1.  Team-based Care Evaluation Study

In July 2022, SingHealth Polyclinics piloted 'My Care Team' (MCT), a team-based care model that focused on providing comprehensive and coordinated care for patients with chronic conditions. This mixed-methods study at two SingHealth Polyclinics aims to understand the barriers and facilitators to implementing team-based care in the primary care setting, and to provide recommendations to further improve this care model.

2.  Hypertension Qualitative Study

Despite established clinical practice guidelines and effective treatment options, the prevalence of hypertension is increasing globally and in Singapore, and the proportion of patients with uncontrolled BP remains high. This exploratory study attempts to identify the possible causes from the healthcare professionals' perspectives. This study uses a qualitative methodology to explore the challenges faced by primary care doctors, nurses and pharmacists when managing patients with hypertension.

3.  IMCWH Evaluation Study

The Integrated Maternal and Child Wellness Hub (IMCWH) programme was introduced at Punggol Polyclinic in 2020 to enhance and strengthen maternal and child wellness. As the integrated care for mother-child dyads model was found to be favourable, the programme was expanded to additional SingHealth polyclinics in 2023. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of the IMCWH programme to provide key insights on improving the programme delivery. We also aim to explore the barriers and facilitators to implementing the programme (process evaluation).

4.  Weight Management Programme Implementation Study

SingHealth Polyclinics is planning to introduce an evidence-based weight management programme (SHP WMP) to help with weight management of overweight or obese patients. The research team aims to conduct a preliminary study to identify potential barriers and facilitators to implementing the complex weight management programme from the perspectives of the healthcare professionals. The findings from this study will help inform the development of tailored implementation strategies before the programme gets implemented in the polyclinics. 

5.  Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) Feasibility Study

ABPM has been recommended as a more accurate way to diagnose resistant, white-coat, masked, and other phenotypes of hypertension. However, ABPM is currently only available in hospitals. This study explores whether it is feasible to implement ABPM in the primary care setting. We are also testing three wearable ABPM devices (cuff, wrist and chest) in this study. This study is conducted in collaboration with researchers from National Heart Centre Singapore and Chinese University of Hong Kong.

6.  PACE-It Programme Evaluation Study

PACE-It (PrimAry CarE Based Integrated Community Care Team) is designed to provide coordinated care between health and social care for patients with complex needs attending SingHealth Polyclinics in Singapore. The programme was developed based on the Innovative Care for Chronic Condition theory. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the PACE-It programme based on the RE-AIM framework and investigates the barriers and facilitators to implementing the programme based on the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Disease (TICD) framework.

7.  PACE-It App Evaluation Study

The PACE-It App is a mobile application that facilitates communication among the healthcare providers from SingHealth Polyclinics and its social care partners who are managing patients with complex needs. The study investigates the perspectives and experiences of decision makers, the app developers, and the users so that lessons learnt could contribute towards future health apps. This study involves collaborators from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, Australia.

8.  Diffuse Speckle Pulsatile Flowmetry (DSPF) Study

This study aims to assess the accuracy of using the DSPF technology combined with machine learning models to measure BP in patients attending in the primary care setting. It has the potential to be developed into a more accurate, accessible and cheaper BP measurement device. This study involves collaborators from the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR.

9.  Palliative Care in Primary Care Study

The number of people living with life-limiting illnesses requiring palliative care need is increasing due to the rapidly ageing population and those with chronic illnesses. Primary care is recognized as a potential healthcare setting to implement palliative care. This study explores primary care physicians' readiness to adopt palliative care in their routine practice.

For more information, please contact the EmPaTHy secretariat at empathy@singhealth.com.sg.