Studying Podiatry in Brisbane

Many a times, when you ask someone from the health sector the reason for them joining this industry, you will often hear them say that it is the desire to care for somebody that draws them in. Cliché as it may sound; I too am drawn into healthcare for this simple reason. It makes me happy being able to make a difference in people’s lives, no matter how small it may seem. Doing podiatry has helped me to appreciate how hard our feet have worked for us, and the importance of good foot health. According to Pro Foot Centre.com, the total forces acting on our feet can amount to hundreds of tons, equivalent to an average of a fully loaded cement truck during an average day of walking. The very fact that it is an area of care where many people tend to neglect makes me want to pursue podiatry even more.

The opportunity to study in Australia has been quite an experience! The biggest challenge for me is learning to step out of my comfort zone and to be independent. Engaging in their culture is something that I have to actively take initiative in. Speaking is one barrier I have learnt to overcome; it is one thing for you to understand them and another for them to understand you. As you know, we have a really cool Singaporean accent and we all grow up speaking Singlish! I fondly remember some of the awkward conversations that I had with the locals when I first arrived in Brisbane.

The next best thing is definitely the good friends that I have made here. Being miles away from home, it is comforting to have a group of friends who is always there to support you. It makes living abroad much easier and more enriching. Cooking is one passion that binds us together. My friends and I would try out different recipes and cook for each other, and explore new places for good food and coffee together. On top of that, we get to travel around Australia together during our holidays.

Things I love about Australia.

The weather is beautiful. During sunny days, the weather is just perfect for you to sit outside because the air is cool and crisp.  During winter, you can rock up a thick jacket and a pair of woolly boots, an experience you can never have living in the hot and humid Singapore.

Groceries shopping: Every Saturday is a faithful routine to the weekend market to get fresh fruits and vegetables.  Seeing the array of finely picked and colourful vegetables makes it even more tempting to whip up new dishes! Every Wednesday, we will check out the supermarket weekly catalogue for specials and discounts for certain items. I love the idea of weekly catalogue; it makes me look forward to doing groceries shopping each week. The discount here is fabulous; it can go as high as half price on certain items. I guess no matter where you are in the world, each and every one of us will still have the essence that makes us Singaporeans.

Imagine walking into a bakery filled with the aroma of freshly baked loaves and coffee at the start of the day. It is a great way to start your day! Coffee drinking is part of the Aussie culture with new cafes sprouting out at every corner of the street. One will find the tiniest bit of excuse to get the freshly brewed fragrant coffee even when you are wide awake.

All in all, being awarded the scholarship has provided me with this fantastic opportunity to pursue my passion in healthcare. Truly I hope to see more people joining this industry, from the young people fresh from junior colleges and polytechnics as well as those looking for a career change. Having only a year left in the university, I am looking forward to begin the next chapter in my life in Singapore’s health industry, I am hopeful that the experiences gleaned from my training in university as well living abroad independently will enable me to render the best help that I can to my patients and to give back to the community. 

Written by:
Jia Wei Neo
Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Podiatry

SGH Speech Therapist - Brian So

Brian So considered himself lucky that during his junior college days, he had the opportunity to be part of an induction programme that allowed him to shadow various Allied Health professionals in a hospital setting. That was how his interest in speech therapy was ignited, as the speech therapist he was on attachment with was very passionate about her work, leaving a deep impression on Brian. He applied for a Ministry of Health scholarship and studied speech therapy at the University of Sydney in Australia. After four years of study, Brian joined Singapore General Hospital (SGH), an institution under the SingHealth Group, in 2007. Brian had to adjust to the local context in the initial period after returning to Singapore. “During my clinical attachments in Australia, the patients I saw communicated mainly in English,” said Brian. “When I came back to practise in SGH, I had to manage many Chinese and dialectspeaking patients, which meant relearning my Chinese language and dialects all over again.”

In his day to day work, Brian helps children with speech and language problems, cleft palate and developmental disorders, like autism. “Working with children is very interesting and challenging at the same time,” said Brian. “I once had an 18-month-old child who was diagnosed with a delayed speech and language problem. I used the Hanen programme, a wellknown model of family focused early language intervention for young children with receptive and/or expressive language delays.” Having supportive and committed caregivers and family members also helps. Brian shared that the mother of the 18-month-old child was very committed to the programme and continued to work with her child at home, on what was taught at the hospital. After a few sessions the child started using a few simple words and seeing the child improve was very satisfying for Brian.

Another group of patients that Brian works with are adults with swallowing and/or communication disorders post-stroke, or brought on by conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia. Adults with a voice problem also visit speech therapists for help in restoring the quality of their voice.

However, Brian does have patients who do not follow through with what was recommended and yet expect quick results. Shared Brian, “There was once a patient who felt she was not getting sufficient therapy time and would kick up a fuss during each of my sessions with her. I patiently continued to work with her on the speech programme. After a while she realised that she was being unreasonable and apologised. We always try our best to empathise with the patients as we know the emotional strain and stress a communication disability can cause them and their families.”

Despite this, Brian enjoys what he does and feels the profession is quite misunderstood at times by the public. “We are not ‘speech and drama’ teachers. Speech therapists are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of speech, voice and language disorders. We are also trained to manage older patients suffering from swallowing problems as well as very young children who are unable to feed properly.” He adds, “It is a profession that demands a great deal of patience as results may be apparent only after a long period of time but the satisfaction derived when you successfully achieve the desired results is tremendous.”

Brian So
Senior Speech Therapist
Singapore General Hospital

University - “The best time of your life”

Having completed my A levels in Singapore, I found myself stuck once again. The question of ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’, a classic composition topic, has been avoided since primary school. Back then, I merely gave my teachers the answer they wanted, so that I would do well. 10 years later, I was forced to answer the same question, only that this time, it was not hypothetical. I continued to dwell on that throughout the first few months during my national service, until I experienced knee problems first-hand and undergone physiotherapy. Interest soon set in and it is the focus of my academic career at the moment.

Physiotherapy involves rehabilitation of individuals with impaired mobility to the level of health before their accident/ illness. Although therapeutic massage may be the first words that people tend to think of when they hear ‘physiotherapy’, there are other treatment options including exercises, neuromuscular techniques. It is not restricted to geriatrics, but can also apply to young people in sporting teams and paediatrics as well. In addition, physiotherapists also work closely with people who have had fractures and joint replacements. Exercises are prescribed later on in the rehabilitation stage to improve both strength and endurance.

Granted, it was not one of those courses that my friends were taking- it was not even available in a university in Singapore then, which was where my friends and I envisioned us studying in. Having to go Down Under to pursue my course of study meant leaving the comforts of my family and friends and having to re-establish new relationships with people whose culture I may not fully understand. Yet, I look upon this as an opportunity to explore another country, culture, language, and most importantly, to discover more about myself as a person.

As a student, studies do take the main bulk of my time and once a while, content covered in the semester can be less than manageable. As frustrations began to accumulate, I often questioned myself as to whether the hard work was worthwhile. I understood that that was an inevitable question that people face whether studying or working. Hence, it became very important to constantly remind myself of why I chose the course that I am undertaking. Even as assignments pile up and with exams nearing, it is critical to keep those reasons close by. Nonetheless, I trust that my course mates would agree with me if I said material covered every semester remains very practical and interesting.

With this in mind, I have found my experience in studying in Australia a meaningful one. My struggles to come to face with the fact that I had poor time-management, over-reliance on my family and negativity meant that I had to become a more well- organised, independent, and optimistic person. Change does not come easily for me, and the road to changing a habit is not always a straight forward one. Nevertheless, looking back to when I left my comfort zone to where I am today, the struggles were well worth it. Indeed, positive experiences need not always be pleasant ones.

Studies aside, I strongly encourage everyone to constantly re-examine your progress. Whatever the goal may be, we have to make sure that we are one step ahead than you were before yesterday. When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, it becomes crucial to always remind ourselves as to why we made the decision to study the course that we are in now. If things are not going wrong, it means we are not trying new things. Whether we are studying in Singapore or another country, don’t be afraid to step away from your close-knitted clique for a while and mingle with someone from another culture and be amazed at how similar you and that person can be. Go ahead and explore, and be sure to have fun while keeping up with studies at the same time. I have been told from earlier generations that college is the ‘best time of your life’- I couldn’t agree more.

  
 

Written by:
Dominic Ng
Curtin University
Physiotherapy Year 2 (WA)

7 questions with Lin Wen

1. Why did you choose your course?

I chose to study dietetics because food is such an integral part of our lives. We eat at least 3 main meals a day, and often we do not stop to think about what actually we are putting into our mouths. We are so governed by our hectic schedules that food becomes a silhouette that is more a means of survival, rather than an enjoyable experience.

2. What do you love about your state/Australia/UK?

Melbourne is famous for its coffee culture, so one thing I really love is the widespread availability of coffee here. Also, Melbourne has a really vibrant arts scene, and for an arts lover like myself, I am absolutely thrilled by the idea of festivals and music concerts happening on a regular basis. In addition, I really enjoy the experience of seasons, away from the warm and humid tropics.

3. What are the top 5 items you would bring from Singapore to Australia/UK every semester?

I will definitely bring my personal collection of pens: Mildliner highlighters, Zig markers, Uniball pens, etc, curry and chili powder, my Carebear soft toy, my class of 2011 sweater from school as well as my Polaroid camera. (:

4. Which Singaporean food do you miss the most?

I really miss my bubble tea, which is so ubiquitous in Singapore, yet it is such a rare (and expensive) treat in Melbourne.

5. Which aspect of your course do you like the most?

I really like how involved we get with food, because no one else gets to cook for class (other than chefs I suppose). Learning becomes easier and more fun when you are truly passionate about what you do, and studying about the various foods and cultures of the world is really exciting. I really enjoy cooking and baking, and the next best thing is trying out the food I’ve made.

6. What is one common misconception about your course?

Sometimes, people come up to me and ask me for tips to lose weight, or even blatantly asking, “So you are just going to help people lose weight?” What they do not know, is that dietitians are more of clinical professionals who help with nutritional and eating problems in patients, especially those suffering from diabetes or hypertension, thereby complementing their medical treatments. Helping people lose weight, and that is only if they need to for health reasons, is definitely not our only job scope.

7. What is the most unique food you have tried in Australia/UK?

The most unique Australian food I have tried is kangaroo meat, and while some might gush at me for trying such adorable animals, I must say that they are quite rampant in Australia and kangaroo meat can even be found in supermarkets.

Lin Wen
Monash University
Nutrition and Dietetics Year 1

Why I chose Health Science & Nursing Scholarship and Pharmacy?

The MOH Health Science and Nursing Scholarship came as a lifeline as I was wading in uncertainty about my tertiary education and career. It offered me an opportunity to study Pharmacy overseas to align my aspirations with reality.

I have come across many people who asked me why I do not mind taking up a bonded scholarship, and this might be a concern for you too! My response to them is always the same: Why would I mind if I am securing my future? I believe that with MOHH, I would be exposed to more opportunities for nurturing and grooming myself into a better person and professional during the bond period. Furthermore, if you consider a bond as a disadvantage, then the advantages of the scholarship definitely outweigh it! It is an opportunity of a lifetime to spend 4 years independently overseas and I am a staunch believer that tertiary education is not just about excellent grades. Tertiary education is a memorable experience where only you can define how exciting and enriching it is. With an overseas education where MOHH, a well structured organization, is there every step of the way, I am sure the experience would be even more fruitful.

Ever since accepting the HSS, I have had the chance to know numerous MOHH scholars who will eventually become professionals in their own leagues through MOHH’s initiatives like the Scholars’ Camp. It is heartening to find like-minded individuals who share a passion for healthcare no matter which allied health profession they belong to. More importantly, it is heartwarming to know that I belong to a family of scholars who share a common identity. We derived much excitement from discussions about overseas university applications and the road trips around Europe during summer breaks. Nevertheless I feel that it is even more exciting to know that these same scholars would most likely be my colleagues at the forefront of healthcare in the near future.

Many of my friends are often curious about why I want to study Pharmacy. I think the more pertinent question should be: Why an allied health profession? Let me be honest here, if you are looking for a lavish lifestyle of luxury and wealth then perhaps you are reading the wrong newsletter. But since you have committed to reading thus far, I assume that there is a small part in you that might be considering a career as an allied health professional. That is fantastic, because you are brave enough to accept a calling for you to join the ranks of healthcare professionals who place others before self. Trust me when I say that it was not easy for me to do so, but I always believe in following my heart, and true enough it has brought me to a decision which I have no regrets.

Every step in life is a choice. However, the choices that require us to stop and think hard are the only ones that would bring us far. At the end of the day, your education and career are hard decisions made only by you. If it happens that you are committed to the noble cause of bringing patients back to their feet again, the MOH Health Science and Nursing Scholarship is definitely a great way to kick start your development into a qualified allied health professional. When you do take that decisive leap forward, your fellow scholars and I would undoubtedly be more than happy to welcome you into our scholars’ family.

Alex Soh

University College London 

Pharmacy Year 2

Patrick Ker, Senior Principal Occupational Therapist, Singapore General Hospital

Patrick Ker literally fell into the vocation of occupational therapy by chance.  He fractured his wrist during his national service days with the Singapore Armed Forces, and had to undergo surgery, and rehabilitation with an occupational therapist.

Not knowing what occupational therapy was, Patrick wondered why he needed to see one, thinking that that he doesn’t need a job since I’m still serving my national service and should be receiving physiotherapy instead. During the sessions, he was impressed with the patience and care rendered by the occupational therapists in helping him regain the functions and strength of his hand.

From the sessions, Patrick began to understand more about occupational therapy and his interest in it was ignited. He heard that Nanyang Polytechnic would be offering an occupational therapy course from 1992, which is about the same time that he would be completing his national service.  Patrick sent in his application to study occupational therapy and also applied for a sponsorship with the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), one of the institutions under the SingHealth Group.  And the rest was history.

Occupational therapy training was composed of studies and clinical placements focusing on the theories and practice.  During the fieldwork placements, Patrick gained experience in some of the main areas of occupational therapy practice, such as physical rehabilitation, paediatrics and mental health therapy. SGH also sponsored Patrick to pursue his occupational therapy degree at the University of Sydney in 1996, after he graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic in 1995.

Upon his return from the University of Sydney, Patrick and a colleague started providing ergonomic services at SGH, such as consultancy, for companies to educate them on how to improve the work environment and ensure it is conducive for staff. When work-related injuries were sustained, they also provided treatment and advised them about how these injuries could be prevented. 

One who believes in continuous learning, Patrick pursued and obtained a Master’s Degree programme at the University of New South Wales, Australia, in 2004.

Patrick now focuses on ergonomics, providing training and consultancy to companies. He conducts talks for employees to create awareness and also workshops to explain common workplace ergonomics issues and how to tackle them.

There is a shortage of occupational therapists in Singapore as there are only about 500 occupational therapists now. There is a need to train more to meet the demand in different areas of practice such as physical rehabilitation, mental health, paediatric, neuro-rehabilitation, geriatric rehabilitation, occupational health and work rehabilitation. There are also community-based options available at community hospitals, nursing homes and voluntary welfare organisations.

Sharing the one of the three most important things that he has learnt and is still cultivating, he says, “The first is patience. Occupational therapists have to work with people from all walks of life, with all sorts of personalities. Therapy can be a time-consuming process when working with people with physical, mental or developmental disabilities. To be effective, you need to have patience to remain encouraging and positive with patients who experience setbacks and frustration, and not get discouraged when the process takes time.”

He added that the second thing is adaptability. “Each person, situation and work environment that occupational therapists encounter is different, which means that they will need to adapt quickly to changes. Just as we adapt a patient’s activities or living environment to fit their unique individual needs, we also need to be able to provide clients with customised care that meets their needs.”

“In order to develop ways for patients to overcome a wide range of challenges, occupational therapists need to be able to assess and come up with strategies to help patients build their skills. This may include recommending, modifying or even designing adaptive equipment and the environment to help clients accomplish the necessary tasks. This requires a sense of creativity, the third important thing that I have learnt.”

Admitting that he did not know that the profession would suit him so well when he first chose this path as a 21-year-old, Patrick says that he has found his 15 year career as an occupational therapist rewarding. Occupational therapy has offered him a fulfilling vocation that gave him the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients and clients who are striving to overcome challenges to live independent, meaningful lives.

3 Quick food fixes for the starving student

Come April/May and something in the atmosphere changes at university, demographics shift. Countless to-do-lists are drawn up, and finally adhered to, because datelines aren’t something you can run from. The gym empties out, as the library becomes the new hotspot on campus. Months of procrastination lead us on to the edge of our sanity as we rush through a mad flurry of activities to fulfil this requirement, and that. Cooking up anything in the kitchen becomes unheard of but hunger is real, and nope, stress ain’t taking it away. Instead of turning to Dominoes, or that Chinese takeaway down the road, I’ve turned to a few of my favourite quick fixes over the past few days to feed both the boyfriend and I. Yes, it may involve turning on the stove and washing up, but it’s quick and a hell lot more rewarding than eating out of a styrofoam box. Plus, it’s instagram worthy, #dontjudge

1. Bacon, Chicken and Cheese Savoury Crepe

Savoury crepes are very much in the shadows of its sweet, sugary counterpart, but it doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. It can make a hearty sinful wrap or it can be packed full of super foods, it’s entirely up to you. I obviously chose to go the sinful way with my bacon and cheese, but fill it with vegetables and beans if you like, go ahead and feel smug.

Ingredients:60g plain flour
Instructions
7. Serve hot on it’s own or with a side salad
Eating frittatas always make me feel like I’m on a holiday. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that I associate it with one of my trips to the Spanish south coast but there’s something undeniably uplifting about having full pan of baked eggs set in front of me. When coursework and revision get a bit too much, it may help to indulge in a little bit of escapism by making a lovely frittata. It’s a lot easier than it looks!
Ingredients
Instructions


Ingredients
Instructions
Written by:
Written by:

Pinch of salt and pepper
1 egg
140ml of milk
Butter for frying
Choice of filling

1.Whisk the milk and egg together.
2. Add the flour in small amounts, whisking after each addition until you have a smooth batter.
3. Season the batter with salt & pepper (or whatever herbs you fancy)
4. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes
5. Heat your frying pan on a med-high heat. Add a little butter and wait until the pan is very hot before you add the batter to the pan. Add a big spoonful enough to cover the whole pan as you swirl the crepe batter around the pan.
6. Cook for around 3 minutes then flip, add your filling to the middle of the cooked side, then fold the edges to make a little wrap. Flip over a few times to make sure your cheese (if using) is melted.

2.  Mushroom, Bacon, Spinach and Tomato Frittata

4 eggs
150ml milk
2 tomatoes
A bunch of spinach
2 tomatoes, halved
200g mushrooms
100g bacon
knob of butter
Mozzarella cheese
Goat’s cheese

1. Preheat oven to 180 deg celsius
2. Whisk 4 eggs with the milk, set aside
3. Heat a medium non-stick frying pan, add the knob of butter.
4. Fry bacon till brown and slightly crispy, put aside
5. Add mushrooms and spinach to the pan, stir-fry till both mushroom and spinach are soft. Drain the liquid away from the pan.
6. Add a little more butter to the pan. Add bacon and stir.
7. Pour in the egg mixture, it should cover most of the ingredients in the pan. Season with pepper.
8. Add tomatoes, skin side down.
9. Top with mozzarella and goat’s cheese
10. Allow the eggs to cook for around 5 minutes before placing the whole pan in the oven for 25 minutes.
11. Remove the pan from the oven, sprinkle with more cheese, serve hot.

3.  Potato Cakes

Mash may seem like a brilliant idea the night before, but facing it again the next day is almost sad. It doesn’t help that the mash is always left over in exceeding amounts on its own. Gone is the stew that went with it the night before, or the sausages that went on the grill, and eating leftover mash on its own is kinda dreadful. However, I found that making them into these potato cakes made them look a lot more appetizing and taste a lot more appealing on its own. Slightly charred and crispy on the outside yet soft and fluffy on the inside, it surprised me with how good it tasted.

2 cups of mash potatoes
1 1/2 tbsp of sour cream
2 eggs
1 tbsp chives
100g parmesan cheese
1 tbsp all purpose flour
salt and pepper to season
olive oil

1. Add all the ingredients into a big mixing bowl, mix well together
2. Heat olive oil on a non-stick frying pan
3. Using floured hands, scoop balls of the potato batter, roll it into a ball and flatten it slightly
4. Add the carefully to hot oil, frying 2-3 minutes for each side until golden brown
5. Serve hot with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese and sour cream on the side

Sheena Tan
University of Southampton
Podiatry Year 3
 

For more incredible recipes and a taste of the gastronomic adventures of a “globe-trotting glutton”, visit Sheena’s lovely blog at http://greedytwoshoes.com/