This New Clinic Wants You to Get Proactive About Preventive Care
In the last few years, anything to do with wellness has been catnip for health-conscious consumers or those looking to improve their quality of life. From acupuncture to Reiki to being plant-based, the obsession to “feel good” has spawned a $4.5 trillion industry that continues to grow at a historic rate. The pandemic has also caused a mindset shift, resulting in people becoming more attuned to what they need to be healthy.
One area of pursuit is prevention and Dr Edwin Ong, who opened RMDY Clinic in March this year, is hoping to catch the wave through holistic and integrative solutions that take into account lifestyle, dietary and medical considerations. Advocating health as an investment and not an expense, here is everything you need to know about this medical and wellness centre.
WHAT: RMDY (“remedy”) Clinic is a medical and wellness centre that employs a cohesive approach to help patients achieve lifelong health and well-being through modern medicine, lifestyle interventions and nutritional therapies.
WHERE: Katong Point, within the highly gentrified Joo Chiat enclave.
WHEN: Conceptualised in mid-2021 and opened in March 2022.
THE LOOK: The clinic is tastefully done up in a modern minimalist style, utilising warm neutral tones with a blend of raw concrete, dark grey marble and light elmwood. Patients are made to feel comfortable and relaxed so that they will have a meaningful consultation.
WHO: Dr Edwin Ong has 10 years of experience working as a physician and seven as a General Practitioner. He is a member of the College of Family Physicians Singapore and Society of Men’s Health Singapore.
WHY: Traditionally, visiting a clinic and seeing a doctor is associated with being sick and requiring curative healthcare instead of preventive care. RMDY Clinic encourages the public to take charge of their own health by making regular well-care visits to detect illnesses that may not show up yet.
HOW: Treatment plans are customised and tailored specifically for each patient’s unique needs.
THE PHILOSOPHY: Holistic wellness is about practising healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes. So instead of just surviving, one can thrive. This would mean taking a proactive approach by doing regular check-ups and finding ways to optimise it.
On wellness and preventive care: “The concept of preventive care is best likened to the way you take care of your car. Most people would make it a point to send their car for servicing immediately once the alert message shows up on their dashboard. If your mechanic then tells you there are certain parts that are worn out and need replacing, usually you would get it fixed because you want your car to run smoothly and not have it fail on you. You wouldn’t continue to use your car and wait for it to break down in the middle of the road before it gets towed to the workshop. Wellness and preventive care are therefore all about being proactive when it comes to your health.”
On sexual health: “Sexual health is very much an integral part of our overall health and falls under the realm of preventive care. Until today it is a taboo subject and many people find it an embarrassing topic to talk about, even with their doctor. However, if you are currently or are planning to be sexually active, I strongly encourage you to pay attention to your sexual health. One such important area would be safe sex practices such as the usage of condoms, avoiding high-risk sexual behaviour, and regular HIV and STD screening at least annually. Another key area for ladies would be using birth control to avoid the possibility of unwanted pregnancies, which may cause considerable distress.”
On checks and balances: “As a healthcare professional, it is my job to understand the concerns and expectations of my patients, anticipate their needs and requirements, and provide factual advice on the various testing and treatment options available. Hopefully, that will empower patients to take charge of their own health.”
THE EXPERIENCE: “John* has been suffering from reduced libido and energy levels, and weaker erections. He decides to make an appointment at RMDY Clinic and visits me for a consultation. Upon entering the clinic, he is greeted with peaceful music and a calm, relaxing ambience. After performing a physical exam, I explain to him that he seems to be suffering from Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TDS). I take him through the entire topic of TDS and offer to run a hormonal profile for him. The consultation takes around 30-40 minutes and ample time is given to allow John to get all his concerns and uncertainties addressed.
When the test report comes back a few days later, John, who is busy at work and doesn’t have much time to return for a review, instead receives a telephone call from me and gets a brief update on the results. We arrange a follow-up appointment for a more detailed face-to-face discussion on the various treatment options. We go through the pros and cons of each option and together, we formulate a treatment plan. John continues to follow up regularly to fine-tune the treatment regime until we get his hormone levels normalised and stable. Along the way, we explore other areas of his health as part of a holistic overview and look into lifestyle interventions and nutritional supplementation as well.”