Singapore launches new professional growth programme to nurture doctors

In August, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) will launch Professional Growth, a new programme that prepares its medical students for the demands of the medical practice by fostering a strong professional identity and mental resilience.

This will be done through regular structured discussions, seminars, and clinical transition workshops which will be conducted throughout the five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) curriculum degree programme.

The content for Professional Growth is curated and aligned with key transition periods for medical students, such as when they embark on their clinical postings or enter the healthcare workforce. The curriculum covers topics including burnout, effective helpseeking strategies, and dealing with grief in the medical profession.

The new programme complements national efforts to address issues faced by junior doctors, by equipping its students with the right tools to manage their well-being as doctors.

The new Professional Growth programme is part of an enhanced Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) curriculum that the School will roll out from August 2024.

The new Professional Growth programme leverages LKCMedicine’s current pastoral care programme, which is delivered through a House System. Students are assigned to one of five different Houses at the start of their studies and assigned a House Tutor (an LKCMedicine faculty or staff member) for guidance and mentorship.