General information on training programmes

Residency training programmes

Overview

The residency programmes are nationally standardised, structured formative training programmes.

The components of the residency include -

• An institutional structure with priority for training and education.
  

• Learning experiences that are planned to see the range and volume of cases needed to accrue necessary competencies.
  

• Teaching faculty with protected time to plan the curriculum, and to guide and supervise trainees and perform formative assessments.
  

• Regular formative assessments to ensure trainees achieve the core competencies at each stage of learning.

Programme duration

The local residency training requirements can be found here ↗ (opens in new tab).

Advanced Specialist Training (AST) programmes

Overview

Advanced Specialist Training (AST) programmes are administered by the Joint Committee on Specialist Training (JCST).

Programme duration

The local AST training requirements can be found here ↗ (opens in new tab).

Enrolment into training programmes

Eligibility criteria for specialist training programmes

General criteria for specialist training programmes include the following:

1. Graduates of Singapore medical schools and those with primary medical qualifications registrable under the Medical Registration Act (Second Schedule ↗ (opens in new tab)) are eligible to apply. Graduates from overseas must secure an offer of employment as a doctor from MOHH before they are eligible to apply.

2. Completed Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) by the commencement date

3. Candidates should already be on Conditional or Full Registration with the Singapore Medical Council at the start date of residency.

4. In general, a resident who wishes to switch programme has to resign from his or her programme and wait one year before applying for another programme again. In circumstances where a resident wishes to transfer to a less popular programme, the penalty will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

5. Candidates should be employed by MOHH at the point of acceptance into a specialist training programme.

The entry criteria for the subspecialties can be found here ↗ (opens in new tab). You may also refer to the application guide on MOHH ↗ (opens in new tab) for the detailed eligibility for subspecialty residency training.

Application process and matching exercise

Applicants can choose to apply for a maximum of two specialties. Applicants would need to submit their portfolio, which includes their personal statements for each of the chosen specialties, as well as their letters of reference. Where applicable, House Officers and Medical Officers would also need to submit their academic records, transcripts, documentation of their work experience, supervisor reports, posting grades, postgraduate examinations, awards, and other accomplishments.

Applications are generally evaluated based on candidates’ academic scores, Student Internship Programme performance, letters of reference, interview performance and, where applicable, work performance. This ensures that acceptance into a specialist training programme is on the basis of merit.

Candidates would submit their rankings of programmes in order of preference to MOHH, while Programme Directors (PDs) would also submit their rankings of candidates to MOHH. Following this, matching of candidates to programmes would be done by MOHH based on the number of positions available for each specialty.

Progression in the training programme

A resident/trainee’s performance is reviewed and/or monitored by the PD/Associate PDs (APDs)/ core faculty members, Clinical Competency Committee (CCC)/Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC), or the Head of Department (HOD)/Training Director. Progression in the specialist training programme is based upon the resident/trainee meeting the relevant requirements and attaining the relevant competencies defined by the Residency Advisory Committee (RAC)/Subspecialty Training Committee (SSTC) for advancement to the next level of training. The method of evaluation would consist of direct observations of the resident/trainees anchored on Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), summative examinations, and/or other relevant assessments and requirements. Information on specialty training requirements and EPAs can be found here.

If an evaluation indicates unsatisfactory performance, the resident/trainee would be provided with a remediation plan for correcting any deficiencies. However, should the remediation be unsatisfactory, this may be cause for probation or termination from the training programme.

For specialty residency programmes, the term “Senior Resident” would be used during the advanced phase of training. The earliest point during training that a resident can be progressed to the position of Senior Resident in any specialty is:

1. Upon certification by the PD that the resident has completed R3/R4 and acquired all the necessary competencies specified for an R3/R4 resident; and

2. When the resident has fulfilled the criteria laid down by the RAC for progression to Senior Resident.

The criteria for progression to senior resident can be found here.

Other information

Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE)

Exit certification

At the end of specialist training, residents/trainees are to complete their training requirements, attain the requisite entrustment levels for the Specialty’s EPAs and pass summative examinations before being certified competent to exit as specialists.

Compulsory courses for all trainees / residents

The course on medical ethics, professionalism and health law conducted by the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) is a mandatory requirement for exit certification for all trainees/residents. To apply for the course and for more information on the course schedule, please enquire with SMA at 6223 1264 or visit their website ↗ (opens in new tab).

Co-payment of training fee

Residents in PGY2 and beyond in the following specialties: Dermatology, Paediatric Medicine, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Orthopaedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, will co-pay a monthly training fee for the entire duration of their training. The training fee is subject to revision.

Clinician Scientist (CS) programme

The SAB Research Committee (SRC) oversees research training in the Clinician Scientist (CS) programmes. For CS residents/trainees, an additional year of research training is required to exit from the training programme. The additional year will equip CS residents/trainees with research skills and experience to pursue research.

Please refer to the section on Clinician Scientist programme for more detailed information.

International Medical Graduates (IMG) and residency training

IInternational Medical Graduates (IMGs) who are existing residents or specialist trainees in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK and Hong Kong, or in other centres/countries where training may be recognised by the SAB but with additional criteria on accreditation imposed, can apply to enter residency programmes in Singapore with their years of training taken into account if they are assessed to be equivalent to the local training by the committees of the Specialists Accreditation Board. They must first be matched to a residency programme to be accepted and have their years of training assessed.