Medical FAQs @ "No Hospital Specialist Memo, No Talk?!"
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This curved spine is unfortunately permanent. I have this condition too and read more about it from a library book on scoliosis. The most (apart from surgery or wearing back braces) you can do is only to monitor to see if it is worsening. I sort of forgot the exact details but there are 4 different types of curves. Generally, the curve has a higher chance to worsen during the growth stage (puberty years) than when one's growth is already developed. My condition is mild (about 10 degrees) and I have seen the MO regarding back pains that seem to be related to scoliosis and he referred me for physiotherapy to assess my situation, which I am currrently undergoing. Once my physiotherapy gym session ends, I'll be given a review to see how my back is and then if need be, get me referred to a specialist.Originally posted by 01024G:Is there anyway the curved spine problem can be solved? I went to the see the chinese doctor after going to SHS for a few checkups with nothing to tell me how I can prevent my condition from worsening. The chinese doctor tell me that if my body relax more then the muscles won't be so tight and cause the spine to be curve a litte. -
Why NS man had to undergo review by armed forces MO
Mindef replies to case of serviceman who got MC from external doctor
Tuesday • May 25, 2004
I refer to the letter, "Mindef urged to review system" by Mr Jeffrey Tang (Today, May 15).
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has a well-established system to refer personnel for specialist medical attention whenever required, as in Mr Tang's case.
A serviceman who is issued with a medical certificate of more than three days by an external medical practitioner has to undergo a review by an SAF Medical Officer (MO). The MO will then decide on the appropriate type of medical leave, taking into consideration the serviceman's type of training or work.
SAF training may broadly be divided into two categories: physically demanding training — as in field training — and non-physically demanding training — such as classroom lessons.
The SAF medical leave system makes a distinction between the two. "Attend B" medical leave means that the serviceman can undergo non-physically demanding training activities or perform light duties.
"Attend C" medical leave means that the serviceman needs complete rest, either at home or in the barracks.
Medical leave recommended by external medical practitioners does not usually make this distinction, hence the requirement for a review by an SAF MO.
In Mr Tang's case, it was probably a difference in professional opinion between two doctors on the type of medical leave that was appropriate. SAF MOs do not unilaterally change the medical leave recommendations of other doctors.
They do two things before they consider making any change — they examine the serviceman to confirm the status of his health and recovery; and they discuss the case with the doctor who issued the medical certificate.
Although Headquarters Medical Corps (HQMC) periodically sends out reminders to all MOs on the need to follow this procedure, it is possible that there may have been instances where this procedure was not fully carried out.
HQMC will be taking immediate measures to remind all MOs on the importance of adhering to this procedure.
There is also a process in place for servicemen to appeal if they feel that the revised medical leave is not in order, as provided for in Section 204 of the SAF Act (Chapter 295).
--excerpt from TODAY -
May i know is the Mo similar to the MMI psychiatrist or they're belongs to the different ?
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most of the MOs are general practitioners and not specialists. SAF does have their own psychiatrists but these will be on referral basis only and not common MOs.Originally posted by watsons:May i know is the Mo similar to the MMI psychiatrist or they're belongs to the different ? -
are those mo graduated from universities with a degree in medical?
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MOs are basically doctors. so yes they are all MBBS holders.Originally posted by chikopek:are those mo graduated from universities with a degree in medical? -
Doc not in for these few days..can see my burning qns still haven answered.
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Spines can curve either right or left (if you are looking at the patient from the back).Originally posted by Jazzswing:All spines are cruved a little right? Curved spine means curved horisontal or vertical kind of curve?
If you look at a patient from the side, the spine is suppose to have it's natural curves. Unfortunately in some conditions these curves are lost and problem can occur
Cheers -
I mean this question...Originally posted by Jazzswing:Ok i have a burning qn...albeit not really regarding SAF.
I have flexible flatfoot (when i stand..it becomes nearly flat, when not, arch can be seen). Whenever i run...i look a little funny coz my foot will angle to the side abt 30 degrees..but no serious pains on knee or foot..and can run normally. Can i ask..does my condition affect my running stamina? Or do i run 'poorly' due to lack of training ?
Thanks.
Thanks.. -
Now HQ Medical Corp has a website too:
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/joint/hqmc/main.html
and their Medical Officer Recruitment website for all the aspiring MOs:
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/joint/hqmc/recruitment/frontpage.html -
I am not sure where to post this but there are some doctors who become SAF officers through the NS MOCC scheme, which is different from the regular MOCC scheme.
This applies to those doctors who had served their NSF in other vocations/ranks and did not manage to disrupt for their medical course either in NUS or overseas.
This was a scheme launched by HQMC back in 95-96 I think. The first batch of NSMOCC commissioned officers graduated in 97/98.
The way this works is like this: Mindef and MOH share their data on the list of registered male medical doctors in Singapore. They narrow down those who did not get their SAF MO commissions during their NSF. These people could be rifleman, storeman, signallers, infantry officers etc. They can even be clerks and be PES E. It doesn't matter. HQMC then arranged to have these people transferred from whatever NS units to under their charge for the NS MOCC.
NSMOCC consists of two phrases spread out over two years, since ICT is limited to two weeks I believe. At least that was the case back in the late 90s. These guys would then be sent to SMM for their NS MOCC course.
They would then be commissioned as SAF MOs, and be given the rank of LTA (DR) (NS) for those medically unfit (ie PES C and below), and CPT (DR) (NS) for those PES A/B. Of course the most xiong part these fit guys have to endure is the IPPT. They don't need to take SOC.
You might think that it is a good deal, but truth is, many of these reservists don't like to go through the NS MOCC. If nothing else, it lengthens their NS cycle and the age limit from 40 to 50 years of age. They would also be given higher appointments to serve in their NS units. And many of them would rather spend their time outside than to be called back to camp for ICTs and what nots. And imagine being a cadet in your reservist time! Yes, even those LTA (NS) officers have to go through the NSMOCC, if their officer vocation before was not MO. They go through with the others who are SGTs, CPLs etc.
Many are pissed, and some have even asked HQMC if it is possible to 'fail' the course and not get their commission. One guy in the first batch did.
So for those of you studying in NUS medicine now, you may be a enlisted man/spec in your NSF, but there's no guarantee that you will not be called up for NS MOCC later in your reservist.
My 2 cents, speaking as someone who served in HQMC before.
-- posted by theonion at another thread -
All MO now commissioned will be given the rank of CPT. This is irregardless of whether MOCC was done as an NS man or NSF. The rank given is also irregardless of PES status
Cheers -
Saab, I would like to find out if someone with Pectus Excavatum (PE) receives some form of medical exemption in the SAF.
BTW, I am already a NSman. Just started reading up on materials related to chest cavities. -
But what happens when you fail the MOCC? Will they comission you as a LTA or will you remain OCT for the rest of your life?
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fail MOCC = ooc lor. either u go recourse if deemed possible, or u become a specialist depending on wich point in the MOCC u fail.Originally posted by react81:But what happens when you fail the MOCC? Will they comission you as a LTA or will you remain OCT for the rest of your life? -
thanks! but does this 3SG(DR) function as a doctor or as a medic?
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?? no he wont be 3SG (Dr) since he did not pass MOCC - he cannot be considered an MO and so his Dr would be as good as nothing.Originally posted by react81:thanks! but does this 3SG(DR) function as a doctor or as a medic?
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I really doubt so. But there is no hard and fast rule about things. It really depends on how severe and what kind of problems occur during what kind of trainning.Originally posted by theonion:Saab, I would like to find out if someone with Pectus Excavatum (PE) receives some form of medical exemption in the SAF.
BTW, I am already a NSman. Just started reading up on materials related to chest cavities.
If you have a problem see your MO.
Cheers -
Haha !Originally posted by wuming78:fail MOCC = ooc lor. either u go recourse if deemed possible, or u become a specialist depending on wich point in the MOCC u fail.
MOCC cannot fail lah! AT least I have never heard of anyone failing it. They do try hard to pass everyone.....and i mean try!!
Generally most MO's on completion of the course will be able to pass their IPPT without any problems. Even if they slip up on a single station, they will retake that station until they pass. And if that is not possible, well you know what happens next............
Of course for those who miss most of the course due to injury, they will be put OOC. Recourse will be scheduled at another time
3SG (DR)..... that would be funny! After kenna ordered my the senior medic! Cannot mah!
Cheers -
IPPT, thats the problem. sigh. haha, a 3SG(DR)...inmagine: senior medic," sergent, you better finish seeing those 100 cases in the next 2 hours, or you go and sign 2 extra". LOL.Originally posted by saabster:Haha !
MOCC cannot fail lah! AT least I have never heard of anyone failing it. They do try hard to pass everyone.....and i mean try!!
Generally most MO's on completion of the course will be able to pass their IPPT without any problems. Even if they slip up on a single station, they will retake that station until they pass. And if that is not possible, well you know what happens next............
Of course for those who miss most of the course due to injury, they will be put OOC. Recourse will be scheduled at another time
3SG (DR)..... that would be funny! After kenna ordered my the senior medic! Cannot mah!
Cheers
So, there's only 1 IPPT to clear? Any at the end of triservice? SOC? how does a Pes C MOCC differ from a Pes A MOCC? -
Thanks. I'm now discharged from SHS liao, which means I no need to go SGH for any more checkups liao because the doctor say my curve is mild now. Not like last time above 10 degrees.Originally posted by foxtrot1985:This curved spine is unfortunately permanent. I have this condition too and read more about it from a library book on scoliosis. The most (apart from surgery or wearing back braces) you can do is only to monitor to see if it is worsening. I sort of forgot the exact details but there are 4 different types of curves. Generally, the curve has a higher chance to worsen during the growth stage (puberty years) than when one's growth is already developed. My condition is mild (about 10 degrees) and I have seen the MO regarding back pains that seem to be related to scoliosis and he referred me for physiotherapy to assess my situation, which I am currrently undergoing. Once my physiotherapy gym session ends, I'll be given a review to see how my back is and then if need be, get me referred to a specialist. -
do you drive a saab?
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hi.. i'm back again...
my last questions weren't answered...
i would really wanna know coz the "drag their sick selves to work" has resulted in the ultimate tragedy for one of my staff...
someone who has not been well, had a history of high blood pressure and heart problems, afraid of losing his performance bonus, has died on the job from a stroke...
from what we know, he hasn't been well... the docs did to him what they did to me, giving him one day's medical leave (which was insufficient) and management frowns on people taking medical leave in pieces (you call it extending our medical leave by seeing the doctor again)... they figure anyone who does that is malingering..
so he turned up for work again and again, unwell... and paid the ultimate price...
methinks there's some blood on the hands of both the docs and management...
alas...
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the doctor is independent i suppose? i mean he is not one employed by the organisation right?Originally posted by the Bear:hi.. i'm back again...
my last questions weren't answered...
i would really wanna know coz the "drag their sick selves to work" has resulted in the ultimate tragedy for one of my staff...
someone who has not been well, had a history of high blood pressure and heart problems, afraid of losing his performance bonus, has died on the job from a stroke...
from what we know, he hasn't been well... the docs did to him what they did to me, giving him one day's medical leave (which was insufficient) and management frowns on people taking medical leave in pieces (you call it extending our medical leave by seeing the doctor again)... they figure anyone who does that is malingering..
so he turned up for work again and again, unwell... and paid the ultimate price...
methinks there's some blood on the hands of both the docs and management...
alas...
so why did the doctor give him a one day mc? was it because the guy requested for that?
and why did the guy not go for further treatment if he knows his condition? in the end was he a victim of his own decisions? -
if you only knew the extent of the "problems" with medical leave...
how else would the organisation's No.1 come to have a "dialogue" with the staff, tell us he has no agenda and in the same breath keep harping on the medical leave...
then how else could you explain the fact that those who were on medical leave "sporadically" or "short-term MC" for over a certain unsaid limit were deprived of their performance bonus no matter how well they worked...
maybe it was a matter of his own decisions.. but i knew him since i joined the organisation in '96... he was no malingerer, and he worked hard.. maybe a little too hard and he tried to give more than he could in order to earn that bonus... and paid for it with his life...
sadly, we in the team, know... his family knows... but the management seems totally oblivious... and continues to squeeze us...Originally posted by wuming78:the doctor is independent i suppose? i mean he is not one employed by the organisation right?
so why did the doctor give him a one day mc? was it because the guy requested for that?
and why did the guy not go for further treatment if he knows his condition? in the end was he a victim of his own decisions?