Extension Of FitterLife Programme To GP Partners

FitterLife is a community weight management intervention programme, which aims to prevent or delay the onset of chronic conditions such as diabetes in healthy residents through lifestyle changes. Introduced in 2017 and currently operating virtually, FitterLife participants undergo health education, group discussions, and physical exercise. To-date, 600 residents have participated in FitterLife and more than 50 per cent have achieved the desired target weight loss of at least 5 per cent. In line with Healthier SG, NHG will work with GP partners to offer FitterLife as one of its structured weight management programmes for enrolled residents.

ENHANCING SCREENING IN THE COMMUNITY

Development Of AI Melanoma To Screen And Detect Skin Cancer

Melanoma, considered the most aggressive form of skin cancer, has the potential to spread extensively to various parts of the body if left undetected without treatment. Currently, diagnosis of melanoma is done via manual screening by a dermatologist, followed by an invasive biopsy for high-risk cases. Dr Lucinda Tan, consultant dermatologist at the National Skin Centre (NSC), together with scientists from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), have co-developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm called Skai Pro to perform image analysis of skin lesions and assist in the screening and detection of melanoma. By utilising deep learning techniques and large datasets of annotated images, the product helps identify suspicious features and patterns that may indicate melanoma, and escalate these skin lesions to clinicians for early diagnosis and intervention.

Enhanced Capacity For Osteoporosis Screening

The National Healthcare Group Diagnostics’ (NHGD) mobile bone mineral densitometry (BMD) initiative supports osteoporosis screening in primary care and community settings, monitoring bone health, facilitating early interventions, and contributing to a paradigm of care focused on promoting a healthier population. To further enhance accessibility for residents living in Central and North Singapore, NHGD introduced two static BMD services at its X-ray centres in Yishun Polyclinic and Ang Mo Kio Thye Hua Kwan Hospital in June and February 2023, respectively. The BMD service at Yishun Polyclinic is equipped with a patient hoist system, ensuring a safe and comfortable transfer experience for both wheelchair users and staff.

NHGD also completed a cross-calibration of all four BMD machines in their service in May 2023. This enables accurate comparison of bone mineral density measurements taken by each machine, resulting in higher diagnostic confidence in the reporting radiologists.

ENABLING HEALTH TOGETHER

Engaging Seniors In Conversations On Future Healthcare Needs

In December 2021, Medical Social Workers from the TTSH Community Health Team (CHT) piloted a four-session programme called “Preparing for Your Future Healthcare Needs” to engage seniors in the community. Each session used group work to encourage participants to review their life values, personal beliefs, care goals, and preferences, and incorporated pre-planning tools on Advance Care Planning and Lasting Power of Attorney to facilitate discussions on real-life scenarios, such as end-of-life and health crises.

Conducted in collaboration with two local Active Aging Centres (AACs) in Central Singapore, the programme had six runs, with 55 seniors completing the programme. Pre- and post-evaluation of participants showed an overall increase in self-reported awareness of personal values and preferences, confidence in discussing future healthcare needs, and knowledge of pre-planning tools. Eighty-nine per cent of the participants also created a formal Advance Care Plan (ACP) with the group facilitators.

Roll-Out Of Alcohol Related Frequent Attenders (ARFA) Programme

To address increasing alcohol-related visits to the hospitals in Singapore, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) launched the Alcohol Related Frequent Attenders (ARFA) programme in 2020. Under the programme, the ARFA workgroup, comprising a doctor, nurses, and social workers trained in Assertive Community Treatment, manages patients according to a harm reduction approach, with an aim for abstinence. Patients who are enrolled in the programme are followed up over a period of six months, with weekly visits in the first two months.

With the support of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH)’s National Addictions Management Service (NAMS), the programme was subsequently rolled out in TTSH, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH). To-date, the programme has recruited more than 100 patients from the Emergency Department (ED) of these hospitals and has achieved a success rate of 58 per cent, with success being defined as a 25 per cent or more reduction in the number of ED visits. Additionally, the ARFA programme tracks improvement in patients’ social parameters such as attaining new employment, having stable housing, and completing the NAMS detoxification programme.