Psychiatry Fellowship Program in Women’s Mental Health and Child & Adolescent Mental Wellness

I About The Programme
II Assessment and Evaluation
III Target Audience and Eligibility Requirements
IV Other Information

I About The Programme

Name of Programme

Psychiatry Fellowship Program in Women’s Mental Health and Child & Adolescent Mental Wellness

Overview

The Psychiatry Fellowship Program at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) will focus on Women’s Mental Wellness (WMW) and Child & Adolescent Mental Wellness (CAMW). This program will position KKH as a regional leader in training subspecialists equipped to address complex intergenerational mental health challenges across the reproductive and developmental lifespan.

The fellowship will also be designed to host foreign-trained psychiatrists under the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) Temporary Registration pathway, thus supporting international collaboration and capacity-building.

The fellow will be attached to the Department of Psychological Medicine, which offers exposure to consultation liaison in women’s mental health, perinatal psychiatry, and child & adolescent mental wellness. Fellows are expected to participate in educational programs, fulfill clinical skills development, maintain case logs, assist in teaching, and initiate aresearch or quality improvement project. Individual training objectives will be discussed with supervisors at the start of the fellowship. Mid-point and final assessments are required.

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Aim of Programme

Objectives

• Develop clinical competency in Women’s Mental Wellness (WMW) and in Child & Adolescent Mental Wellness Service (CAMWS)
• Gain experience in multidisciplinary, emergency setting and trauma-informed care
• Opportunity to contribute to research, teaching, or quality improvement initiatives

Clinical Domains

• Perinatal Psychiatry
• Reproductive Psychiatry
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Infant Mental Health

Duration of Programme

12 months

Number of Training Places

2 trainees at any one time, with no fixed intake month.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of training, fellows should be able to

• Comprehensively assess and manage psychiatric cases.
• Independently develop and lead treatment plans.
• Deliver quality care across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Engage in longitudinal care and clinic management.
• Apply psychotherapeutic principles in clinical care.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and community services.

Content Areas

Areas of competency include:

Women’s & Perinatal Psychiatry:

• Psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and postpartum
• Psychotropic use in pregnancy/lactation
• Liaison with Ob-Gyn teams
• Premenstrual, peri-menopausal, and gynae-oncology related disorders
• Preconception counselling

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry:

• Diagnostic interview and Mental State Examination
• Risk assessment and multidisciplinary care
• Consultation liaison in Pediatrics
• Learning disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, emotional and psychotic conditions
• Child psychopharmacology and psychotherapy

Training Method

Clinical Practicum

• 2–3 outpatient clinics per week per specialty, with supervision
• Inpatient consultation liaison (Ob-Gyn and Pediatrics)
• Participation in parenting workshops

Caseload Expectations

• At least 10 peripartum management cases + 10 generic child and adolescent psychiatry cases
• One complex child psychiatry case with multi-agency involvement

Supervisory Method

• Minimum of 2 individual supervision sessions per month per specialty
• Participation in at least 5 peer group psychotherapy supervision sessions
• The trainee would be supervised at all times by a SMC approved supervisor from the Department of Psychological Medicine.

Team of Experts

 
II Assessment and Evaluation

Aims of Assessment

Fellows will need to demonstrate their proficiency level in the following aspects:

(A) Patient Care

     Fellow demonstrates proficiency when they:

• Perform comprehensive, developmentally and culturally appropriate assessments.
• Formulate accurate diagnoses and individualized treatment plans.
• Provide safe, compassionate, trauma-informed care to women and children.
• Appropriately use pharmacological and psychotherapeutic modalities.
• Monitor patient outcomes and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
• Demonstrate clinical judgment in high-risk or complex scenarios (e.g., perinatal suicidality, child protection concerns).
• Communicate with patients and families in a supportive, clear, and respectful manner.

(B) Medical Knowledge

     Fellow demonstrates proficiency when they:

• Exhibit deep knowledge of key topics in perinatal, reproductive, and child/adolescent psychiatry.
• Apply evidence-based medicine in clinical decision-making.
• Understand and explain psychopharmacology (including use during pregnancy, lactation, and in children).
• Demonstrate familiarity with psychiatric comorbidities across the reproductive and developmental lifespan.
• Stay up-to-date with current research, national guidelines, and relevant journal literature.

(C) Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

    Fellow demonstrates proficiency when they:

• Engage in reflective practice and self-assessment to identify areas for improvement.
• Seek and incorporate feedback into clinical work.
• Participate in quality improvement or audit projects.
• Present at journal clubs or case discussions with critical analysis of evidence.
• Demonstrate initiative in teaching or mentoring junior staff or students.
• Use clinical logbooks, case discussions, and supervision to track learning goals and progress.

(D) Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Fellow demonstrates proficiency when they:

• Build therapeutic rapport with diverse patients and families.
• Communicate clearly and compassionately, including breaking bad news.
• Demonstrate active listening, empathy, and respect for differing views.
• Coordinate care effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including allied health, paediatrics, ob-gyn, and community partners.
• Deliver professional verbal and written communication (e.g., documentation, reports, referrals).
  

(E) Professionalism

Fellow demonstrates proficiency when they:

• Consistently uphold ethical principles and patient confidentiality.
• Are punctual, reliable, and prepared for clinical and educational activities.
• Maintain professional boundaries in all patient and staff interactions.
• Acknowledge limitations and seek supervision appropriately.
• Exhibit respect, cultural sensitivity, and accountability in all settings.
• Handle challenging situations (e.g. conflict, feedback, complaints) with maturity and grace.
  

(F) Systems-Based Practice (System-Banded Care)

Fellow demonstrates proficiency when they:

• Understand and navigate healthcare systems relevant to maternal and child mental health.
• Collaborate effectively with MOH, MSF, VWOs, schools, and other institutions.
• Recognize barriers to care and work to address systemic gaps or inequities.
• Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary meetings, and discharge planning.
• Understand medico-legal issues and documentation standards (e.g., blue-letter responses, risk protocols).
• Advocate for patient-centered and integrated models of care.

The subject competencies are as follows:

1)     Women’s & Perinatal Psychiatry:

• Psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and postpartum
• Psychotropic use in pregnancy/lactation
• Liaison with Ob-Gyn teams
• Premenstrual, peri-menopausal, and gynae-oncology related disorders
• Preconception counselling

2)    Child & Adolescent Psychiatry:

• Diagnostic interview and MSE
• Risk assessment and multidisciplinary care
• Consultation liaison in paediatrics
• Learning disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, emotional and psychotic conditions
• Child psychopharmacology and psychotherapy

Assessment approaches

• Quarterly performance reviews (via 360o input assessment from colleagues including allied health/admin x 10)
• Supervisor evaluations monthly
• Teaching and case logbook
• Exit presentation or viva – able to show proficiency level in all aspects of care

Evaluation Process

The general overall grading system evaluates the fellow’s performance upon completion of the fellowship programme. All fellows will be given a general overall grading status at the end of the fellowship programme based on the grading criteria requirements incorporating the six competencies based knowledge, skills and performance that fellows must demonstrate throughout the programme.

Options for fellows who were graded with a (USP) for unsatisfactory performance

1. Remediation Plan

If the issues are identified early (e.g. before the final 3 months), the following provides for a structured remediation pathway, which includes:

• Targeted Supervision: Additional weekly meetings to address weak domains
• Learning Plan: Personalized goals with defined timelines
• Documentation: Log of remediation progress and mid-remediation review
• Supervisor Review: Decision on whether fellow meets minimum standards post-remediation

This option is suitable for :

• Fellows showing insight and willingness to improve
• Performance gaps in ≤2 domains

• Approval by Fellowship Committee
• Continued hosting availability
• Defined performance objectives during extension period

3. Termination of Fellowship

If the fellow:

• Endangers patient safety
• Repeatedly violates professional conduct
• Demonstrates persistent failure to respond to remediation

Then early termination may be initiated via:

• Formal documentation of issues
• Final review by Fellowship Director and Clinical Head
• Reporting to Singapore Medical Council (if on Temporary Registration)

4. Appeal Process

Fellows graded USP may request a review of grading decision within 14 working days by submitting:

• Written appeal outlining grounds
• Supporting documents or reflections

A neutral appeal panel (not directly supervising the fellow) will make a final determination.

5. Eligibility for Future Reapplication

Depending on the nature of underperformance, the institution may:

• Recommend a cooling-off period (e.g. 1–2 years)
• Offer conditional eligibility for future application
• Require additional external upskilling or certification

III Target Audience and Eligibility Requirements

Target Audience

Primary Target Audience:

Foreign-Trained Medical Doctors or Psychiatrists

• Possess a medical degree recognized by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).
• Have completed basic medical training and relevant psychiatric residency or equivalent (e.g., MRCPsych or national boards).
• Seeking specialist-level exposure in Singapore in Women’s Mental Health or Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
• May be preparing for specialist accreditation in their home countries or interested in pursuing further training in Singapore.

Additional Suitable Candidates:

• International fellows sponsored by overseas medical institutions or governments for upskilling in a tertiary academic hospital.

Preferred Attributes:

• Prior exposure to psychiatry rotations, especially in maternal or child/adolescent mental health.
• Demonstrated interest in psychosocial or multidisciplinary models of care.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to complete the 12 month program and participate in clinical, educational, and research activities.

The doctor must:

• have a basic medical degree from an accredited medical university or medical school;
• have passed the relevant national licensing examination in the country of conferment of basic degree, where applicable;
• have evidence of at least 12 months housemanship / internship with a certificate of satisfactory completion of housemanship or equivalent;
• be registered as a medical practitioner in the country where he is currently practising; and
• be certified to be of good standing by the Medical Council or the relevant national authority.

In addition to the above criteria, to be eligible for temporary registration as a Clinical Fellow, the doctor must:

• have a minimum of 3 years of working experience as a medical officer (or equivalent);
• fulfil English Language requirements of SMC if the medium of instruction for the basic medical qualification is not in English;
• preferably have obtained a postgraduate diploma or medical degree in his country or overseas; 
• be sponsored by (i) the government, or (ii) regional health authority or (iii) an appropriate institution in the home country or (iv) by a grant. For (iii), the doctor must be on current full-time employment (40 hours or more per week) with the sponsoring institution. For (iv), the grant details specific for the clinical fellowship program will be under the Temasek program. 

As a Clinical Fellow, the doctor is allowed to be involved in patient care and make entries in patients' case notes, communicate care plans to patients and fellow healthcare professionals, and perform procedures under direct supervision or Level 1 supervision under SMC’s Supervisory Framework

IV Other Information

Course Fees

Details will be provided upon acceptance.

Funding Requirements
Applicants must be self-funded or financially supported by their institution, or a third party organization.

They will need a sponsor from:

1. Their government,
2. A regional health authority, or
3. A recognised institution in their home country.

For institutional sponsorship (3), applicants must be employed full-time (≥40 hours/week) by the sponsoring body.

Sponsorship need not be financial, but must indicate institutional endorsement and a guarantee of position upon return.

Certification
A certificate may be awarded upon successful cmpletion of the programme, subject to the discretion of the Head of Department or Service.