Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
February 1, 2025
Medicine is often described as an apprenticeship profession, a field where knowledge is passed down from one generation to the next. In Singapore, where the healthcare system is both demanding and highly specialized, mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping the skills, confidence, and career paths of young doctors.
From medical school to clinical practice, experienced physicians serve as guides, helping junior doctors navigate the complexities of patient care, research, and professional development. More than just technical training, these relationships provide emotional support, career direction, and leadership skills, ensuring that Singapore’s next generation of doctors is not only competent but also resilient.
For many doctors, mentorship is more than just a helping hand. Tt can be the defining influence in their careers. Dr. Tan Eng King, a senior consultant at the National Neuroscience Institute, has spent years mentoring young doctors, helping them bridge the gap between medical school and real-world practice.
One of his mentees, Jazreel Low, was a medical student at Duke-NUS Medical School when she developed an interest in neurology and clinical research. Under Dr. Tan’s guidance, she worked on a groundbreaking study on caffeine dependence and Parkinson’s disease, which helped her build a strong foundation for her future in medicine.
For young doctors, experiences like these are more than just academic exercise; they are opportunities to develop critical thinking, confidence, and the ability to make informed medical decisions. The impact of mentorship extends far beyond the classroom, shaping how doctors approach their careers and patient care (Source).
The journey to becoming a doctor is demanding, both mentally and physically. Long hours, high-stakes decisions, and the emotional weight of patient care can take a toll on young professionals. This is where mentorship becomes more than just guidance—it becomes a lifeline.
A study from the National University of Singapore highlights that mentorship plays a significant role in reducing burnout and job dissatisfaction among junior doctors. Having an experienced mentor provides a sense of stability, offering practical advice, reassurance, and a space to discuss challenges openly.
For many young doctors, knowing they have someone to turn to—whether for clinical advice or simply for encouragement—makes a crucial difference in their well-being and career longevity (Source).
Singapore’s healthcare system recognizes the value of structured mentorship programs. Many hospitals now have formal mentoring initiatives, pairing junior doctors with experienced professionals to ensure ongoing learning and support.
Some mentorship models, particularly in palliative care and specialized fields, also emphasize peer mentoring, where junior doctors guide medical students under the supervision of senior physicians. This creates a continuous cycle of learning, ensuring that knowledge is not just transferred but refined and adapted to the evolving medical landscape.
Programs like these do more than just train new doctors; they help build a culture of collaboration, resilience, and excellence within Singapore’s medical community.
Every doctor in Singapore has, at some point, learned from someone more experienced. Mentorship is not just about passing down knowledge—it is about shaping confident, skilled, and compassionate doctors.
As experienced physicians continue to invest in the next generation, the quality of Singapore’s healthcare system remains strong, ensuring that future doctors are not only well-trained but also well-supported. In a profession where learning never stops, mentorship remains one of the most valuable tools in medicine.
Join our weekly digest and be the first one to know about new articles.
