How is life as a doctor in Singapore?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You need to be more specific. It depends on what speciality you are looking at. Some specialities like Pediatrics are less competitive to enter in the UK compared to SG. In general, everything is more competitive in SG because there’s fewer spots available. It’s also a bit more subjective because connections do matter (that’s when the local grads have an advantage)

If you want to do aesthetics the best path is to spend your F1 and F2 in the UK and get your certs and training done. You can then return as a conditional reg MO to SG. Still subject to bad working hours but at least better than returning as a 0 experience HO at the whims and fancies of seniors who will work you to the bone

I am looking at doing ortho. I understand that SG would be more competitive and connections would be required so I have been working on research projects diligently and have been in contact with SG consultants. I am ok with suffering the tough HO year and working a couple years as an MO to get onto training, rather than train in ortho in the UK which is also competitive and be away from my family for a long time.

However, recently I have become a bit discouraged with people telling me that majority dont get into ortho even after 2-3 years as an MO so ive been considering alternatives. In a way, the local grads being unable to get COC or pgdiploma during MOPEX/HO works in my favour because if i do aesthetics i will definitely do F1 F2 in the UK and rack up everything needed. Then ill just stick it out in PHI until ful reg.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am looking at doing ortho. I understand that SG would be more competitive and connections would be required so I have been working on research projects diligently and have been in contact with SG consultants. I am ok with suffering the tough HO year and working a couple years as an MO to get onto training, rather than train in ortho in the UK which is also competitive and be away from my family for a long time.

However, recently I have become a bit discouraged with people telling me that majority dont get into ortho even after 2-3 years as an MO so ive been considering alternatives. In a way, the local grads being unable to get COC or pgdiploma during MOPEX/HO works in my favour because if i do aesthetics i will definitely do F1 F2 in the UK and rack up everything needed. Then ill just stick it out in PHI until ful reg.

You can have the best of both worlds by doing your F1/F2 and completing your aesthetics certs in the UK before returning to SG.

Even if you return immediately after graduation as a HO, you still need to clear that HO year to get conditional reg.

So the opportunity cost is only around 1 year. Not to mention if you immediately head back to SG, you lose the competitive advantage of doing your aesthetic certs in the UK.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am looking at doing ortho. I understand that SG would be more competitive and connections would be required so I have been working on research projects diligently and have been in contact with SG consultants. I am ok with suffering the tough HO year and working a couple years as an MO to get onto training, rather than train in ortho in the UK which is also competitive and be away from my family for a long time.

However, recently I have become a bit discouraged with people telling me that majority dont get into ortho even after 2-3 years as an MO so ive been considering alternatives. In a way, the local grads being unable to get COC or pgdiploma during MOPEX/HO works in my favour because if i do aesthetics i will definitely do F1 F2 in the UK and rack up everything needed. Then ill just stick it out in PHI until ful reg.

It is true. Ortho is highly competitive. Majority will not get into ortho.

As an doc working overseas I find it quite amusing to read about people who want to go back to Singapore to work.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It is true. Ortho is highly competitive. Majority will not get into ortho.
As an doc working overseas I find it quite amusing to read about people who want to go back to Singapore to work.

Yes, it can be amusing.

It depends on the country or region.

Working in war torn countries can be trying.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It is true. Ortho is highly competitive. Majority will not get into ortho.

As an doc working overseas I find it quite amusing to read about people who want to go back to Singapore to work.

yea that’s why my thinking is to prep the required backup plan as a parachute sort of if cant get in.

Which country are u working in? I could work elsewhere but haven’t really considered in depth

Originally Posted by Unregistered

yea that’s why my thinking is to prep the required backup plan as a parachute sort of if cant get in.

Which country are u working in? I could work elsewhere but haven’t really considered in depth

Typical Singaporean thinking. Always got parachute. Must be golden parachute too?

Wish you all the best.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

yea that’s why my thinking is to prep the required backup plan as a parachute sort of if cant get in.

Which country are u working in? I could work elsewhere but haven’t really considered in depth

You have the greatest advantage that local med students don’t have : flexibility. You can choose to specialise in the UK after F1/F2 or even head to Australia after that. Of course, you can take the typical route of going back to SG straight after graduation. You can even consider taking the USMLE and heading to USA to train, if you have the money and aptitude for exams.

It’s up to you to decide which path is most suitable for your needs.

How do they see training in US for doctors trained in US wishing to come back to Singapore. In the US, residencies would depend on organization and you can be board certified in psych from MGH or from a no name community hospital.

Let's say goal is to return to SG and become consultant or senior consultant in public hospital before going private after studying in UK/Australia, does it matter if you are trained in US/UK/AU/SG?

Conscious that US training should be fastest but almost impossible for foreign medical grads to get into top programs. UK will take forever but workload wise perhaps comparable to UK.

Would it be possible to train half way in UK like moving back to SG to pursue higher psych training for UK psych trainees or moving back to SG to do less selective IM specialties such as endo/rheum/nephro after IMT in UK and skip the most brutal shift for junior doctors in SG?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How do they see training in US for doctors trained in US wishing to come back to Singapore. In the US, residencies would depend on organization and you can be board certified in psych from MGH or from a no name community hospital.

Let's say goal is to return to SG and become consultant or senior consultant in public hospital before going private after studying in UK/Australia, does it matter if you are trained in US/UK/AU/SG?

Conscious that US training should be fastest but almost impossible for foreign medical grads to get into top programs. UK will take forever but workload wise perhaps comparable to UK.

Would it be possible to train half way in UK like moving back to SG to pursue higher psych training for UK psych trainees or moving back to SG to do less selective IM specialties such as endo/rheum/nephro after IMT in UK and skip the most brutal shift for junior doctors in SG?

Psych training is best in the UK because of the good work-life balance. It’s better to train fully in the UK and you can then relocate to AUS for a few years of work experience post CCT, before returning to SG as a full-fledged consultant.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You have the greatest advantage that local med students don’t have : flexibility. You can choose to specialise in the UK after F1/F2 or even head to Australia after that. Of course, you can take the typical route of going back to SG straight after graduation. You can even consider taking the USMLE and heading to USA to train, if you have the money and aptitude for exams.

It’s up to you to decide which path is most suitable for your needs.

Even local med students can take those paths. Not saying it is easy but it can be done. I did.

The amusing part is that these Singaporean med students overseas already have one foot on that path but want to turn back to Singapore.