Dear colleagues and friends,
Welcome to the Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (Singapore)’s (SRMS) official website!
SRMS was inaugurated in 2006 with Dr Peter Lim as the founding President. Dr Lim has served SRMS with distinction until his relocation to the United States in 2021. I have since taken over as the second President, with big shoes to fill. I am grateful for the guidance from seniors and support from peers on the journey that I am embarking on.
Our specialty has come a long way since 2006. Back then, we were a very small specialty with 20 rehabilitation physicians and we have since more than doubled ourselves to 55 at the beginning of 2022. The rehabilitation landscape has also changed dramatically over time. Along with the shift of care provision to primary care, our colleagues have worked with the Ministry of Health and allied health professionals towards the National One-Rehab framework to ensure that Singaporeans have timely access to the right level of rehabilitation care and support patients as they transit across various care settings.
I believe that we, as rehabilitation physicians have an essential role to play in Singapore’s medical landscape due to our rapidly aging population. This phenomenon and an increasing incidence and prevalence of illnesses such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and cancer will result in more patients with chronic disabling conditions.
However, we must innovate by not just focusing on what we can do for patients after they have suffered a disabling disease or accident. To remain at the forefront, we will need to lead and participate in new models of care. We should support the government’s Healthier SG Strategy by advocating and leading preventive health plans, particularly for the population with existing disabilities.
SRMS is a professional organization representing rehabilitation physicians in Singapore. I encourage all rehabilitation physicians to participate actively and contribute to SRMS to promote our specialty as we work alongside allied health professionals, caregivers, and patients across the rehabilitation continuum.
We have various categories of membership. All health professionals involved in the rehabilitation care of our patients are welcome to join SRMS.
One SRMS! Together we can make a difference!
Dr Wee Tze Chao
President
Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (Singapore)