The 36th Asian Medical Students’ Conference (AMSC) was held in Singapore from 5 – 12 July 2015. An Asian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA International) annual event, it attracted 450 medical students from more than 25 countries around the Asia-Pacific region. Participants took part in a fun-filled three-day, two-night conference, presenting posters and discussing healthcare ideas on the theme “Geriatric Medicine – Embracing the Silver Tsunami”, as well as taking part in community services and interacting with our local elderly.
Exploring the Conference Theme
During the academic workshops, participants learnt about skills that can help them better understand the challenges faced by the elderly. At one specific workshop, participants had to wear broken glasses and read fine-print on medication packs, and wear rolled-up magazines on their fingers to pick up small tablets, experiencing challenges that are part of daily living for the elderly.
With that experience, participants took part in exciting group discussions “problems elderly face in society”, alongside three other topics related to geriatric medicine, namely “models of care for the elderly”, “a community for the elderly, an elderly for the community” and “combating ageism”. Some presented their opinions using detailed mind-maps and elaborate diagrams, while others brought laughter to the panel discussions with their serious acting and creative skits.
Experiencing Singapore
On the third day of the conference, participants visited various healthcare institutions across the island, ranging from acute hospitals to community hospitals to hospices. Some even got to experience first-hand different simulation centres that help train local medical students and young doctors.
Participants also enjoyed an afternoon of sightseeing and bonding at Kampong Glam, Little India and Chinatown, rounding off with a unique experience at the Singapore Night Safari. To add on to the cultural experience, Cultural Night introduced the snacks, games and cultural activities of different nations. Participants came dressed in various cultural costumes, and got to try out the Indian henna painting, calligraphy from Japan and traditional snacks from Thailand.
Engaging the Community
To complete the local experience, participants had the chance to engage with the local elderly community, looking at the old and new Singapore through the companionship. The experience was a unique eye-opener for many, such as James George Tsakisris from Australia who saw how “the elderly were beaming with pride as they shared about their stories.”
For others, it was a learning experience. Santosh Upadhyaya from Nepal could relate to the difficulty in communication due to language barriers. “I was comparing them with Nepalese elderly. They would not be regarded as a problem in Nepal as most of the elderly do not even get enough food and are working for survival. (I hope that) in the near future, Nepal will develop, and my knowledge and experience in Singapore will be useful.”
Students having a tour at the Centre for Healthcare Simulation, Centre for Translational Medicine, NUS.
AMSC attendees trying their hand at Chinese paper cutting.