06 Oct 2011
By: NG WAN CHING
BIO BOX
Dr Tan Kian Hian
Age: 39
Occupation: Consultant and director at the Pain Management Centre at the department of anaesthesiology at Singapore General Hospital.
About him: The bachelor was originally trained in anaesthesiology, having obtained his fellowship from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
He was subsequently awarded a fellowship in pain medicine in the same college.
He is a reviewer of the Singapore Medical Journal and speaks at local and overseas conferences, such as the World Congress in Anaesthesiology, on various topics involving pain management.
I decided to specialise in anaesthesiology and pain management because...
I can have the best of both worlds.
Anaesthesiology allows me to engage in the acute care and critical management of patients undergoing surgery.
Pain management allows me to make a difference in and improve the quality of a patient’s life.
The varied nature of these two fields challenges and excites me.
In the process, I also develop meaningful relationships with my patients, which I find very fulfilling.
The disciplines are fascinating because...
The two are vastly different and yet similar principles and foundations apply to both, in terms of physiology, medication and intervention.
Anaesthesiology allows me to make quick and calculated changes, and recent developments in pain management means more can be done to help patients manage their pain better.
If I were to give an analogy for what I do I'd be a...
Watchmaker.
Pain management involves putting different parts together, such as the effective use of medication, intervention, psychological management and physiotherapy, to achieve optimum function and quality.
We may not be able to reverse the ravages of time but we can try to make our bodies tick and function better.
Anaesthesiology is akin to making a precision timepiece, which requires a perfect balance of the parts of anaesthesia, pain relief and safety, with the hope of achieving a good outcome, every time.
I have come across all types of cases...
And I’m constantly reminded of how fragile we are and how health should be treasured, more so than any amount of wealth.
We may not be dealt with the same cards but it’s how we play them that makes the difference.
A typical day for me would...
Start with a teaching programme in the hospital at 7am followed by anaesthesia work in the operating theatre, seeing patients in the clinics or performing procedures in the Pain Management Centre. All these while I am teaching residents or students.
Administrative or research work, and meetings take place after clinical work.
I usually end the day with a run or a swim. This allows me to reflect on the day’s events, to unwind and to practise what I preach to patients – that exercise does wonders not just in terms of pain management, but also in every other aspect of our health.
I love patients who are...
Persistent in their exercise regimen and have a healthy dose of humour in life.
Patients who get my goat are...
Those who are irritable or easily upset. This usually happens with patients who have persistent or cancer pain. I try my hardest not to let this affect me but, admittedly, it can be a challenge.
I constantly remind myself that a smile, rather than angry words, is more appropriate when facing patients who are in pain.
One little known fact about pain management is...
Persistent pain affects up to 20 per cent of the population. One in five people may be in pain for more than three months.
Things that put a smile on my face are...
When patients dance into the clinic, showing me they are full of fighting spirit, functioning well and are trying their best in life, despite having persistent pain.
It breaks my heart when...
Patients share their personal, innermost and saddest stories with me. Their trust in me is humbling and it amazes me how strong the human spirit can be.
I wouldn’t trade places for the world because...
I am privileged to be in a position where I can make a difference in a person’s life.
It may be anaesthesiology, where I am needed in almost every major surgery, or pain management, where even the slightest improvement in the quality of my patient’s life, can be immensely satisfying.
My best tip...
Smile a lot, exercise a lot and always use sunblock.
Email: wanching@sph.com.sg
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