Training & Fellowships

Neonatology

Overview

For more information on Neonatology, please click here.

Programme(s)

Clinical Fellowship in Neonatal Intensive Care Training Programme
Newborn Resuscitation Programme
Neonatal Observership Programme

Clinical Fellowship in Neonatal Intensive Care Training Programme

Objective

Acquire clinical examination and assessment skills and apply these in a neonatal intensive care setting
Acquire all basic technical and advanced life support skills for a sick neonate
Acquire skill in planning care management for sick neonates requiring intensive care
Understand the principles of critical appraisal and research methodology in neonatology

Course Contents

This programme provides fellows with clinical training in neonatal intensive care. On completion of the training programme, fellows would have acquired sufficient theoretical knowledge and clinical skills that will enable them to independently manage babies requiring Level 3 Neonatal care. The fellow will eventually practice neonatal intensive care that is evidence-based and tempered with the art of medicine.

Method

Training is obtained through:

Active participation under supervision in all aspects of patient care. This involves being the first doctor to evaluate the child and initiate immediate care both in the wards and in the delivery room. This is followed by participation in the twice daily ward rounds in the intensive and special care nurseries. Fellows are required to evaluate patients and offer management decisions. The emphasis is on objective evaluation of patient data and management is to be evidence-based. The Fellow will also be rostered to attend the Birth Defect Clinic, High Risk Perinatal Consultation rounds and Long-term growth & development clinics. Training will also be given in the field of Newborn Screening programmes (G6PD, Congenital Hypothyroidism, Universal Newborn Hearing, IEM).
Opportunity to become proficient in the performance of the following procedures: Obtaining vascular access through arterial puncture, percutaneous venous, peripheral arterial, umbilical arterial and umbilical venous catheterization and percutaneous longline insertion, Ventilation with a mask, Endotracheal intubation, tracheal aspiration, chest physiotherapy and chest tube placement; Suprapubic bladder aspiration; and the setting up and operation of a ventilator. Training includes ordering of Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition, Mechanical ventilation, Exogenous Surfactant treatment, Nasal-Prong CPAP, Non-invasive Ventilation and INO therapy. Trainees will maintain and submit a logbook three-monthly for certification. Opportunities abound for learning under close supervision, higher order practical skills like decision making in the management of extremely low birth weight babies, micropremies and those with multi system disease, the use of cerebral ultrasonography and;. Duties and responsibilities that are assigned will enable them to develop an understanding of the ethical and psychosocial aspects, organisation and administration, and the audit of neonatal care.
Formal tutorials which take place during the orientation programme held at the beginning of each posting and this would be for a period of 3 weeks. Through these lectures we introduce the common neonatal diseases and their practical management. Theoretical and practical training on resuscitation of the newborn infant will be given. After four to six weeks the candidate need to undergo a theory and practical test and will be formally certified to do neonatal resuscitation. The department’s teaching activities include CME lectures, core lectures, journal clubs; X-ray round and mortality/morbidity meetings, clinical teaching sessions and quarterly combined neonatal meetings.
Outpatient provision of well baby care and the long-term follow-up of babies who were unwell in the neonatal period and who are at risk for growth and developmental abnormalities. Senior staff members provide broad directions in the management, supervise the care that is being extended and are available for immediate consultations.
Research exposure for trainees is obtained through assisting senior staff in their research projects. This involves participation in any of the following stages: defining objectives, designing the study, obtaining data and analysis and presentation of results. They will also be involved in taking part in prospective and retrospective audits.

For Whom

The fellows will be full time residents in the Department working under the supervision of Consultants/Assoc Consultants. They will be assisted by Registrars. Each fellow will have periods of mentoring by the Consultants and Associate Consultants. The Fellow will be rostered on a monthly basis to the NICU, Special Care Nursery, MRSA Isolation Nursery and Level 1 Nurseries and will be functioning at a junior doctor (medical officer level) under close supervision.

Pre-requisite

Basic medical degree - MBBS or equivalent
Postgraduate medical Degree or Diploma in Paediatrics from the home country
- As a minimum a potential fellow should have obtained prior experience in managing neonates presenting to a general practitioner and is competent in basic neonatal resuscitation and clinical procedures

Duration

The duration of training is for a period of one year.

Training Dates/Period

Anytime

Certification

A formal certificate signed by the Head of Department, Division Chairman and Chairman, Medical Board of the hospital will be given to the candidate upon successful completion of training. The Department of Neonatology has trained quite a number of Fellows from the ASEAN region and beyond invites those candidates who have a passion for neonatology to join us in rendering excellent care to the sick newborn and with its long experience in providing postgraduate training looks forward to assisting the prospective fellow in his/her career development

Positions / Training Places

One to two positions available

Course Fee

Administration & Processing Fee: SGD$150
Fellowship Fees: SGD$1,000 per month

For hands-on fellowship, Singapore Medical Council (SMC) registration and medical indemnity coverage are required.
SMC Application Fees: SGD$180 (approximate, correct as of January 2009)
Indemnity Coverage (by MPS): SGD$490 (approximate, correct as of January 2009)

Funding

Candidates should be self-funded or have funding from external sources/institutions.

Contact of Organiser / Institution

Head of Department
Department of Neonatology
Division of Medicine
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Newborn Resuscitation Programme

Objective

To give hands on training regarding assessment of a newborn infant depressed at birth and teach them the sequence of resuscitation

Course Contents

Causes of asphyxia neonatorum, equipment needed for resuscitation, bag ana dmask ventilation, cardiac massage, endotracheal intubation and IPPR. Hands on practice using baby mannequin

Method

Lecture on neonatal resuscitation and neonatal asphyxia.
Hands on practice using baby mannequin

For Whom

Paediatricians
Nurses in intensive care and special care, delivery room and paramedics

Pre-requisite

Healthcare professional

Duration

From one to six months (variable depending on the funding from the home country)

Training Dates/Period

Three times / year
First week of May, August and November

Certification

A formal certificate signed by the Head of Department and trainer

Positions / Training Places

15 places

Course Fee

SGD$100/-

Funding

Self-funded

Contact of Organiser / Institution

Dr Melissa Batilando & Dr Quek Bin Huey
Department of Neonatology
Division of Medicine
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Neonatal Observership Programme

Objective

To enhance the learning of neonatal intensive care, special care and various newborn screening programmes

Course Contents

Orientation – Two weeks
Resuscitation course and credentialling
Weekly Birth Defect Clinic and High Risk Consult
Weekly clinical case discussion
Weekly mortality / morbidity rounds
Weekly journal club
Mentoring and accreditation for practical procedures

Method

Attachment in NICU, SCN and PW.
No hands-on training involved

For Whom

Foreign Paediatricians

Pre-requisite

Postgraduate degree or diploma in paediatrics

Duration

From one to six months (variable depending on the funding from the home country)

Training Dates/Period

Anytime

Certification

A formal certificate signed by the Head of Department, Division Chairman and Chairman, Medical Board of the hospital will be given to the candidate upon successful completion of training