The 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Singaporean Emergency Medicine Society was held in Singapore on February 27–28. This two-day conference featured a comprehensive program that included presentations from renowned international speakers as well as discussions on the latest local research and innovations.

It was my great pleasure to participate in this conference on behalf of the Emergency Medicine Trainee Network (EMTN) of the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine (HKCEM) as a speaker in the Taiwan- Hong Kong- Singapore Residents' Forum. The topic this year was “End-of-Life Care in the Emergency Department.” Although palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care may seem vastly different from the traditional scope of Emergency Medicine, it is increasingly recognized as an essential component of care, particularly in overseas countries, where there is increasing demand from the aging population and terminally ill patients with advance directives.

This service is relatively new in Hong Kong, and currently, only Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and North Lantau Hospital (NLTH) have implemented their own EOL programs. The QEH model focuses on patients in their final hours to days of life, offering a private room in the Emergency Medicine Ward, where patients can spend their last moments in a home-like environment, surrounded by their loved ones. In contrast, the NLTH model supports patients in their last days to weeks of life, providing not only symptomatic care but also creating precious moments for patients and their families, such as hosting birthday celebrations and baptisms.

Attending this forum was an eye-opening experience, as I had the opportunity to hear representatives from Singapore and Taiwan share their models for EOL service implementation, discuss the challenges they have encountered, and explore potential solutions for the future. There are notable differences between our healthcare systems—Singapore has a well-established collaboration with hospice home care teams and allows compassionate discharge for terminally ill patients, while some Taiwanese centers have developed “hospital-at-home” programs that involve home visits by ED nurses and teleconsultations with ED physicians.

In overcrowded EDs, allocating additional time and manpower for complex communication is undoubtedly challenging. However, we recognize that taking an extra step to support a dignified death is a pursuit worth striving for. I hope that more training opportunities will be available for trainees. This would enhance our confidence and competency in this field and allow us to fully embrace the ever-evolving role of Emergency Physicians.