Chronic disease management: a Singapore perspective

Development and Validation of a Functional Health Literacy Test

“…The rheumatic patient group also had fewer people in work (60% vs 70.9%; p = 0.02), and a worse HR-QOL (median [IQR]: 0.80 [0.73-1.00] vs 1.00 [0.81-1.00]). Interestingly, the health literacy level of the rheumatic patients was significantly higher than that of the general public (median [IQR]: 62 [58-64] vs 56 [50-62] by REALM, p < 0.01; and 19[18][19][20] vs 19[16][17][18][19][20] by FHLT, p < 0.01).…”

“…The recruitment of English-speaking Singaporeans in the current study has unique advantages: first, Singapore shares the same education system as the UK, providing great potential for adapting the current FHLT for use among other populations who are educated in standard English; second, English health education programs developed in Singapore have usually served as good examples within the Asian region, [19] suggesting further potential for administration of the FHLT to other Englishspeaking populations in Asia.…”

Is the traditional family doctor an anachronism?

“…There is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution to this daunting challenge worldwide. When general practice has managed to emerge as an increasingly important specialty, it has been as a result of deliberate increased resourcing and policy initiatives from national governments 30,31 and international bodies (such as the World Health Organization). 25 Based on the current evidence on the contribution that health care systems with strong physician primary care provision improve population health outcomes and that values of general practice are well matched to the health challenges of the 21st century, it is not surprising that primary care and in particular general practice has gained increasing prominence on the world stage as a favoured policy device.…”

Quest for quality care and patient safety: the case of Singapore

“…This targets Singapore's major causes of mortality and morbidity-for example, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and asthma. 17 Specially trained case managers also provide comprehensive advice on matters such as admission, discharge, and after care follow up including home help services for the disabled.…”