Education for a ‘Healthier SG’

Shaping the Future of Healthcare Education

Three ground-breaking programmes from the National University of Singapore (NUS) are advancing healthcare education and developing healthcare workers for the demands of Singapore’s changing healthcare environment. To support the development of future-ready health specialists, NUS is redesigning its healthcare curriculum with a close eye on the country’s ‘Healthier SG’ vision, which places a priority on integrated and preventative care.

The “Healthier SG” programme plans to revolutionise the healthcare industry by utilising technology and analytics to support independent ageing and comprehensive care. The healthcare workers of the future must have the abilities, information, and attitude necessary to make a meaningful contribution to Singapore’s adaptable and responsive healthcare system, according to NUS.

Additionally, it is crucial to use data science and AI to make informed decisions. For instance, doctors can use AI and data science to analyse patient data and risks, resulting in more precise clinical diagnoses and healthcare advice. For undergraduate students seeking careers in dentistry, medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, NUS has established an innovative, interdisciplinary common curriculum that will be available starting in August 2023.

The ‘Healthier SG’ concept is carefully reflected in this curriculum, which is officially known as the Common Curriculum for Healthcare Professional Education. As part of their educational experience, more than 870 first-year students from different disciplines will participate in five specialised courses, working together across healthcare specialities.

Also, the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine has taken a bold step by adding a Minor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biomedical Informatics to its programme. The goal of this forward-thinking project is to give medical students the skills they will need in the age of digital health driven by AI.

The relationship between AI and healthcare is more than just a novelty. It has become an important partnership that has the potential to change how accurate diagnoses are, how patients are cared for, and even what medical study is all about. NUS has taken on the role of a pioneer because it understands the need to bridge the gap between the field of AI, which is always getting better, and the field of medical practice, which is very important.

Likewise, the two-year common curriculum is unique because it combines academic material from Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy into a single learning experience. This curriculum is meant to help students see things from different fields of study. It has five complete courses, and each one must be finished in 13 weeks.

Digital literacy is a key part of this programme, which reflects the fact that technology is becoming more and more important in healthcare delivery and patient interactions. Blending online and face-to-face learning, the programme gives students a variety of ways to learn, such as case-based discussions, fireside chats, and self-reflections, which all help them learn how to use digital tools effectively.

This is emphasised even more by the fact that digital literacy is woven into the curriculum’s larger subject pillars, which shows how important it is in modern healthcare. As medicine depends more and more on electronic health records, telemedicine, and making decisions based on data, healthcare workers must have the skills to confidently navigate these digital landscapes and make sure that patients get the best care possible.

By understanding health in a bigger picture and adding data and digital literacy to this framework, students are better able to find and fix health disparities, speak up for vulnerable groups, and work together with other professionals in useful ways. In the end, the Common Curriculum gives students in healthcare the skills and perspectives they need to deal with the complexities of modern healthcare and make a good contribution to its ongoing development.