| Best Health-care provider awards |
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The Straits Times Oct 18, 2006
Health-care providers' repeat performance
Shefali Srinivas susses out their winning ways If you have it, use it - the winning formula, that is. That is what three health-care professionals, out of five who were voted Best Health-care Provider of the Year last year, seem to be doing. Because they have found themselves being nominated a second time for the same honour this year. They are: >>Dr Lau Tang Ching, consultant, Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital >>Dr Benedict Tan, consultant sports medicine physician, Changi General Hospital >>Ms Jeanette Jackson-Yap, occupational therapist in private practice Here is what their patients wrote about them in nomination e-mail messages to Mind Your Body. KIND WORDS FROM THIS PATIENT LISTENER Dr Lau's patient, Ms Yvonne Chun, nominated him because over the years, he has patiently listened to her complaints. Ms Chun said she suffers from an auto-immune disease which requires frequent treatment and various specialists. 'Dr Lau coordinated the care with the specialists and often gave encouragement on how to cope better. His kind words touched our hearts,' she said. WORKING AS PARTNERS TO MANAGE INJURIES His patient Carris Chen nominated Dr Tan because right from her very first visit, she was struck by the fact that despite being a Singapore sailing legend, he had no airs about him. 'The recovery process for my sports injury is long and there are times when I feel discouraged, and wonder if I'll even recover. But seeing how Dr Ben never fails to actively seek new ways to aid my recovery process makes me realise I should not give up hope, especially since he has not given up hope on my condition.' Dr Tan said talking to patients is all in a day's work, adding that he always establishes a partnership with the patient. That is, he makes sure the patient understands his condition and the treatment. 'This way the patient takes ownership of the condition and we manage the condition together,' he said. THERAPIST ACTS AS COUNSELLOR TOO Ms Jackson-Yap was nominated by Mr James Tan, who suffers from cervical spondylosis, a condition in which degenerating cervical discs exert pressure on the central nervous system. In Mr Tan's case, it causes numbness, tingling sensations and weakness in his right hand. He went to Ms Jackson-Yap as she was recommended by a friend. 'After seeing her for four sessions, I could feel strength coming back to my right hand and arm,' he said. Plus, her disarming smile and polite conversation during therapy distracted him from the pain that he felt. Ms Jackson-Yap, who sees herself as equal parts therapist and counsellor, said: 'I offer a listening ear when people talk and it really helps them to get it all off their chest. 'Pain is not just a physical thing, there is a lot going on inside.' E-mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Into its second year, the Best Health-care Professional of the Year effort seeks to applaud a doctor, nurse, therapist or any allied health-care professional who turned a patient's life around last year. About 100 MYB readers wrote in to make their nominations. These are the best four letters selected. Readers' Choice DR CHEW CHAY NOI OF C.N. CHEW INTERNAL MEDICINE AND GASTROENTEROLOGY CLINIC AT MOUNT ALVERNIA MEDICAL CENTRE 'My doctor-patient relationship with Dr Chew dates back to 1989. I had gone through many health problems - from anaemia to hypertension to chronic bloating, and so on. All these must have posed a challenge for her. Dr Chew showed great empathy and commitment in sorting out my health problems. She somehow understood how I felt and shared in my anxieties, suffering and loneliness. There were many occasions when my condition was very serious. No doubt, she must have been baffled. However, she never gave up on me. Instead, she prayed for me and this brought much comfort and encouragement, and helped me come through those difficult periods. Dr Chew is not just my doctor. Through the years, she has become my friend - going the extra mile for me to share my pain and touch my wounds with a gentle, tender hand.
Readers’ Choice MR KEVIN LAU, CHIROPRACTOR
“I have been suffering from migraine since I was 12, though I didn’t know what it was then. In my adulthood, the migraine became worse — triggered just by bright sunlight. I saw the best eye specialists in Asia and Australia and the best neurologist in Singapore. They all checked my eyes but said there was nothing wrong. But the attacks continued a few times a month, as did the medication and nausea and vomiting during the attacks. The worst bout was when I vomited more than 15 times and had to stay home for three days in a darkened room, with curtains drawn and air-conditioning on. Last year, I went to a talk by chiropractor , DrKevin Lau. A week after the talk, I made an informed decision to straighten my spine. I’m a little hunched after all these years of studying and working at the PC. During the first session, which lasted two hours, I had exercises and adjustment of my spine on a three-part bed. I felt wonderful and revitalised. Mr Lau, an Australian, is gentle, unassuming and humble, always talking and joking and open to feedback from his patients. He took the trouble to explain to me what my problem was — a curved spine and a neck that protrudes too far ahead, causing my migraine. He even went the extra mile to introduce health foods to me and lent me his CDs by motivational guru Anthony Robbins. Not only did my migraine vanish, but my cholesterol level went down too. I have medical records to prove it. After 10 months of treatment, I have a healthy posture. Now, I am able to walk under the hot sun without it triggering offmy migraine.”
MR DAVID AW, PHYSIOTHERAPIST WITH EMMANUEL PHYSIOTHERAPY IN CAMDEN MEDICAL CENTRE 'David Aw is a very caring and helpful physiotherapist. I went to him after a knee replacement operation, when my left knee became stiff because of scar tissues. With his help in massage, putting me on the stationary bike, and a lot of time spent bending and stretching my leg, I am able to walk without difficulty now. I am still under his care because my knee still needs help. He is deeply interested in his work and is not calculative where time is concerned. While each physiotherapy session is supposed to last an hour, he allows me to stay longer most of the time. To him, helping his patients recover is a joy.
"It is hard to find someone so dedicated to his work and patients as David Aw."
Comments (1)
Maryam: RE; Neurosurgeon
I would like to find a top private neurosurgeon in Singapore, but need some help in finding someone, does anybody have any recommendations?
1
January 02, 2008
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