Steven Chan

Mr Steven Chan
Member
SingHealth Patient Advocacy Network (SPAN), SingHealth

Mr Steven Chan is a dedicated caregiver and patient advocate, and a member of the SingHealth Patient Advocacy Network (SPAN), where his interests lie in patient safety, and service and quality improvement projects.

Steven's caregiving journey began in 2019, when he and his wife welcomed his father-in-law into their home to care for his multiple conditions, including venous leg ulcers, congestive heart failure, diabetes and kidney disease. Drawing on his National Service medical training, Steven took on wound care and researched better treatment options. When a dementia diagnosis followed in 2020, the family swiftly adapted, engaging allied health professionals and equipping their home with geriatric equipment to ensure the best possible care. In recognition of his dedication, he received the Singapore Health Inspirational Caregiver Award 2021. He cared for his father-in-law devotedly until his passing in November 2025. 
         
In 2022, Steven suffered a heart attack and underwent angioplasty, placing him on lifelong medication and deepening his personal understanding of navigating the healthcare system as a patient. Living with this reality has sharpened his appreciation of what patients carry home after discharge, including long medication lists, constant follow-ups, and the quiet questions about what is truly necessary. Guiding both his caregiving and his advocacy is a philosophy he learned from a mentor: what the patient wants is more important than what we want for them. Steven believes firmly that every family member has a role to play in caring for loved ones, and that the best healthcare conversations begin not with what more can be done, but with what truly matters to the patient.

Presentation Synopsis
HM 14 - Choosing Wisely with Patients and Caregivers

In healthcare, more is not always better, but neither is less. Unnecessary tests and treatments can delay care, cause anxiety, and burden patients and caregivers without improving outcomes. At the same time, underuse of appropriate care can leave patients without the support they truly need. Choosing Wisely is part of a global movement that encourages thoughtful, evidence-based decision-making that puts patients first.

This session explores what Choosing Wisely means in practice – not as a cost-cutting initiative, but as a commitment to delivering care that truly matters. Through real examples, we will examine how addressing both overuse and underuse of care can meaningfully improve patient and caregiver outcomes and experience: from reducing avoidable waiting time, to ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time.

We will open with an introduction to Choosing Wisely, followed by a panel discussion with patients, caregivers, and clinicians on what shared decision-making looks like on the ground. We hope to build a culture of thoughtful decision-making, where clinicians and patients are empowered to make care decisions together.
 

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