107.00 Graduated in Year 2015 to 2017 $80.25 Graduated in Year 2018 to 2020 $53.50 Graduated in Year 2021 $26.75 Spouse Membership (Complimentary) N.A Overseas Membership $75.00 Student Membership (Complimentary) N.A All membership fees are in Singapore Dollars and inclusive of 7% GST (except for Overseas Membership) To sign up, please visit https://bit.ly/SMAapplication.
Medic in e and the Law INSIGHT TELEMEDICINE (PART 2) Text by Jansen Aw and Dr Alex Cheng Wei Ray This is the second article of a two-part series. In this, the authors delve deeper into the legal-technological aspects surrounding the use of telemedicine. Part 1 (https://bit.ly/5305-Insight) discusses issues where law and technology converge in the realm of telemedicine. Due diligence and One solution would be to implement to prevent unauthorised access to the authentication issues a two-factor authentication system, telemedicine application and patient where not only the patient’s iden- records and to prevent any identity It is not often that a doctor is faced tification document is verified, impersonation where possible. with considerations of due diligence to but the patient’s identity can be be carried out with regard to a patient. Additionally, there are verified using their mobile number. These belong more commonly to a confidentiality issues surrounding Additionally, as a government-wide corporate setting. Nevertheless, there telemedicine. Although the NTG initiative, it may make sense if Singpass is a need to carry out due diligence guidelines state that doctors should can be integrated into telemedicine and authentication of a patient in the not record the contents of the tele- apps during the initial registration context of telemedicine. Given the consultation to respect the sanctity of to automatically verify a patient’s remote environment in which the doctor-patient confidentiality, there identity, similar to how some banks doctor comes into contact with the is nothing stopping the patients from are getting information from the telemedicine user, it may be difficult doing the same thing on the other MyInfo platform to verify new account for a doctor to verify the identity of the end, which may make some doctors signups.1 Alternatively, an NRIC/FIN patient and the information provided, uncomfortable in providing care via verification platform can be created to and this may lead to a risk of abuse. tele-consultation. A proposed solution grant doctors the right to check if the For example, a user may provide in future, once the Healthcare Services identification number is genuine. This false information to a doctor over Act kicks in, is that tele-consultation will in turn prevent issues regarding the telemedicine platform in order to should only be conducted on phantom patients and any potential obtain a payout under an insurance approved applications with all these drug abuse cases. policy, and it may be difficult for the considerations taken into account. doctor to verify such information given that they are not in direct contact with IT security and confidentiality issues Data protection the patient. At the moment, tele-consultations are If telemedicine is the engine driving The current National Telemedicine the way forward in providing medical Guidelines (NTG) stipulates that a performed across various platforms. Some GPs and even polyclinics are services, then data (or more specifically, doctor should request for the patient’s conducting them through the use the patient’s data) is the fuel that photo identification with NRIC/FIN of video-conferencing software, powers this engine. It is through the number clearly shown on the video which may pose a security concern. collection and use of such patient data screen before the consultation to It would be wise for a telemedicine over remote means that the doctor verify their identity. However, a colour provider to have in place the proper is able to come up with the relevant photocopy of an edited identity infrastructure and IT security to ensure diagnosis, treatment and advice for the card will look exactly the same as that information transmitted between patient in telemedicine. a real one on screen, as the doctor will not be able to feel the texture the doctor and patient is secure from In this regard, it is critical that a of the card. Furthermore, since the intruders or hackers. doctor providing telemedicine services various telemedicine apps operate In line with the above, telemedicine be well versed in the requirements to on their own servers, there are also providers should also ensure that protect personal data of the patient no alternative avenues for a doctor to there are proper Identity and Access under the Personal Data Protection check if an NRIC/FIN is genuine. Management2 mechanisms in place Act (PDPA). These include ensuring 12 JUN 2021 SMA News
that the patient’s consent is obtained their medical condition. In our view, Jansen is a partner with the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice, and before collecting, using or disclosing the market for smart tele-monitoring Technology and Data Protection Practice his/her data; ensuring that there are devices with incorporated AI technology in one of the oldest law firms in Singapore, reasonable security arrangements to is set to grow. Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP. Jansen is protect such personal data; ensuring However, these come with an advocate and solicitor of the Supreme that the personal data of the patient Court of Singapore. challenges too. Deepfakes, which is accurate during collection; and refer to manipulated videos or other ensuring that the personal data of digital representations produced by the patient is not retained for an sophisticated AI that yield fabricated unreasonably long time.3 It should images and sounds that appear to be be noted that the PDPA will be real, may also pose a problem in the undergoing changes in the future, and arena of telemedicine.7 Doctors may a public consultation has recently been have problems verifying a patient’s carried out to seek comments on these identity, giving rise to phantom patients. proposed changes.4 It may even be exploited as a loophole by patients with ill intent to manipulate Dr Alex is a family physician who works The future of telemedicine the tele-consultation process. as a locum medical doctor during his free In a recent McKinsey survey, healthcare time. He is currently pursuing a Master of Recently, Singapore’s Infocomm Laws with the University of London. Aside leaders interviewed cited remote Media Development Authority and from his medical qualifications, he also monitoring as a key area for future Personal Data Protection Commission holds the degrees of Bachelor of Laws, investment and up to $250 billion (PDPC) produced the second Master of Professional Accounting and worth of current US healthcare edition of the Model AI Governance Master of Business Administration. He is spending could potentially be an incoming practice trainee lawyer at Framework (Model Framework) to Donaldson & Burkinshaw LLP. virtualised.5 If devices can be created regulate the use of AI technology.8 to replicate a doctor’s physical The Model Framework’s strength examination and provide accurate and unique contribution to the information to the attending physician global discourse on AI ethics lies in remotely, even telemedicine’s translating ethical principles into staunchest opponents may be practical recommendations that converted to embrace it. Some of organisations can readily adopt to these technologies already exist but deploy AI responsibly. The barrier to cost issues prohibit their widespread entry of AI adoption is hence lowered adoption in telemedicine. It may and users have the confidence just be a matter of time before such to implement AI to improve their References production costs are lowered, making processes. This framework is sui 1. GovTech Singapore. MyInfo. Available at: telemedicine more accessible to generis, which means that the https://bit.ly/35EnOhv. patients. For example, oDocs Eye Care framework can even be applied in 2. Gittlen S, Rosencrance L. What is identity and invented an add-on device that can the field of medicine. Therefore, access management? Guide to IAM. TechTarget turn any smartphone camera into using the PDPC’s Model Framework SearchSecurity [Internet]. Available at: https:// as the foundation, we hope that the bit.ly/3mrITqz. an ophthalmoscope, which can aid doctors in diagnosing eye conditions Ministry of Health comes up with 3. Personal Data Protection Act 2012. Available through tele-consultation.6 Electronic guidelines specifically for telemedicine, at: https://bit.ly/31SrX39. stethoscopes which can wirelessly accompanied by a compendium of 4. Personal Data Protection Commission. Public transmit recordings of auscultation use-cases, to guide practitioners in their Consultation on Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill. Available at: https://bit. sounds back to the computer via practice of telemedicine. ly/3fTgJUf. Bluetooth are also available in the 5. Bestsennyy O, Gilbert G, Harris A, Rost J. market. Perhaps in future, every Conclusion Telehealth: a quarter-trillion-dollar post- telemedicine patient can have an Telemedicine has the potential to COVID-19 reality? McKinsey & Company electronic stethoscope at home to reshape the way in which medical [Internet]. 29 May 2020. Available at: https:// complement the tele-consultation. practitioners practise medicine. Just mck.co/3cW5mZR. Artificial intelligence (AI) is like how Uber disrupted the transport 6. oDocs Eye Care. About us. Available at: also becoming more pervasive in https://bit.ly/3usH0N7. sector, how AirBnB disrupted the telemedicine. There are currently tourism industry and how blockchain 7. Shao G. What ‘deepfakes’ are and how they several online self-diagnosis programs technology disrupted the banking sector, may be dangerous. CNBC [Internet]. 13 October 2019. Available at: https://cnb.cx/3wJWjDk. available (eg, Symptom Checker by it would be interesting to see whether WebMD and the Mayo Clinic Symptom telemedicine will become the next 8. Personal Data Protection Commission. Singapore’s Approach to AI Governance. Checker), which taps into AI technology disruptor in the practice of medicine in Available at: https://bit.ly/3fJiYcO. that allows patients to self-diagnose the age of the COVID-19 pandemic. JUN 2021 SMA News 13
OPINION O Y E A R TW al School S into Medic Text by Faye N g Yu Ci 1 Part 1 Parallel histories from Kent Ridge MRT to UTown. In place of the library, I studied at the When I was a child, my mother loved common area outside Starbucks, to tell me stories from her university the vast patch of green in front of days. She said those were the most me, the view and weather sublime radiant years of her life, ones she on wind-rimmed days. While my enjoyed to the fullest. There was the mother ran for desserts, I ran from thrill of unbridled youth, coupled with the anatomy hall to the histology the freedom of academic enterprise. laboratory, and for the MD6 With independence came the liberty to tutorial rooms when my clinical allocate and repurpose time, pre-curated group detoured too far away for school days a relic of the past. University lunch. On that day, we lost track of time Singapore at the Southeast Asian Games, was the semi-autonomous rite of passage in between full-bellied laughter and impassioned environmentalists driving to adulthood, with only a portion of its honest conversation, enclosed in the sustainable efforts and aspiring artists responsibilities. It was the place where warm-coloured walls of La Nonna. producing Spotify soundtracks. There you discovered and found yourself. are friends living in Hall whose gamut of As a university student, my mother Getting into medical school co-curricular activities all but take them weaved through the campus on her away from the studying of medicine, steel-framed bicycle, squeaky wheels When my juniors asked me for advice on friends who strike a good balance and wooden box laden with books at applying to medical school – questions between work and play, and friends who its rear. Swerving around the tree-lined on how to write their personal statements swear by the hardcover Robbins Basic bends, the lake next to the Central and prepare for interviews – I thought hard Pathology textbook they lug to school Library glimmered, its lotus pads dark about what I could share. It prompted me every day. We have our class clowns and circles under the relentless sun. During to consider what made for a successful opinionated vocalists, gym jockeys and examination season, my mother’s medical school candidate, and by food bloggers, diehard nerds and old study group took turns to save seats extension, what my friends in NUS Yong soul poets… Though few might expect for each other in the library, where Loo Lin School of Medicine are like. I it, medical school is variety and diversity students camped out overnight between thought about their personalities and – there is a place for everyone. shelves of books, brushing their teeth attributes, lingering on unifying features that made them alike. Nevertheless, there Another truth I discerned in retrospect: by the sinks in the mornings. On lazier was nothing definitive I could arrive on. most of us made it into medical school afternoons, she leafed through pages because we were lucky. We were lucky of jotted notes lying on her dormitory Besides the usual character traits to have performed well at the multiple bed, the ceiling fan overhead whirling. of integrity, diligence and persistence, mini-interview stations and encountered When the scent of freshly made desserts along with a prevailing code of moral faculty who believed we would make for wafted up from a floor below, she was conduct, there are few other qualities good doctors. We were privileged to have always one of the first in line at the that can encapsulate or represent our come from educationally advantaged canteen. With her roommates, she raced class. Everyone has idiosyncrasies of backgrounds and systems that gave towards what would later become one of his or her own, and it is impossible to us the circumstances to succeed. We her fondest and most vivid memories of pinpoint why each of us made the cut had teachers who impressed upon us youth, strangely yet gently beckoning. for medical school. the value of hard work, developed our By the time I entered university, it was Similarly, the interests and pursuits ability to think for ourselves and invoked a different campus, a different dream. of medical students range far and our curiosity for the subjects we learnt. Instead of a bike, the orange and blue wide. Among my classmates, there We met seniors who served as our role university shuttle buses ferried me are national players representing models, demonstrating, by virtue of who 14 JUN 2021 SMA News
buns, full and eased into perfect domes. mechanisms. Our greater overall breadth On occasions, there would even be and depth of knowledge helped us to the fragrance of turmeric, the auntie draw connections between concepts, behind the counter folding potato filling allowing us to keep the bigger picture into pastry dough, crimping the edges in mind instead of getting caught up together deftly to form the braided rims in the details. The year passed in quick of curry puffs. footsteps, steady hearts and opened As first years, there was a lot to adjust books in libraries. to and take in. We studied anatomy, physiology, histology and biochemistry The medical school experience with vigour and exuberance. All of a Unlike other faculties, medicine is sudden, we were medical students, relatively self-contained due to the doctors to be, and the idea was surreal. way our degree is structured and As much as the newfound knowledge organised. We have our own campus, was overwhelming, our freshness and academic calendar and curriculum, in eagerness kept us going. Only later in the addition to a curated set of electives year did we run into each other streaming and exchange programmes. 2 lectures from the library, exchanging Instead of a modular system, we have knowing glances as we hid rueful smiles. a fixed syllabus whereby everyone goes they were, what compassion and humility By second year, we had formed our through the same series of lectures looked like, and what responsibility and close circles of friends and acquired a and tutorials. Although I was initially an unwavering work ethic meant. clearer idea of what we hoped to achieve disappointed by the inability to choose in our pre-clinical years. Things became or customise classes, I gradually grew to Then, there were those who went the more comfortable and manageable, as appreciate the routine and predictability extra mile for us. I am indelibly grateful to we gained familiarity over the various medical school offered. It was a relief my General Paper teacher, who sacrificed aspects of medical school. Second year that I did not have to arrange my own her lunch breaks on Fridays to discuss was a continuation of the first year’s timetable or strategise over how to extra essay plans with me, and Mum, who endeavours, our days filled by the usual bid for modules. More importantly, made sure I always had hot piping food array of lectures and tutorials. What a common curriculum strengthened on the dinner table to return home to. was different was the new mala stall at our solidarity by giving us a shared These people supported us in tangible Frontier canteen, that made our noses run experience and memories we could all and intangible ways, believing in us when when we felt brave enough for another relate to. It felt reassuring to go through we struggled or lost faith in ourselves. notch up the spice-tolerance scale. medical school in tandem with the rest While we were zealous and ambitious, we were more so enabled and blessed. Academics wise, the curriculum of my batchmates, as we learnt, revised was heavier, but counterintuitively, and took our examinations together. In replying my juniors, I urged them everything made more sense. Perhaps Despite the standardised curriculum, to be themselves, relax and, most of this was because the Year 2 curriculum there is no lack of options or opportunities all, enjoy and learn from the process of was built upon our Year 1 foundation: for co-curricular activities in medical applying to medical school. Medicine, pathology was derived from anatomy school. We have our annual Rag and Flag after all, is a science and an art. In many and physiology, while pharmacology (RAG), Inter-Faculty Games, as well as local instances, it is also serendipity. acted upon the body’s physiological and overseas community involvement Pre-clinical years The first year of medical school was a flourish of new beginnings, friendships and experiences. Like flowers, each was a bloom inching and spreading open, with some shutting earlier, and others maturing to full-laden density. In medical school, we had an intense curriculum. Our first few weeks of school already had our calendars brimming, packed with back-to-back lectures, tutorials, anatomy hall and histology laboratory sessions. During the lecture breaks, my friends and I would wind up 3 at Dilys by the bread racks, enamoured by the scent of coffee and assorted JUN 2021 SMA News 15
4 5 projects (LCIPs and OCIPs) to participate programme under Frontier Danceland. I Legend in. We also have organising committees choreographed as well for the first time 1. Being inducted into the medical fraternity at for events like Freshmen Orientation in medical school, putting together a the White Coat Ceremony Programme and Dinner and Dance, piece for the Silent Mentor Appreciation 2. Celebrating our birthdays for one another apart from Medical Society directorates, Ceremony. and being each others’ pillars of support in medical school ad-hoc book clubs and interest groups. My time in the community service 3. Day trip to Johor Bahru with my M2 clinical As an incoming freshman, the projects that I was a part of left a group, where we tried out the amazing banana plethora of experiences presented by deep impression on me. My fondest cakes from Hiap Joo bakery university can be overwhelming. This recollections are of the people – the 4. Striking a pose in front of one of Angkor Wat’s temples, which we visited for our L25 trip gives rise to FOMO – the fear of missing residents and villagers I served, out. At the start of orientation, these together with the friends I worked 5. Colour coordinated with my M1 clinical group in our Patient-Based Programme attires, each exclamations were familiar: “I’m FOMO alongside with. Sometimes, it is the of us in a different shade of the rainbow I’m not in dance for RAG”, “I’m FOMO most mundane and minute of details because I can’t make it for the house you remember: how dim the corridor gathering tonight”, and “I’m FOMO about of the rental block was as it extended Faye is currently an undergraduate not signing up for OCIPs”. I think back down into more sets of metal-hinged student at the NUS Yong Loo Lin to walking around the multi-purpose gates… the throb of the granny’s pulse School of Medicine. In her free time, hall during CommServ, a day where as you measured her blood pressure. she writes, bakes and dances. Her poems have appeared in Cha: An Asian community service projects convene I recall staying up till the wee hours of Literary Journal, Quarterly Literary to put up an exhibition for incoming the morning sorting through health Review Singapore, Raven Chronicles, juniors, and being inundated by the records on Excel and those long van and Bookends Review, among others. sheer spectrum and number of projects rides in Cambodia from Phnom Penh Her poetry is also forthcoming in the spanning the room. When everything to deep inside the villages. When I Annals of Internal Medicine. seems possible, paralysis in decision- dozed off on my friends’ shoulders, making occurs. I remember waking up to the most Personally, there was also the comical expressions of them sleeping. impulse to take hold of these offerings. Through these experiences, I gained After considering which causes most insight into my strengths, weaknesses resonated with me, I joined Project and dispositions. When there were Lokun, a biannual humanitarian health difficult decisions to make, I also service project to Pursat, Cambodia, and realised what I loved and cherished. the Neighbourhood Health Service, a It takes time to sort through all the local health screening project reaching shimmer and the clutter, to figure out out to elderly residents in rental blocks. and understand yourself. Growth is Beyond medicine, I continued dancing never a linear process – it is important in NUS Synergy and the PULSE scholars’ to be patient. 16 JUN 2021 SMA News
Rene w a l Letter A T I M E F O R In the month of April, the air warms as spring arrives in the UK. Golden fields of daffodils carpet the ground and pink buds of cherry blossoms grow on what was once bare branches. Spring is a time of rejuvenation and renewal. As vaccines continue to be rolled out across the nation and the number of COVID-19 cases fall, life in the UK is slowly regaining a sense of normalcy. Before the UK eased out of lockdown on 12 April, the Singapore Medical Society of the United Kingdom (SMSUK) organised a slew of springtime events to engage our members and enhance their learning. Below are some of our highlights since the last column. On the last Saturday of February, SMSUK members Dental composite class and alumni from all over the UK and Singapore came together to celebrate the month of love and friendship SMSUK also launched our new “Grassroots Events” in our online social event “Crazy Rich Palentine’s”. initiative, where members had the opportunity to Inspired by the massive box office hit romance organise events together with the SMSUK committee. Crazy Rich Asians, participants were encouraged to We kicked off with a talk on “Shaping the Future of come dressed in their fanciest first-date outfits for General Practice in Singapore”, organised by SMSUK the session. The event featured our popular “speed- member Cornelius Tan in collaboration with the friending” sessions facilitated in Zoom breakout rooms, Singapore Medical Societies of Australia and New a short Valentine’s Day trivia quiz and a segment Zealand, and Ireland. The talk was attended by over where participants had fun creating and presenting 50 members from the three societies who listened to “Palentine’s Profiles” for their friends. It was an event insights from Prof Doris Young, Dr Wong Tien Hua and filled with warmth, laughter and banter. Dr Ruth Lim, three prominent figures in Singapore’s general practice scene. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about much disruption to clinical teaching for medical and dental As the above events were the first of their kind in students in the UK. To address this, SMSUK got creative our society, we are heartened by the strong support and spearheaded events such as our first ever hands- from our alumni and mentors who volunteered to on virtual dental composite class in March. Over 50 organise and conduct the sessions, enthusiastic participants were tutored on various composite filling participation from our members and overwhelmingly techniques by volunteer mentors and alumni. The positive feedback we have received. hugely successful event was also joined by members of For this month’s prompt, we asked our members to our affiliated societies from Malaysia and Hong Kong. share how they have spent their Easter break. – Chin Sue-Kay, Editor, SMSUK 18 JUN 2021 SMA News
Text and photo by Ryan Chen Ryan is a Year 1 medical student at University of Leicester. Spring was here. Since I would be spending Easter British icon! Together with some friends from junior in the UK this year, I decided on visiting Cambridge college (JC), I let my mind wander on the stroll down and London. Southbank, tracing the Thames as it unveiled various Cambridge was charming. The solemn, overcast landmarks – the Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Big clouds that greeted me there soon gave way to Ben and the London Eye. The day I visited coincided clear, spotless skies that rained generous pockets with His Royal Highness The Prince Philip’s passing. As of sunshine onto those hallowed, ancient streets I witnessed the crowds gracing Buckingham Palace’s and college buildings. Punting down the River Cam, stately gates, laying flowers and paying their respects, passing various landmarks I couldn’t help but be reminded of the spirit of British like King’s College Chapel unity amid trying times, especially during COVID-19. and the Wren Library, under On my second trip to London, I met with an old the famed Mathematical JC friend. We visited Portobello Road Market before Bridge and the Bridge of adjourning to Notting Hill, which was adorned with Sighs, I couldn’t help but colourful houses and bespoke luxury cars. In contrast, marvel at this Eden that Chinatown toyed with my senses with the smell of spoke of eras of grace and Asian cuisine, the sight of red everywhere and the academic prowess. pockets of spoken Mandarin I overheard in various London – where do I conversations. It really did not feel like I was in Europe! start? My two day trips Despite spending Easter abroad with trips and down South would not do activities, I still miss Singapore dearly; the occasional justice to the beauty of this tinge of homesickness is real. Buckingham Palace gates Text and photo by Ravanth Baskaran Ravanth is a Year 3 medical student at Cardiff University. A long Easter break is not something that exists for us I have attempted to at Cardiff University, as we carry on with our Student explore the beautiful land Selected Component (SSC) block during this period. of Wales as quarantine was Due to the nature of my SSC, I spent my bank holiday slowly being lifted. From doing night shifts, helping the surgical registrars with mountains to beaches, my their duties while learning a whole lot. Through this housemates and I have Easter period, I also embarked on many new projects trekked mountains, swam – one of which was founding the online Objective in the sea, ran (or walked) Structured Clinical Examination (OCSE) teaching a marathon for charity, platform, OSCEazy. With help from my fellow SMSUK and much more. As we friends, we gained an outreach of over 4,000 medical look ahead, apart from the professionals across all platforms! I embarked on this looming examinations, we project with the aim of providing a quality online OSCE hope to be able to follow Nature trekking teaching tool to address the difficulties in learning local guidelines and explore brought about by the pandemic. With the success the country – something that we have not been able to of OSCEazy, we have branched out to include finals do for the past year. We hope to be able to travel back and Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons during summer to our respective home countries in examination teaching as well. order to spend time with our families and friends and Easter has also served as a time to recuperate enjoy the good home-cooked meals that come along and relax from the stress of being a medical student. with being back home. JUN 2021 SMA News 19
H eartinds s, Healing REVIEW M Touching Review by Dr Suresh Nair Preface VP – firstly, for his friendship of over 30 Murder Is My Business (published in 1990) years; secondly, being invited for the book served as a forerunner, recent editions Sometime in late December 2020, launch; and thirdly, for being the chosen include Dr Lee Wei Ling’s A Hakka Woman’s I received a video invitation card from Dr one to write his book review. Indeed, Singapore and Dr Charles Toh’s Heart VP Nair (VP) to attend his book launch. I humbled but supremely honoured to Heart. On 15 January 2021, another felt humbled that he had “hand-picked” because of who VP is and will always be medical luminary joined the book club – me to be one of his 50 guests for the – to his family, friends, patients, and the VP – with the launch of his book Healing launch as he was a man known to grassroots, Malayalee, global Indian and Hearts, Touching Minds – The Journey of an hundreds. At the launch, I congratulated global Rotary communities, and to me Interventional Cardiologist (HHTM). VP and suggested that he get the book personally – a man of distinction. reviewed for SMA News, to which he HHTM is perhaps unique in its replied: “Fantastic, good idea! It will be Please indulge me in reading my multi-dimensional effort, weaving even more fantastic if you wrote the first book review as I ponder writing a into a single canvas the ambitious and review.” I couldn’t rain on his optimism, biography of VP – the man who overcame determined doctor’s socio-cultural yet looking around the hall, I saw more struggles on many fronts but always rose background, education, practice of competent writers waiting in line for above the din with his bright, broad smile medicine and in particular cardiology, VP’s autographed book. Suddenly, I felt and pure heart of gold. and a bunch of thoughts that ranged that he had in his characteristic manner from the Tiananmen incident to a humbled me a second time and I should Book Review woman President for Singapore. It is not refuse him; I had to do it. even cheekily contradictory as VP argues The Singapore medical fraternity’s Why? Simply because VP is a giant of a contribution to the written word is a case of women empowerment and man who is not just a doctor but a person noteworthy. While Prof Chao Tzee Cheng’s yet sallies up to the belles of beauty of sterling qualities, and who carries with him the charm of disarming anyone with his smile, laughter and genuineness. Here is a man, doctor, friend, mentor and “uncle” who goes the extra mile for all and sundry, and often much more than that, especially for people like me with whom there is a connectedness based on care, respect and affection. So, in my earnest quest to do justice to VP’s publishing endeavour, I researched on how to write a book review and gathered a few friends to guide me through the process. I know that no effort will honour VP adequately for his heart of gold. Instead of daunting me, it made my effort at writing the review more earnest, exciting and interesting. I adhered to uphold his commitment to always aim high and learn from the journey. After writing the book review, I felt trebly blessed by Dr VP Nair with Minister Dr Tan See Leng during the book launch 20 JUN 2021 SMA News
You can also read