20.12.2011

Future doctors back in Albania

The student initiative „Future Doctors Network“ (FDN) organized the third practical examination course for students in Tirana, Albania, in 2011.

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Medical students and prospective physicians in Albania have next to no chance to acquire practical skills throughout their training. FDN decided to close this gap via self-organized seminars in the fields of orthopedics, internal medicine and neurology, where students learn basics of examination techniques, and how to reach tentative diagnoses – so important in a country with limited technical equipment.

UW/H students Samantha Lork, Olga von Bismarck, Laura Hemmerich and Theresa Spellenberg organized an examination course in internal medicine supervised by Dr. Nadine Rommerswinkl (UW/H alumna) from December 9 to 11, 2011. Dr. Rommerswinkl had already supported a course at UW/H when eight Albanian students visited Witten/Herdecke University last summer.

Tutor training was on Friday evening. 9 student members of OMA (Organizata Mjeket e se Ardhmes), participants in a former seminar, met in a small classroom and were schooled to supervise their fellow students over the next two days together with the German students.  

The student organization OMA is the local contact for, and in close cooperation with, FDN. 

A total of approx. 60 students and future physicians attended the seminar. Nadine Rommerswinkl offered an interactive lecture and demonstrated all examination stages with a student acting as patient. Next on the agenda were examinations of thyroid, lymphatic system, lung, heart, abdomen and arterial system, with practical training in small groups and tutor supervision.

Sunday around noon was the time for a short OSCE (objective structured clinical examination), followed by a ceremony where all participants received their certificate.

Students stressed in feedback the tremendous importance of these seminars, and also the fun they had. They welcomed this chance to add a practical element to their solid theoretical knowledge - sufficient motivation for the initiators in Witten to continue this project.