About Us


The College of Family Physicians Singapore was formed in 1971 by a group of family physicians in Singapore who wanted an institution to enshrine and promote the values and ideals of family medicine.

COLLEGE'S MISSION

  1. Advance the art and science of medicine
  2. Discuss medical and scientific problems
  3. Organise post-graduate courses and encourage participation by family physicians
  4. Teach family medicine to undergraduate and post-graduate students
  5. Promote and maintain standards in family medicine
  6. Encourage and assist young people in preparing and establishing themselves in family practice
  7. Preserve the right of family physicians to engage in procedures that they are qualified to do
  8. Provide and support academic posts and programmes in family medicine
  9. Bestow accreditations in recognition of proficiency in family medicine

OUR HISTORY

Milestones

30 June 1971. The College of General Practitioners Singapore was officially inaugurated.

5 November 1972. The first examination for diplomate membership, the M.C.G.P., was held. This was the first post-graduate examination for family medicine to be conducted in Singapore.

1 March 1973. The first issue of ‘The G.P.’ was published. This was the journal of the College. The name of the publication was changed to ‘The Singapore Family Physician’ in 1975.

1 July 1974. Dr. Benjamin A. Sheares, the late President of Singapore became the Patron of the College. The M.C.G.P. was recognised by the Singapore Medical Council as a registrable post-graduate medical qualification.

1978. The Sreenivasan Oration was established to perpetuate the memory of the founder President and his contribution to the College.

20 May 1983. The College hosted the Tenth WONCA World Conference on family medicine in Singapore.

9 December 1985. A memorandum was submitted by the College to the Ministry of Health proposing a vocational training programme for doctors intending to pursue a career in family medicine.

13 February 1987. Family medicine was recognised as a distinct academic discipline in medicine after much persistence and hard work by College members. The Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine was formed in the National University of Singapore. The Undergraduate Teaching Committee of the College would work closely with the Department in the teaching of family medicine in the University.

15 August 1987. The College premises was moved to the College of Medicine Building. It was officially opened by the former Minister of Health, Mr. Howe Yoon Chong.

19 October 1987. The Post-graduate Medical Library which was jointly set up with the Academy of Medicine was officially opened.

12 November 1988. The First Annual Scientific Conference and Meditech Exhibition was organised by the College.

1988. The Steering Committee on Family Medicine Training was formed. This was a tripartite body comprising the College, the Ministry of Health and the Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine.

February 1991. A Memorandum proposing the institution of a masters degree in family medicine was submitted to the School of Postgraduate Medical Studies by the Steering Committee on Family Medicine Training.

26 November 1992. A memorandum proposing an advanced training programme for family medicine was submitted to the Singapore Medical Council and the School of Postgraduate Medical Studies.

1992. The 15th and final M.C.G.P. examination and conferment was held.

1993. The College was appointed by the Singapore Medical Council to administer the Singapore Medical Council-Continuing Medical Education Programme.


12 July 1993. The first Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) examination was held.

17 November 1993. The name of the College of General Practitioners Singapore was officially changed to ‘College of Family Physicians Singapore’.

1999. The College Internet Project was launched.

2000. The College launched the first course in the Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine.

2004. The College launched the first course in the College Professional Development Programme (CPDP) leading to the award of MCFP, Singapore

 

THE 21st COUNCIL (2007-2009)

President A/Prof Goh Lee Gan
Vice President A/Prof Cheong Pak Yean

Censor–in–Chief

 Dr Lee Kheng Hock
Honorary Secretary Dr Cheng Heng Lee
Honorary Treasurer Dr Lim Fong Seng
Honorary Editor Dr Ng Chee Lian Lawerence
Council Members

Dr Chow Mun Hong
Dr Ee Guan Liang Adrian
Dr Lew Yii Jen
Dr Ng Chee Lian Lawrence
Dr Pang Sze Kang Jonathan
Dr Rukshini Puvanendran
Dr Wong Tack Keong Michael

FUNCTIONS OF COLLEGE

The College of Family Physician Singapore represents family physicians and the discipline of Family Medicine in Singapore. The College work closely with Government departments, especially the Ministry of Health, the National University of Singapore, other professional bodies as well as with the general public.

In the international scene, the College is an active member of WONCA (World Organisation of National Academies and Colleges of General Practice) and has a close working relationship with the colleges and academies representing family physicians in various countries. There are six standing committees that handle the main areas of work of the College.
The 6 College Committees:

The Continuing Medical Education Committee
Encouraging and providing continuing education to doctors is an important activity of the College. The committee works to ensure that the standard of family medicine in Singapore remains high and family physicians are up to date in their skill and knowledge. The committee supports the voluntary CME accreditation programme that is in place in Singapore.

The Undergraduate Teaching Committee
The College is actively involved in the training of medical undergraduates. The committee works closely with the Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine of the National University of Singapore. A programme whereby medical students are posted to the clinics of family physician tutors, is an important component of the teaching process.


The Publication Committee
It is responsible for the publication of the Singapore Family Physician which is the official scientific journal of family physicians in Singapore. This is a quarterly publication. The College Newsletter reflects the activities of the College and the work of family physicians.

The Finance Committee
This committee works to ensure that the College have sufficient funds to further its objectives (see mission statement). The College is an independent institution of public character and does not receive funding from the government.


The Research and Information Committee
An important objective of this committee is to encourage and assist research in family medicine. Research projects are also undertaken. It work closely with the Ministry, other medical organisations and the pharmaceutical industry in various research projects that are relevant to family medicine. The committee is also responsible for information technology applications in family medicine such as the College Internet Project.

The Practice Management Committee
The committee is responsible for studying and recommending ways of improving the management of clinics. Use of information technology in the clinics, clinical guidelines and auditing are important areas of work for this committee.