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GENERAL INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ADVANCED SPECIALTY TRAINING
1 INTRODUCTION
This document presents general information pertaining to advanced specialty training programmes administered by the Joint Committee on Specialist Training (JCST) which are common to all the specialties. The JCST Secretariat is serviced jointly by the Academy of Medicine, Singapore and the Division of Graduate Medical Studies, National University of Singapore.
2 ADMISSION INTO ADVANCED SPECIALTY TRAINING (AST)
To be eligible for an AST post, Medical Officers must have :
- completed a period of basic training or equivalent experience as specified for the specialty;
- obtained an MMed in the specialty or equivalent qualification; and
- accepted an appointment to practice medicine, or be practicing in a training hospital.
Additional reports from basic training supervisors may be requested in some cases. Basic training is the period of supervised training after medical registration. The basic training period is determined from the starting date of basic traineeship appointment; maximum 12 months accreditation is accorded for relevant postings done before traineeship appointment. Non-trainees may be admitted to AST on a case by case basis. JCST will prospectively verify end of basic training upon request (Form AST 1/1). Verification of completion of basic training must be submitted together with all applications.
3 APPLICATION FOR ADVANCED TRAINING POST
There will be 2 intakes, in May and November, each year. The Ministry of Health sets the number of training posts for each year’s intake, and subsequent appointment is subject to selection and availability of training posts. Applicants may check with the JCST secretariat on the number of posts available. Applications are to be submitted before the closing date of each intake (February and August each year) and selection will only be done in February/March (for May intake) and August/September (for November intake) respectively. JCST is not obliged to give reasons for turning down applications.
The Application form (AST1/2A) is to be submitted with a non-refundable application fee of $50.00, supervisor’s performance appraisal form (AST 1/2B); certified true copy of the relevant educational certificates; (MBBS and higher) and a copy of curriculum vitae with updated posting details. Cheques are to be made payable either to Academy of Medicine, Singapore or National University of Singapore depending on the office administering the specialty applied for. The JCST Secretariat administering the application for an AST post is as follows:
Academy of Medicine, Singapore
1. Cardiology
2. Cardiothoracic Surgery
3. Dermatology
4. Emergency Medicine
5. Endocrinology
6. Gastroenterology
7. Geriatric Medicine
8. Haematology
9. Hand Surgery
10. Infectious Diseases
11. Medical Oncology
12. Neurology
13. Neurosurgery
14. Nuclear Medicine
15. Orthopaedic Surgery
16. Paediatric Surgery
17. Pathology
18. Plastic Surgery
19. Rehabilitation Medicine
20. Renal Medicine
21. Respiratory Medicine
22. Rheumatology
23. Therapeutic Radiology
24. Urology
National University of Singapore
1. Anaesthesiology
2. Diagnostic Radiology
3. General Surgery
4. Internal Medicine
5. Obstetrics & Gynaecology
6. Occupational Medicine
7. Otorhinolaryngology
8. Ophthalmology
9. Paediatric Medicine
10. Psychiatry
11. Public Health Medicine
Applicants for AST should submit their application for employment as Trainee Registrars to the clusters (SHS/NHG) concurrently.
Foreign-trained doctors who meet the AST admission requirements as set out in paragraph 2 above may apply for Advanced Trainee posts. These applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
4 REGISTRATION FOR ADVANCED SPECIALTY TRAINING
The successful applicant is required to submit proof of appointment to a Trainee Registrar post by the employing hospital/cluster. The admission/log book and annual registration fees must be paid prior commencement of the training programme. The log book will only be issued upon successful payment of these fees.
Successful applicants must register (form AST 1/2C) with JCST secretariat within 9 months from the date of AST appointment. Failure to do so will result in voiding of the AST appointment with the training post being relinquished.
5 ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMMES
STCs will determine the postings of the Advanced Trainees in accordance with the training requirements, and clusters/hospitals are to ensure that they are rotated accordingly. Training should be in accredited departments with sufficient volume and variety of cases. Advanced Trainees must finish a minimum 6-months of cross-cluster or cross- hospital/department (where cross-cluster arrangement is not available for the specialty) posting during training. A period of training may be spent in an accredited overseas training center.
Details of the duration and content of training in the respective specialties are outlined in separate specialty training guides. Unless otherwise stated, the training duration is three years. In all instances, the indicated duration of training is a minimum period and additional training may be required.
6 PART-TIME TRAINING
Although advanced specialty training should be undertaken full-time, part-time training is an acceptable option provided that the position is equivalent to at least half of a full-time position. The duration of training will be increased to provide the same overall training time as for full-time Advanced Trainees. However, all part-time training must meet the same standards as for full-time training.
7 INTERRUPTED TRAINING
Advanced specialty training should be continuous. If a training programme is interrupted for more than 12 months, the JCST Secretariat may require the Advanced Trainee to undergo a further period of training in addition to the minimum requirements of the programme.
8 LOG BOOK
Advanced Trainees must keep proper and updated records in their log books to reflect the following main activities :
a) Case Management Data: A record of patients managed, operative procedures, etc.
b) Research: Advanced Trainees should learn basic research methods and are encouraged to participate in research. Accreditation of up to 6 months may be obtained for relevant full-time research.
c) Courses And Lectures: Advanced Trainees are expected to attend courses, seminars, lectures and other continuing medical education activities in the specialty throughout the training period. All such activities should be duly recorded in the log book.
d) Teaching: Advanced Trainees should be involved in teaching of junior doctors, medical students and paramedical staff.
e) Papers Presented At Meetings: The Advanced Trainee is encouraged to present papers at local, regional and international conferences.
9 MONITORING OF TRAINING AND SUBMISSION OF TRAINING REPORTS
Advanced Trainees are progressively assessed by Mentors and/or Supervisors, in consultation with Heads of Departments. The specific responsibilities of Mentors, Supervisors and Heads of Departments are outlined in AST 1/3. An Assessment Proforma (Form AST 1/4) must be submitted within one month of completion of each 6-month (or 4 months in some specialties) posting, together with relevant sections of the log book records.
10 RETROSPECTIVE ACCREDITATION OF ADVANCED TRAINING
Recognition of up to a maximum of 12 months may be given for training done as a Service Registrar. Such training must be supported by appropriate documentation and verification by supervisors.
Retrospective accreditation of training done overseas may be given on a case-by-case basis provided the training is consistent with the local programmes. Applications for retrospective accreditation of advanced specialty training can only be approved where the requirements of basic training have been fulfilled.
11 OVERSEAS TRAINING AND HMDP
Although training obtained in overseas centers may be recognised on the merit of each case depending on the type of work performed, it is recommended that such overseas attachments be done after the completion of advanced training. Advanced Trainees should seek recognition and approval for overseas training prior to leaving Singapore by submitting data on their host hospitals/training programmes.
12 EXIT CERTIFICATION
On satisfactory completion of the training programme, the Advanced Trainee will be exit certified. This is in the form of an oral assessment or clinical/oral examination by the Board of Assessors/Examiners. Trainees who have been exit certified can then proceed to apply for Specialist Registration with the Specialist Accreditation Board and for Fellowship of the Academy. Trainees must submit a ‘Summary of AST’, their logbook and other supporting documents prior to the exit assessment.
13 FEES
The fees payable by the Trainee for AST are as follows :
- Application fee (non-refundable) : $ 50
- Admission/Logbook Fee : $100
- Annual Registration Fee : $690/year
- Exit Assessment Fee : $800
- Exit Re-Assessment Fee : $800
With reference to paragraph 3 on the list of specialties administered by the JCST Secretariat, cheques must be made out either to ‘Academy of Medicine, Singapore’ or ‘National University of Singapore’ depending on the specialty you have indicated on the application form.
14 REFERENCE/FORMS
A Handbook on the Accreditation of Medical Specialists is available at MOH. Various Specialty Training Guides are available at the JCST Secretariat. All general regulations, information, fees and method of payment are subject to change. For clarification and further information, please contact the JCST Secretariat as follows:
Tel: (65) 6777 1233
Fax: (65) 6777 9633
Email: stc@ams.edu.sg
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