http://www.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20090526-144031.html
Wed, May 27, 2009
The New Paper
Surgeon gives out handphone number
By Ng Wan Ching
HE'S a busy surgeon and father of three boys.
But Associate Professor Chia Sing Joo leaves his handphone number and e-mail address with his patients and their relatives, and tells them to contact him whenever they have questions.
The winner of one of this year's Healthcare Humanity Awards prefers that his patients be clear on medical issues, rather than get 'half-baked' answers from doing their own research.
'I tell them they can call in the daytime. If it's past 10pm, I tell them to send me an SMS and I'll get back to them the next morning,' said Assoc Prof Chia, 48, who is the divisional chairman of surgery, head and senior consultant of general surgery at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).
Respect privilege
So far, most of his patients have respected the privilege that he has given them. He usually gets 10 calls a day.
'Most patients understand that a doctor is very busy. They know you are giving them the number for that important call, not for frivolous questions,' he said.
To him, patient communication and respect is an important part of his role as a doctor. Patients' quality of care and outcomes are also important.
So much so that he has spearheaded the initiative to improve the lives of patients by offering them the option of day surgery for their operations whenever possible.
'Through Sars, we know that many patients don't need to stay in hospital. It's much better for the patient as he does not have to stay in an unfamiliar place. His friends and relatives don't have to come to the hospital to visit him. It's cheaper,' said Assoc Prof Chia.
To that end, he also spearheaded the Ambulatory Surgery 23 (AS23) service a few years ago, for patients who may need 12 to 15 hours to recover from an operation.
In the past, they would have been warded for a night. With AS23, they can rest and be observed for up to 23 hours.
The service helps to free up beds for patients who need to be hospitalised.
Previously, 35 per cent of all operations at TTSH was done as day surgery. Today, because of day surgery and AS23, the figure has doubled to 70 per cent.
Looking after a very busy surgery service, being a surgeon and divisional chairman of surgery at TTSH, are not the only hats Assoc Prof Chia wears.
He is also an author. He has written and published a book and is halfway through a second.
His first book, 'Male urological problems: the essential guide for every man & couple', seeks to clear up certain myths and medical issues concerning men and couples.
It is priced at $21 and is available at all major bookstores.
'I discuss all sorts of urological issues, such as whether bubbles or blood in the urine always mean cancer? Will circumcision improve sex life?' he said.
The book is also for women, as it will help them understand their partners' issues.
Assoc Prof Chia also explains in the book the process of going to the hospital, and what to expect during an operation.
All the proceeds will go to the hospital's cancer support group and the training of doctors caring for cancer patients.
He chose this cause because cancer cases are on the rise, he said.
He is now working on his second book, which he hopes will spice up the sex life of couples.
'When it comes to sex, there is much misunderstanding. That's because for many couples, it is not enjoyable. But sex is much more than the physical act, it's also about intimacy and understanding the desire and limitation of each individual,' he said.
This story was first published in The New Paper.
Wed, May 27, 2009
The New Paper
Surgeon gives out handphone number
By Ng Wan Ching
HE'S a busy surgeon and father of three boys.
But Associate Professor Chia Sing Joo leaves his handphone number and e-mail address with his patients and their relatives, and tells them to contact him whenever they have questions.
The winner of one of this year's Healthcare Humanity Awards prefers that his patients be clear on medical issues, rather than get 'half-baked' answers from doing their own research.
'I tell them they can call in the daytime. If it's past 10pm, I tell them to send me an SMS and I'll get back to them the next morning,' said Assoc Prof Chia, 48, who is the divisional chairman of surgery, head and senior consultant of general surgery at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).
Respect privilege
So far, most of his patients have respected the privilege that he has given them. He usually gets 10 calls a day.
'Most patients understand that a doctor is very busy. They know you are giving them the number for that important call, not for frivolous questions,' he said.
To him, patient communication and respect is an important part of his role as a doctor. Patients' quality of care and outcomes are also important.
So much so that he has spearheaded the initiative to improve the lives of patients by offering them the option of day surgery for their operations whenever possible.
'Through Sars, we know that many patients don't need to stay in hospital. It's much better for the patient as he does not have to stay in an unfamiliar place. His friends and relatives don't have to come to the hospital to visit him. It's cheaper,' said Assoc Prof Chia.
To that end, he also spearheaded the Ambulatory Surgery 23 (AS23) service a few years ago, for patients who may need 12 to 15 hours to recover from an operation.
In the past, they would have been warded for a night. With AS23, they can rest and be observed for up to 23 hours.
The service helps to free up beds for patients who need to be hospitalised.
Previously, 35 per cent of all operations at TTSH was done as day surgery. Today, because of day surgery and AS23, the figure has doubled to 70 per cent.
Looking after a very busy surgery service, being a surgeon and divisional chairman of surgery at TTSH, are not the only hats Assoc Prof Chia wears.
He is also an author. He has written and published a book and is halfway through a second.
His first book, 'Male urological problems: the essential guide for every man & couple', seeks to clear up certain myths and medical issues concerning men and couples.
It is priced at $21 and is available at all major bookstores.
'I discuss all sorts of urological issues, such as whether bubbles or blood in the urine always mean cancer? Will circumcision improve sex life?' he said.
The book is also for women, as it will help them understand their partners' issues.
Assoc Prof Chia also explains in the book the process of going to the hospital, and what to expect during an operation.
All the proceeds will go to the hospital's cancer support group and the training of doctors caring for cancer patients.
He chose this cause because cancer cases are on the rise, he said.
He is now working on his second book, which he hopes will spice up the sex life of couples.
'When it comes to sex, there is much misunderstanding. That's because for many couples, it is not enjoyable. But sex is much more than the physical act, it's also about intimacy and understanding the desire and limitation of each individual,' he said.
This story was first published in The New Paper.
