Hi all,
I'm a final year student at Sydney Uni and I have recently seen an advertisement for recent graduates to work for SingHealth in Singapore. The ad is at http://www.smg.govsg/html/SMChome.html
It sounds like a great opportunity to travel, but I am wondering whether spending next year working in Singapore would be a help or a hinderence career-wise? Is it better to get registered in Australia before going away, or is it not really an issue?
Any advice would be welcomed...
Cheers
Jeremy
Hi Jeremy,
I've asked one of my colleagues from Singapore (who now works in Australia) for his thoughts on this - will get back to you soon...
Some inside info about working in Singapore from a friend:
"With regards to working at Singhealth...
If your priorities are to party and have a good time, Singapore is the last place you want to be. A number of my friends are working as doctors in Singapore. During their intern year (also called houseman year), it wasn't uncommon for them to work a 90h week (NOT fortnight). You do these ridiculous 32h shifts 1-2x a week and work pretty much every weekend. As a consolation, you should get to go home at ~5pm on weekends, as compared to the usual 8-10pm!
The system in Singapore is such that the more senior you get, the less work you do. So the poor house officer is flogged with a mammoth of tasks to complete, whilst the consultant has a wonderful time attending drug company sponsered buffet style lunches. p.s. The government is pretty liberal about drug company gifts in Singapore...good lunches :)
However, if clinical experience and stress management techniques are your development goals, then I'd say Singapore wouldn't be a bad place.
One big advantage of working in Singapore is the ability to train in a dual training scheme. The primary training scheme in Singapore is the UK based system (i.e. FRCP, FRCS, etc). You also have the option of obtaining qualifications for the australian based training schemes (i.e. FRACP, FRACS, etc) as the training scheme in Singapore is approved by most UK and Australian colleges."
I know that hasn't quite addressed you query Jeremy, but we'll get there :)
An addition to the previous reply:
"It shouldn't be a problem getting a residency job back in Australia after your initial intern year. You must have done med school in Australia though.
However, the rules are changing and the AMC is introducing new criteria (or should I say less stringent criteria) regarding general registration in Australia. Check out the AMC website for more info"
Hope that helps
That's interesting to hear. I'll bear that in mind and ask a few questions at the information night tomorrow evening (at the Hilton!) I have never tried but I can only imagine 32 hour shifts are extremely uncool! It does not sound like a party over there.... I will leave some more info following the info night for anyone that may be interested.
Thanks for getting back to me!
Jeremy
My G/F went along to this for me as I am currently on my rural rotation, and said the Singaporeans put on a good show. As a non-medical person she was not able to follow all the details but she did ask quite a few questions on my behalf relating to work hours and lifestyle etc. The people running the show seemed to think there was a good balance and the holidays plus study leave sounded generous. My overall thoughts are that it wouldn't be a career move as such, but at least it is somewhere different you can go an work and it would provide an opportunity for exploring the region. If not appealing to a medico, it could work for anyone whose partner was transferring up there for work (as may be the case with us), at least you know you could get a medical job there if you wanted one.
I haven't read all the details yet but I have the information package at home. I'd be happy to post the information if anyone else is interested in it - just let me know
Cheers
Jeremy