Bioethics

27 Jun 2024

Aims of the program

The Bioethics program was set up in recognition of ethics as a critical component in the practice of medicine. As medicine becomes more complex, the training is necessary to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and attitudes on what to do and what not to do, and how to make professionally defensible decisions based on relevant ethical principles and values. Coupled with changes in the professional education continuation landscape, there is a growing emphasis on developing ethics knowledge and competency. From 2024, doctors must attain 5 continuing medical education points in ethics-related courses biennially for their professional license renewal. The ethical practice of medicine will preserve the trust invested in our healthcare professionals and reinforces our commitment to person-centered care.

Leadership and expertise 

Clin Asst Prof Peter Chow Chiu Leung is a geriatrician at Changi General Hospital and has a Masters degree in Bioethics and Law. He is chair of the Changi General Hospital Bioethics Committee and is the Deputy Director of the Singapore Medical association Centre of Medical Ethics and Professionalism. 

Dr Crystal Lim is a master social work with expertise in transplant ethics. She serves as faculty in the undergraduate education program at Duke-NUS medical schools teaching ethics, professionalism and communication skills. She is also a member of the Singapore General Hospital Bioethics Committee 

Dr Voo Teck Chuan is trained in philosophy, bioethics methods, and medical jurisprudence, Dr Voo Teck Chuan was a faculty member at the National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Centre for Biomedical Ethics from 2007-2023. He is currently the Head of the SingHealth Office of Ethics in Healthcare. 

Scope of the Program 

The focus of the program is in training clinical and research ethics. This is done through blended approach using online learning, webinars, courses and case discussions. In addition, the institute is collaborating with the SingHealth Office of Ethics in Healthcare to develop a cluster-wide ethics network. The network will facilitate collaboration and pooling of best practices. The program will also develop guidance documents for areas of ethics where such guidelines are unavailable. An example would be the ethical healthcare management of migrant workers.