-New research unveiled by SMU's Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA) 
shows that only 35% of older adults in Singapore have a regular family doctor 
-Having a regular family doctor ensures 'continuity of care' and is key to 
preventive health, as well as to identifying and addressing health conditions 
early 
-Study recommends for more efforts to encourage older adults to enrol in the 
Healthier SG initiative launched by Singapore's Ministry of Health


A new study by SMU's Centre for Research on Successful Ageing 
(ROSA)[https://rosa.smu.edu.sg/] revealed that only about a third of older 
adults surveyed (35%) currently have a regular family doctor. Registering with 
a regular family doctor, which is a key component of the Healthier SG (HSG) 
initiative launched by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in March 2022, helps to 
achieve 'continuity of care' and improved health outcomes among Singaporeans.

According to ROSA's study, titled "Older Adult Healthcare Utilisation Patterns 
and Receptiveness towards Healthier SG 
Initiative"[https://rosa.smu.edu.sg/sites/rosa.smu.edu.sg/files/Briefs/July%2020
22/ROSA_HSGReport_JULY22_FINAL.pdf], a large majority of respondents (85%) 
would still want to see other doctors even if they had registered for HSG, 
citing the desire for a second opinion on their health conditions. 14% of older 
adults surveyed do not visit polyclinics for health screenings

HSG places greater emphasis on preventive healthcare rather than reactive 
treatments. Instead of 'doctor hopping', or visiting multiple doctors over 
time, HSG encourages Singaporeans to visit a primary physician for most of 
their healthcare needs. This results in 'continuity of care', a sustained and 
prolonged relationship between an individual and their family physician or 
healthcare practitioner over time.

Continuity of care could result in care that is tailored to an individual's 
needs and likely improved health outcomes among the Singapore population. 
Continuity of care has been shown to be important for older adult populations, 
given the greater likelihood for older adults to be in poorer health and to 
suffer from chronic conditions.

"The results of our study illustrate both the timeliness of the introduction of 
the Healthier SG initiative and that most older adults are receptive to this 
new healthcare approach. We see the merits of those with a regular physician, 
particularly when it comes to adhering to preventive health check-ups.  As 
preventive health care is critical in ensuring successful ageing, we should 
continue to encourage those who remain apprehensive, especially in terms of 
raising awareness of the need for regular health check ups," said Professor 
Paulin Straughan[https://rosa.smu.edu.sg/research/research-team], Director, 
ROSA.

ROSA's research was conducted using data from the Singapore Life 
Panel(R)[https://texthttps//rosa.smu.edu.sg/singapore-life-panel/about-singapore
-life-panelr#:~:text=The%20Singapore%20Life%20Panel%20(SLP,July%202015)%20for%20
five%20years], a population representative monthly survey of Singaporeans aged 
57-76 (inclusive) in 2022, that has been conducted since 2015. A total of 6,418 
older adults participated in the survey which was fielded in April 2022.

Key findings and recommendations: 

1. Slightly less than half of older adults surveyed were aware of HSG (46%). 
Respondents with a higher socioeconomic status (SES) were more likely to be 
aware of HSG. 

2. Slightly more than half of older adults surveyed visit polyclinics for 
health screenings (51%), while 14% stated that they do not go for health 
screenings. 

3. Only about a third of older adults surveyed (35%) currently have a regular 
family doctor. 

4. A large majority of older adults surveyed (86%) expressed willingness to 
enroll in HSG. However, a large majority of respondents also expressed that 
they would still want to see other doctors even if they registered for HSG 
(85%). The most popular reason cited for wanting to still see other doctors was 
the desire for a second opinion on their health conditions (67% of respondents 
who would see other doctors even if enrolled selected this). 

5. Among older adults surveyed, SES, perceptions of the importance of regular 
health checkups, and current healthcare utilisation patterns (whether they 
visit general practitioners (GPs) or polyclinics) were found to be important 
possible factors shaping both the willingness of respondents to register for 
HSG, as well as whether respondents currently have a regular family doctor.

Based on the findings listed above, ROSA makes the following policy 
recommendations for the implementation of the HSG initiative:

1. Efforts to encourage older adults to enroll in HSG should be targeted at 
older adults with lower SES profiles (i.e older adults living in 1-3 room HDB 
flats and lower educated respondents)
- This may include raising awareness among such older adults about the 
importance of having a regular family physician, as well as efforts to increase 
the accessibility of such services for older adults who may not be able to 
afford them.

2. Efforts to encourage older adults to enroll should also emphasise the 
importance of regular health checkups for their health
- It is possible that some older adults may not understand the importance and 
value of preventive health. 
- As such, authorities should try to raise awareness about how these 
initiatives can benefit their health in the long run.

3. Polyclinics will play a large role in ensuring the effective implementation 
of HSG 
- This is based on the finding that respondents who visited polyclinics more 
frequently when in need of healthcare advice were found to be less likely to 
have a regular family doctor, as well as less likely to want to register for 
HSG. 
- Polyclinics are thus likely to be important avenues through which authorities 
can raise awareness about the importance of having a primary doctor. 
- Efforts to encourage older adults to register for HSG should be targeted at 
older adults who visit polyclinics regularly, as these older adults are 
observed to be less willing to register for HSG.

About the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA)

ROSA is a multidisciplinary research centre based in SMU. It was established 
with an MOE Tier 3 social sciences research grant, as well as the generous 
support of The Ngee Ann Kongsi. Research at ROSA seeks to define and measure a 
holistic construct of well-being and to identify the factors that impact 
Singaporeans' well-being as they progress through the later phases of life. 
Through close collaboration with government and other partner agencies, ROSA 
also aims to translate research insights into policy innovations that advance 
the well-being of older adults holistically and promote successful ageing in 
Singapore. ROSA brings together a diverse team of leading international and 
local researchers in ageing and age-related issues from various disciplines. 
Through empirical evidence derived from a longitudinal methodological approach, 
the multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research team advances 
propositions that promote successful ageing in Singapore.

Source: Singapore Management University