[Congress]Family doctors can become family medicine specialists after training

With the aging population and all clinics joining the Healthy SG must have at least one family doctor by 2030 at the latest, the government will formally recognize family medicine as a specialty, and those who have received relevant training can become family medicine specialists.

Dr. Pugli, Senior Minister of Government of the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Health, made a relevant announcement when debating the Ministry of Health expenditure budget at the Congressional Appropriations Committee on Friday (March 7). The conditions, training requirements and effective schedule for becoming a specialist will be announced later this year.

With a wide range of skills and long-term relationships with patients, family medicine specialists can enable more patients with complex symptoms to receive comprehensive care in the community, Pujieli said.

Currently, countries and regions such as Australia, Malaysia and Hong Kong, China recognize that family doctors who have received the necessary training are specialists. In Singapore, family doctors can continue their studies after obtaining a master's degree, complete two years of advanced professional training, and become a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians Singapore, but will not be certified as a specialist by the Specialists Accreditation Board.

According to the 2023 annual report of the Singapore Medical Council, there are more than 2,500 registered family doctors in local public and private medical institutions; while the Singapore General Medicine College has 272 academicians who have completed advanced professional training courses. According to the Singapore College of General Medicine, the academician is equivalent to the qualification of a specialist.

Further reading

[Congress]Long-term Care Enhancement Allowance Effective July 2026 Transitional Health Ministry provides fee rebates for the transition period

【Congress】Thumb SG Personalized Health Program Expands to Grade 4 and 5 of Elementary School

On the other hand, the Ministry of Health will also promote the transformation of medical teams and nursing methods. Doctors and nursing staff working in public emergency hospitals will strengthen collaboration in the future to provide comprehensive medical services to patients through team care methods.

Patients with different diseases will be treated in the future by a group of medical staff, and a supervisory doctor will be responsible for coordinating the treatment required by the patient, including specialist services. Patients are also exempted from referrals and frequent visits to the hospital for treatment in order to see different diseases.