MedicalTrainingMedicalTraining

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COL (NS) (DR) CHUA WEI CHONGFormer Chief Army Medical Oficer/Commander, SAF Medical Training Institute

Transformation of paramedical trainingThe revamp of SAF’s medical services into the SAF 3rd Generation Medical System in 2009 introduced new military medical capabilities. This led to a corresponding increase in the academic and technical demands on the medics to perform complex treatment protocols and operate sophisticated life-saving equipment.

As such, the SAF Medic Training Framework was reviewed for regulars, full-time

national servicemen (NSFs) and NSmen, and in 2010, four new

courses were

designed. These courses were designed to provide a continuum of increasing complexity and a broader

scope of paramedic practice, and emphasised

the essential life-saving skills that all medics should

In line with the Army’s effort to engage the new generation of servicemen, relevant pedagogical changes in learning strategies have been incorporated and training in SMTI moved away from didactic lectures towards a more hands-on and learner-centric one.

Introducing medical simulation training

as simulation-based medical training (SBMT) for its advanced paramedic courses in 2005. The phasing-in of the 3rd Generation medical capability as well as SAF Medical Corps’ vision of establishing a National Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Trauma Care in SMTI warranted a review of the SBMT’s capacity to meet new requirements.

This saw SMTI establishing the new Medical Simulation Training Centre (MSTC) in 2012 to provide professional and effective training for our medical personnel.

LEARNetWith the advent of the LEARNet system in 2009, which utilises advanced-technology tablet computers and other computer-based learning devices, SMTI also started to embark on its own journey of LEARNet to enhance e-learning (electronic learning).

As a medical training institute, SMTI trains medics to become competent life-savers and medical,

capability of the SAF. As such, it is of paramount importance that medical training in SMTI constantly evolves to keep pace with medical advances while benchmarking itself against established militaries.

EvolutionOF Medical Training

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Medical Training

In tandem with the SAF Training Transformation Masterplan, SMTI was

needs, comprising the Medic Training Centre, Advanced Training Centre,

Army Medical Training Centre, and Centre for Healthcare Services; the middle

current training development needs for Headquarters Medical Corps; and the

Headquarters Army Medical Services. Having military medical experts and medical

Military Medicine Institute allows trainers to bring their operational experience to the

SMTI where it is needed.

The Advanced Training Centre is a leadership school that conducts advanced

Medical Corps.

As a vocational school, the Medic Training Centre is the subject matter expert and

active generator for full-time national servicemen to meet the tri-service needs for

the national emergency ambulance services.

rehserfer lanoitacov cidem sedivorp )CTMA( ertneC gniniarT lacideM ymrA ehT

vocationalists. AMTC also participates in the planning, design and conduct of

training for Medical Companies, Mobile Surgical Teams and the Combat Support

Hospitals. It is responsible for the mandatory medical pre-deployment training for

servicemen going on operations. Exercise planning and control for medical staff in

the Brigade headquarters and above is also supported by AMTC.

The Centre for Healthcare Services (CHS) is responsible for designing,

developing and delivering medical centre-related training for the various

vocational and leadership courses conducted in SMTI.

The Training and Learning Science Branch (TLSB)

ensures that the training in SMTI is harmonised

according to the approved syllabus and uses the

appropriate methods of instruction. Training audits

are also periodically conducted to ensure that quality

teaching is delivered to our trainees.

THE NEW FACE OF SMTI

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The Medical Simulation

Training Centre A new Medical Simulation Training Centre (MSTC) was established to replace the ageing equipment

in the old Medical Simulation Lab and meet the increasing complexities and broadening scope of

medical training in the SAF.

The opening of the new MSTC in August 2012 by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng

Hen, marks the beginning of a new era of training medics, military doctors and

nurses.

The ProcessThe two years from conception to realisation saw the conversion of the former

specialists’ mess into a multi-modal MSTC through infrastructure upgrading and

the acquisition of the High-Fidelity Human Patient Simulators (HFHPS). The use of

appropriate props, together with sound and lighting, made the scenarios realistic

and training more effective.

The centre is capable of simulating a diverse range of scenarios that medics are likely

to encounter in carrying out their missions. They can be played out in the respective

training zones of the centre. These include combat scenarios such as front-line

Zone (for the training of full-time national servicemen medics), an emergency

resuscitation facility in the Peacetime Training Zone (for the primary and refresher

combat support hospital in the Surgical Training Zone (for NSmen anaesthesia and

surgical teams).

Dr Ng said: “The new MSTC is comparable to other advanced militaries in the world

build a world-class medical system to support our soldiers through the toughest of

training operations.”

State-of-the-Art Features of the MSTCIn line with the evolution of medical training, the MSTC aims to meet the training

demands of the future. The key features of this centre are highlighted here:

a. Environmental Realism. The 450-square-metre facility has movable and

site. As such, a variety of scenarios can be simulated to cater to the different courses

in SMTI. In addition, the centre has sound generators and strobe lights to make

the simulated environment as realistic as possible. The centre also has infra-red

illuminators to simulate night scenarios.

the present training through hospital attachments and so on. Here, you can actually

set when and where, and what kind of lessons you want to teach.”

Specialist Cadet Trainee Jamalludin Mohd Dahlan, who has done some training in

the new facility, said of the realism of the simulators: “The lights and sounds around

it is very realistic training.”

b. Recording for Real-Time and Post-Activity Review. The MSTC is also equipped

with multiple video recorders to capture the training activities. These recordings

can be screened live in the Learning Room for other trainees who are not directly

involved to partake in peer evaluation and critique. Post-activity, the instructor can

also use the material to reinforce teaching points.

c. Advanced High-Fidelity Human Patient Simulators (HFHPS). The MSTC also

features these computerised mannequins that can be programmed to exhibit

simulators. These include eye pupillary reaction, bleeding limbs, bluing of the lips

and tearing of the eyes, among others. This complements the new and revised

curriculum of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course, which trains SAF

medics in additional protocols including the ability to assess physical signs such

possesses drug and event recognition as well as quality CPR feedback systems.

In addition, they are mobile and wirelessly controlled, which allow for medical

simulation to be conducted outside the classroom.

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Medical Training

I

The SAF introduced LEARNet to utilise advanced-technology tablet computers and

other computer-based learning devices to give its soldiers an interactive learning

experience.

the approach through which knowledge is imparted to trainees, and allow them to

experience self-paced, personalised, self-directed and even collaborative learning.

Under the guidance of the former Deputy Commander of SMTI, LTC (Dr) John Bosco

Lee, the LEARNet team assessed the suitability of a diverse range of topics that were

considered for the platform. Several trips were made to other training institutes to

learn about the capabilities and limitations of the system.

The Patient Assessment Model (PAM), comprising core skills that every medic must

discussions with the external vendors and the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), the

storyboard was conceptualised and perfected, and the team swung into action.

Filming was conducted in camp, based on the three chosen PAM scenarios. In

addition to the present methods of teaching medic trainees the PAM module through

theory and practical lessons, the video will enhance their learning experience, as

they will be exposed to real-life scenarios through the step-by-step demonstrations.

great challenge. But with the professional advice of the studio crew, everything

fell into place eventually. ME3 Azmi was very professional in directing some of

the scenes, backed up with outstanding coordination by ME3 Mazlan,” said ME3

Timothy Zachary Rajah.

In addition, a LEARNet quiz with multiple-choice questions and games was

developed under the supervision of the SMEs with the aim of assessing the trainees’

understanding of the topics after watching the videos.

All these will serve to pique the trainees’ curiosity in the various LEARNet topics

when it is rolled out in the future.

THE MAKING OF LEARNET FOR MEDICAL TRAINING

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A key milestone in the Medical Training Transformation was the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with internationally recognised external academies in 2010.

The first MOU was inked between the SAF Medical Corps and the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), under which the Medical Corps will conduct the Emergency Medical Technician

and Emergency Medical Specialist courses with training curricula endorsed by the JIBC School of Health Sciences. In addition, SAF military medical experts have the option of pursuing

a Diploma in Health Sciences Emergency Medical (Paramedicine) designed by JIBC.

At the same time, the Medical Corps signed a second MOU with Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), formalising a partnership in education, research and professional development. Under the

partnership, NYP's School of Health Sciences will provide basic scrub medic and post-surgery critical care training to operationally ready national servicemen and regular medics. The MOU

also allows regular SAF medics to undertake an Advanced Diploma in Health Sciences (Paramedicine) at NYP.

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Medical Training

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Medical Training

Entrusted with the health and lives of our soldiers, the provision of excellent healthcare and the protection of our servicemen’s health remain the essence of what we do.

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“our sworD tHe sCaLpeL, staff our sHieLD, anD tHese witH sKiLL we wieLD,

no Matter wHen, we’re battLe reaDy, MeDiCs of tHe fieLD.”

- An original verse in the Medical Corps anthem penned in the early 1970s by Dr Cheong San Thau.

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