With an aging population, there is an increasing need for more professional healthcare providers. Ms Theresa Cheong, Head of Allied Health Sciences, EASB tells JobsCentral more about jobs in the healthcare industry.

1) How many allied health professionals are in shortage in Singapore at the moment? What is the estimated figure to be like in the next few years?

We have about 800 physiotherapists and this figure on a per population basis is way behind that of HK and Australia. The HK standard is 1 per 30,000 population, and Australia 1 to 10000 to 12000 population.

The comparative ratio for Singapore is 1 per 50,000 persons based on a population of four million. We will need another 500 physiotherapists to bring the comparative ratio down to 1 in 30,770.

2) Why is there a shortage of allied health professionals? Is this issue simply exclusive to Singapore?

This shortage is worldwide and not exclusive to Singapore. In Singapore, we are facing an increasing demand for Specialist Healthcare services and professionals because of the problems associated with a rapidly ageing population.

Statistics showed that residents aged 65 and above increased from 6.8% of Singapore’s population in 1998 to 8.7% in 2008. By 2020, those aged 65 and above will double to 20% of the population.

Besides the elderly, more school children have or are receiving psychiatric treatment in Singapore as a result of school and exam stress and parents’ high expectations of them.

According to the Singapore Ministry of Health’s report, close to 9% of the adult population suffer from depression and about 6% of the elderly who are above 65 years are affected with depression. The survey also showed that in 2001, more than 20,000 children also received psychiatric treatment in Singapore as a result of school and exam stress, exacerbated by high expectations from their parents to obtain top grades.

This demand of allied health professional service is further accelerated by Singapore’s rising eminence as a regional medical hub.

3) What can the industry do to attract more healthcare professionals?

Firstly, I believe the industry needs to be upgraded to attract healthcare professionals who share the desire for quality and exceptional customer service, a value for achievement and compassion, and a passion to continuously improve the skills and knowledge in the industry.

The industry should upgrade the healthcare profession to a degree level from diploma level, to elevate the status of this profession.

At EASB, we have partnered with Queen Margaret University (QMU) – by providing Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing currently in place, and BSc Hons. Physiotherapy to be launched soon, Bsc Hons in Occupational Therapy and Bsc Hons Psychology with University of Wales, Cardiff.

4) What are some of the future skills healthcare professionals would need in the future?

In light with the ageing population, more specialist health-care skilled workers are required with skills to meet the diverse needs of patients, as well as those requiring psychological services as the younger population faces more stress.

In the light of this trend, Singapore needs not only more registered nurses, but more specialised nurses who provide patient care and medical knowledge as well as skills in equipment facilities management and ward management.

Physiotherapists are especially in high demand in the geriatric setting. We will need to skew our education focus to care for an aging population in the near future.
Physical therapists, also known as physiotherapists, treat a wide range of disabilities resulting from disease, aging, injury and sports.

Occupational therapists work with people with difficulties in leading normal and independent lifestyles due to old age, physical injuries, emotional disorders, and development disabilities. Such therapists assess, restore and retrain the physical, mental and social abilities of people.

5) What skills are they lacking now?

Please refer to Answer 4.

6) What level of education is required for a healthcare professional now? How will this change in the future?

Presently, the education level required for a healthcare professional is a Diploma level.

The change in the future is to have more competent and qualified professionals, and the only way is to upgrade this level to healthcare providers to have degrees such as bachelors degrees and Masters degrees – to raise the profile and professionalism of this industry.

7) What is a typical career path of a healthcare professional in Singapore like and how is this changing?

The typical career path of a healthcare professional in Singapore is to enter the industry from a Diploma or Degree level to gain working experience, before moving to more Senior positions in areas of specialization.

8) What are some emerging trends in the healthcare industry that will shape the work of a healthcare professional in the future?

The healthcare trends are towards greater professionalism in healthcare services. As the Singapore population becomes more affluent and better educated, there will be more demand for higher level healthcare services and as the population ages, there will be more demand for specialised geriatric care.

Hence, there will be an increasing need for better-qualified and trained professionals and greater specialization to meet the rising expectations and changing profiles of our population.

9) Will EASB’s students be trained help the growing aging population in Singapore?

Yes indeed.

Currently EASB provides the BSc Degree in Professional Practice- Nursing, Dip, Adv, Dip and Specialist Dip in Psychology – currently running and Bsc Hons in Psychology – in collaboration with University of Wales Institute, Cardiff next year .EASB is planning to introduce courses in Bsc Hons Physiotherapy this year and Bsc Hons in Occupational therapy next year.