Medical social workers (MSW) play a pivotal role in Singapore's healthcare system, especially in community hospitals like St. Andrew's Community Hospital (SACH).

In this piece, we feature Valerie Tan, an MSW, whose contributions epitomise the essence of compassionate healthcare. As part of her profession, she works closely with fellow care team members to provide holistic care for patients beyond just medical treatment.

She shares with us, "As an MSW serving in SACH, one of my primary roles is to be a care connector for patients. I work with the multidisciplinary care team to assist with the discharge care planning of our patients to ensure that they return home with safe care plans in place. We also provide patients with psychosocial support as they cope with their stay in the hospital and physical losses such as loss of mobility. When needed, we may even provide financial counselling for patients and advise them on the financial assistance grants available."

A naturally empathetic and caring person, Valerie has always been sensitive towards injustice and suffering in the world. However, her healthcare career journey is not so straightforward.

  Valerie with her grandmother.

Valerie was initially uncertain about entering a career in healthcare as she felt that her strengths lay in working with youths and children. But all of that changed when her grandmother, with whom she had a strong bond, suffered a stroke.

"It was the first time that a close family member of mine had a stroke, and it required her to be admitted to SACH for rehabilitation."

“As a result of her stroke, my grandma had left-sided weakness and was bed-bound. She could not articulate," Valerie recalls.

It was a hectic season for the family. Their daily routine was upended as they juggled hospital visits with a flurry of other responsibilities. They had to modify their home to make it more accessible for her grandmother, a task that was both physically and emotionally taxing.

Hiring a helper, acquiring assistive equipment, and researching resources for optimal care - all these tasks added to the complexity of their situation. Simultaneously, they had to manage their own lives, jobs, and responsibilities.

Throughout her grandmother's treatment, Valerie's family received plenty of support from the care team at SACH. She recalled how her mother and grandmother showered praises on the care team.

"It was reassuring that help was never far away and there were always people around to help and advise us," says Valerie.

Valerie's grandmother's stroke gave her first-hand experience in understanding the importance of a community hospital.

Seeing what her family went through, Valerie asked herself, "How can I bring comfort and serve patients and their families during their most vulnerable moments?"

This, coupled with her experience mentoring youths, inspired Valerie to seek out a career that would allow her to interact with and journey with those at a low point in their lives.

Through her research, she learnt about how MSWs support and empower patients at every stage of their healthcare journey. At the same time, Valerie got to know about the Community Care Scholarship (CCS) offered by MOH Holdings (MOHH) in partnership with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).

Recognising the invaluable opportunity presented by the scholarship, Valerie stepped out of her comfort zone to apply. Her exceptional academic achievements and a deep-rooted passion for community service led to her being awarded the scholarship, a turning point in her career journey.

The scholarship also opened the door for Valerie to pursue her academic aspirations at the National University of Singapore (NUS), specialising in Psychology and Social Work.

It provided financial assistance, covering her tuition and related educational expenses, and this meant she could devote her full attention to her studies without financial strain.

Beyond financial support, the CCS also served as a gateway to a broader professional community. Through the scholarship, Valerie was integrated into a network of senior healthcare scholars and healthcare professionals.

This network was instrumental in guiding her through the nuances of transitioning from academic life to a professional career, offering insights and advice that only those with firsthand experience in the field could provide.

"I am grateful for the Community Care Scholarship as it expanded my opportunities to pursue a career in a field that I am passionate about."

Valerie is currently serving her scholarship bond at the same hospital that her grandmother was treated at – St. Andrew's Community Hospital (SACH).

"Being based in here is a real privilege as I have found joy in working with Singapore's silver generation. I've been given the opportunity to serve the community and bring comfort to those in need."

  Valerie uses AI to create cards to engage her patients.

As patients admitted to SACH are generally advanced in age, they often require assistance with their daily living activities even after they have been discharged from the hospital.

Because of this, MSWs like Valerie help families, especially caregivers, to support patients in navigating the different healthcare services available to ease caregiving burdens. They also provide patients with psychosocial support as they cope with their stay in the hospital and physical losses such as loss of mobility.

When a patient is first admitted to the hospital and assigned to Valerie, the first thing she does is reach out to the medical team to get a clear picture of the patient's condition. This helps her better understand the care and assistance a patient would need upon discharge.

At the same time, she also makes it a point to visit the patients and their families/caregivers to ensure that they are coping well, which is what she enjoys most about her work.

"I enjoy interacting with my patients and learning more about them. Many are eager to share their experiences."

“From what I have experienced, having a face-to-face chat with patients helps them to settle in and reassures those who are anxious. Even the simplest interactions can bring smiles to their faces. Seeing them smile brings me so much joy," she explains.

From Valerie's perspective, one of the most memorable patient interactions she had was with a patient who had lost the ability to move independently.

The patient was feeling depressed and defeated because she felt life had become meaningless. It was heartbreaking seeing someone in such a state. So, I sat down and spoke with her for over an hour."

"Eventually, the patient did acknowledge that life is more than being able to move about independently, and she adopted a more positive outlook, which was a big relief."

This encounter would serve as a poignant reminder for Valerie as to the importance of helping those under her care age well.

As she puts it, "In Singapore, our worth is often closely tied to our ability to perform and to be independent. But what happens when we need to depend on our families for simple tasks? What do we tie our identity to? How do we derive meaning from our life?"

"As I continue to journey with patients in SACH, I hope to gain more insights into the questions above. I hope that I will also gain knowledge and skills in providing better support for our patients as I journey with them."

In addition to making the most of her professional experience, Valerie has plans to improve her professional skills and clinical knowledge to provide better patient care.

For example, themes such as trauma, grief, and loss are key focus areas for her, as her goal is to help improve physical and physiological care for patients.

"I chose medical social work as a career as I have always been passionate about journeying with those in need, to see them heal and to see them flourish. My current role has made it possible for me to refine the skills and experience I need to do just that."

"As I advance in my career, I want to continue learning and improving myself."

Valerie's Insights: Guidance for those Looking to Pursue a Career in Healthcare

If you're considering a career in healthcare, Valerie recommends that you approach it with a mindset of continuous growth and learning. She emphasises the importance of being passionate about your work and the impact it has on others.

Additionally, Valerie suggests that those entering the field should be prepared to encounter a range of emotional situations, such as dealing with trauma, grief, and loss, and should focus on developing both their professional competencies and emotional intelligence.

Valerie also underscores the significance of creativity and self-awareness in healthcare. She believes that these qualities are as crucial as clinical skills in making a meaningful difference. "In a field as dynamic and challenging as healthcare, creativity is essential for problem-solving and innovation," she says.

She explains that being creative allows healthcare professionals to think outside the box, especially when faced with complex cases or limited resources. Furthermore, she highlights the role of self-awareness in managing the emotional challenges of the job.

"Understanding your own emotions and reactions is key to providing empathetic care and maintaining personal well-being," Valerie notes.

She encourages those entering healthcare to cultivate these attributes, as they enhance one's ability to connect with patients, respond to their needs effectively, and navigate the often unpredictable landscape of healthcare.

Want to find out what Valerie does at work? Watch this TikTok video!

MOH Holdings (MOHH) is currently offering scholarships to nurture the next generation of community care professionals. It is offered in partnership with public healthcare institutions and community care providers. For more details, check out this page.​