Government officials will NEVER ask you to transfer money or disclose bank log-in details over a phone call.

Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 or visit the ScamShield website if you are unsure if something is a scam.

Image of career: General Practitioner (Doctor)

General Practitioner (Doctor)

Overview

General practitioner doctors (GP) treat and prevent illnesses, injuries, and other physical and mental health problems.

Description

  • Give advice about healthy eating, hygiene, and how to prevent diseases.
  • Explain procedures, test results, and treatment plans.
  • Keep track of patients' conditions and adjust treatments.
  • Conduct clinical research to find and new cures and treatments.
  • Carry out small surgical procedures to remove, repair, or improve infected or injured body parts.

Entry requirements

  • You'll need a medical degree from Nanyang Technological University or National University of Singapore locally. NTU requires the University Clinical Aptitude Test.
  • Alternatively, join the Duke-NUS programme or overseas medical schools recognised by the Singapore Medical Council.

Salary

$10,000 – 20,000

/mo

Salary ranges are estimated based on public information found on Singaporean job portals, including MyCareersFuture, MySkillsFuture. Updated as of 2026.

Trivia

While GPs usually treat everyday illnesses, they must also identify serious conditions that need further examination. They can then be sent to specialists for focused care.

What to expect

Keep learning about new medical advancements so you can provide the best possible treatment for your patients.

Soft
skills

Compassion
Able to demonstrate care and understanding when treating patients and understanding their worries.
Empathy
Ability to empathise with patients to build trust and provide personalised care.
Communication
Ability to explain medical conditions and treatments clearly.
Diagnostic and Clinical Management
Ability to diagnose health conditions and provide appropriate medical care.
Knowledge of Adverse Drug Reactions
Possess knowledge of different medications and their side effects.
Emergency Response
Able to remain calm and handle urgent medical situations by providing immediate care or referring them to specialists.

Hard
skills

Frequently asked questions

Don't worry, you have several options. You may study a related degree like biomedical engineering, then apply for a master's at Duke-NUS. You may also study at recognised universities overseas, or retake A-Levels in the United Kingdom.

No, it is up to the medical school. House officers are usually posted to hospitals that need more doctors, with each posting lasting about four months. You'll have three different postings in various departments within the same hospital.

Patients first see GPs when they need medical help. After assessing patients’ health, GPs decide if patients need to be referred to a specialist for more focused care.

No, they focus more on treating conditions with non-surgical methods.

GPs refer patients to specialists when they need more focused treatment.