FAQ

1. What are the career prospects? 

Following a successful graduation from the SingHealth paediatrics residency programme, general paediatricians can practice in hospital inpatient units, ambulatory outpatient clinics, Children's Emergency or practice in areas such as community paediatrics including KIDS 0-3, providing primary paediatric care, child protection and advocacy. There is also the option of the advanced training in the numerous paediatric subspecialties such as neonatology, paediatric intensive care, paediatric nephrology, etc.  Paediatricians also have opportunities to enhance their careers as clinician educators, researchers and innovators. 

2. If I have not done a posting in KK Paediatrics before, will that affect my chances of getting selected?

One or more paediatric-related postings in any SI – and especially SingHealth - will provide applicants with an opportunity to learn more about the working environment and interact with paediatric faculty and residents.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for postings in KKH Department of Paediatrics, Department of Neonatology, Children's Emergency and SGH Department of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine. 

3. What is the range of the number of residents per annual intake? 

This differs on a yearly basis depending on MOHH manpower quotas for trainees, and usually ranges from 7 to 10 successful applicants per academic year intake. There is NO quota based on age/gender/race or ethnicity/graduating medical school, local or overseas, as long as they are recognised by MOHH. However, as per current and latest MOHH policy, depending on your personal situation, all applicants must either be:

• A. If an IMG (International Medical Graduate), you must either be Singapore citizen or Singapore PR
• B. If neither a Singapore citizen or Singapore PR, you must be a graduate from one of the three local Singapore medical schools

4. Is research experience an important factor in the selection of Paeds residents?

Engagement in scholarly activity is one of the components considered in the selection of residents.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to present their research in conferences and/or publications. 

5. How long is the training and what experiences can residents expect? 

Paediatrics is a seamless 6-year training program. This consists of a 3-year Junior Residency (JR) training program, followed by a 3-ear Senior Residency (SR) training program. This is a competence-based medical education program, and, if needed, an additional 3 years is allowed for all trainees to complete their training. All JRs must pass the MMED / MRCPH intermediate exam before progressing to SR. All SRs must pass the Paediatric Medicine Exit Exams before completion of training and promotion to an Associate Consultant (AC) The training program consists of a broad and essential mix of clinical postings involving front-line, hands-on clinical activity under supervision, as well didactic educational and teaching sessions. In addition, all JRs and SRs also actively involved and participate in the numerous and varied departmental and subspecialty educational activities, including M+M meetings, Ethics rounds, Journal clubs, Grey case conferences, etc.

6. Will there be opportunities for elective postings during the training?

Yes. There are 3 elective months during the 3-year Junior Residency training program. This can be done within a wide number of paediatrician specialties, many of which may not be part of the formal training program, but many trainees feel would be beneficial for their paediatric training experience, Eg. ENT, Anaesthesiology, Paediatric Surgery, Ophthalmology, Palliative Care, etc.  If one wishes to spend additional time in a paediatric subspecialty already part of the training program, they can also do so. For the 3-year Senior Residency training program, whilst there is no formal elective months, for those with a particular future career interest in a specific paediatric subspecialty, the Program will try to facilitate additional postings in this area, where possible.