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MOH releases public consultation paper on the proposed Family Physician Register
Posted on Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 12:00 AM

Responding to calls from the College of Family Physicians Singapore and the Transforming Primary Care Committee appointed by Ministry of Health (MOH) to establish minimum training requirements for family physicians, MOH proposes to establish a Family Physician Register. This Register will list the names of family physicians who have undergone a recognised formal training programme in family medicine.

AIM OF ESTABLISHING THE REGISTER

2. The aim of the Family Physician Register is to raise the overall standard of family medicine practice in Singapore. Formal training in family medicine will be a pre-requisite for entry into the Register.

THE DESIRED OUTCOMES

3. The desired outcomes of the Family Physician Register are:

Improved management of chronic diseases and, consequently, reduced national burden of disease.
Reduced avoidable hospitalisation of chronic diseases through emphasis on early treatment and prevention.
More appropriate siting of care at family clinics in the community instead of at specialist outpatient clinics in hospitals.
Increased public confidence in the skills and knowledge of family physicians.
An effective and sustained doctor-patient partnership, to realize the vision of "A family physician for every Singaporean".

4. With the above outcomes, we would be able to improve patient care at primary care level, contain overall healthcare cost and enhance professional fulfilment for both family physicians and specialists.

The full papaer can be found in the Ministry of Health's website at www.moh.gov.sg . Final date for submissions is 14 Nov 2005.

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