PROFILE

Joint Committee on Specialist Training (JCST)
The specialty training programmes in Singapore are administered by the Joint Committee on Specialist Training (JCST), which is serviced jointly by the Academy of Medicine, Singapore and the Division of Graduate Medical Studies, National University of Singapore.

Specialist training is a continuum of 6-8 years. On completion of 3 years of basic training and obtaining the MMed degree, any doctor wishing to become a specialist must complete another 3 years of advanced specialty training, and be assessed at the end of this period, to be eligible for specialist accreditation. The Academy of Medicine together with the Division of Graduate Medical Studies, National University of Singapore is responsible for the advanced training programmes in 35 specialties, ranging from Anaesthesiology to Urology. Each of the 35 specialties has its own Specialist Training Committee (STC), which assists the JCST on the development of specialist training programmes. At the end of the training, an assessment/examination is conducted, and successful trainees are awarded the Fellowship of the Academy of Medicine (FAMS). These trainees are also eligible to apply for specialist accreditation by the Specialist Accreditation Board (SAB).

JCST Executive Committee

The members of the JCST Executive Committee are appointed by the SAB. The current term of office was effective 1 September 2003 and will end on 31 August 2006.

Professor Lee Eng Hin (Co-chairman)
Clinical Professor Low Cheng Hock (Co-chairman)
Clinical Professor Chee Yam Cheng
Clinical Professor Fock Kwong Ming
Clinical Associate Professor Tan Cheng Lim
Clinical Associate Professor George Yeo Seow Heong
Professor Kua Ee Heok
Associate Professor Yeoh Khay Guan
Clinical Associate Professor Ho Lai Yun (wef Sept 2005)

Terms of Reference for the JCST

1. To set the professional standards for specialist training and establish the framework for assuring the quality of specialist training in Singapore.
2. To maintain and upgrade the standards of the structured training programmes for all accredited specialties in Singapore. This is done through the following:
   
   • Oversee the STCs’ role in the establishment of specialty training programmes;
     
   • Monitor training standards and quality through the JCST Accreditation/Audit Sub-Committee; and
     
   • Establish a formal system for auditing training programmes.
3. To determine the process and criteria for accrediting training departments and institutions through the JCST Accreditation/Audit Sub-Committee with inputs from STCs.
4. To oversee the STCs in the selection and assessment of trainees, and provide direction to the STCs in training matters.
5. To establish the format and standards for exit evaluation of trainees in all specialties.
6. To provide administrative and secretarial support to all the STCs.

Terms of Reference for the Specialist Training Committees (STCs)

Each STC shall be responsible to the Joint Committee on Specialist Training (JCST) for the following areas within its specialty:

1. To establish and maintain structured training programmes for basic and advanced specialist trainees.
2. To provide inputs to the JCST and SAB on the number of specialist trainees to be appointed each year.
3. To select basic and advanced specialist trainees based on:
   
   • numbers approved by MOH
     
   • criteria set by the JCST and approved by the SAB
4. To oversee the implementation of specialist training programmes in institutions accredited by the JCST.
5. To specify posting requirements for basic and advanced specialist trainees in terms of the number, type and duration of postings each trainee must undergo.
6. To conduct exit evaluations for trainees who have completed their Advanced Specialist Training, based on the format approved by the JCST.
7. To assist the SAB in reviewing applications for foreign trained specialists seeking accreditation in Singapore.
8. To assist MOH and the Clusters by recommending useful topic areas for Health Manpower Development Programme (HMDP) fellowships.
9. To inform the JCST on any relevant matters pertaining to specialist training.

List of Specialties Administered by the Joint Committee on Specialist Training