BRIEF HISTORY

The role of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore in specialist certification started in 1985 when the Council directed the Bedel (later re-titled Censor-in-Chief) and Board of Censors to look into the entire realm of Specialist Certification and prepare a working document on training requirements. In collaboration with its ten Chapters, the Academy of Medicine, Singapore identified a total of thirty-two specialties to be included for specialist certification. Thirty-two specialist subcommittees were formed to work on the training programmes. Since then, the work of specialist certification has been spearheaded by the Standing Committee on Specialist Certification under the chairmanship of Dr Lee Seng Teik (1988-1992) and Dr Chee Yam Cheng (1993 – 1997). Memoranda of Understanding were established with overseas colleges, the first edition of the criteria for advanced specialty training was published, log books were issued, and specialty boards were formed to oversee the exit certification of trainees.