What is your area of study and what attracted you to the Practice Office?
I am currently pursuing a major in Pharmacy and a minor in Public Health at the National University of Singapore. Pharmacy is a professional degree and typically leads to immediate employment as a pharmacist after graduation.
I wanted to gain a broader understanding of Singapore’s healthcare system and so undertook an internship at the Practice Office in the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
Practice Office places an emphasis on translational work which really appealed to me. This is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of integrating theoretical research into public health policy. I find this element of research intriguing and compelling, particularly the potential for making a significant impact in policy development through interpretation of rigorous research.
Could you tell me about your work with the Public Health Translational Team at the School?
During my time with the Public Health Translational Team at the School I worked on a report analysing the effectiveness of interventions aimed at addressing childhood obesity.
Initially, the breadth of the topic appeared daunting and I anticipated an overflow of information. However, the challenge was not so much the volume but in confidently determining which interventions were genuinely effective.
In theory, a randomised controlled trial might provide an answer but the reality is seldom so straightforward. For example, contexts between countries vary.
This work deepened my appreciation for primary public health research and sparked a curiosity about venturing further into this field in the future.
What role do pharmacists play in advancing public health in Singapore?
In Singapore, pharmacists occupy a unique position within the healthcare system. They are experts in medicines but are also capable of providing advice and guidance on a range of conditions. Some of the public may not fully comprehend the expertise and role of pharmacists.
Pharmacists are undertaking increasing roles in improving the public’s health. For example, in Singapore pharmacists are responsible for assisting individuals in smoking cessation and have the potential to play a critical role in health promotion.
As frontline healthcare workers, pharmacist frequently talk with patients and could play an increasing role in minor ailments and identifying and monitoring non-communicable diseases. Among other changes, this would require a shift in public perception towards recognising pharmacists as frontline healthcare professionals.
A move towards further public facing clinical roles could be facilitated by government-led campaigns. There could be education to encourage Singaporeans to visit their pharmacists for minor ailments like approaches taken in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Is there anything surprising about you that others may not know?
On a more personal note, although my educational background is STEM-focused, I am deeply passionate about literature. I enjoy reading and writing poetry in my free time. I am a firm believer in the inherent human inclination towards storytelling. After all, our lives are essentially a collection of stories we tell ourselves.
This passion has even found its way into my scientific pursuits. I believe that in the field of public health quantitative data alone does not tell the full story. It is imperative to understand people and hear their stories and incorporate these human elements into public health practice. This is not a luxury but a necessity. Science isn’t just about data; it needs to tell a story.