HelMSIC Summer School | Preparation for rural Service
HelMSIC Summer School | Preparation for Rural Service is a 4-day event that aims to prepare medical students for future rural service and provide them with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills, so that they can meet the requirements of rural practice.
Why a Summer School on Rural Service?
In Greece, after finishing their studies and before obtaining their medical specialty, young doctors have to provide services in the Health Care Center of a rural area. The so-called “Rural Service” is obligatory for someone who wants to serve as a clinician in the future and it is very demanding due to the limited resources and the lack of clinical experience. Unfortunately, vitally important clinical skills are not adequately taught at medical schools and as a result, graduate medical students are not qualified to apply their knowledge during rural service. HelMSIC, considering the needs of medical students, organises a Summer School to help graduate students deal with the demands and challenges of rural healthcare service and transform them into sufficiently qualified and confident doctors.
The project consists of two parts:
On the first part the participants have the opportunity to attend lectures and participate in workshops regarding the most common incidents they will have to deal with in their rural service. Also, through peer education trainings, they exercise their communication skills.
On the second part, on the last day of the event they visit the Primary Health Care Center so as to get familiar with its structure and function. The Primary Health Care Center is located in a rural area, where the participants will go for a hike. During the hike, they will have to deal with unexpected medical emergencies, acted by volunteers.
The agenda
- General pathology scenarios
- Insect, reptile and mammal bites
- Anaphylactic shock
- ECG & emergency cardiological cases
- Airway management and pneumothorax
- Gastroenterology emergencies
- IV-IM access
- Surgical Suturing
- Natural childbirth
- Nasogastric intubation
- Fracture Immobilisation
- Basic Life Support
- Bleeding Control
- Otorhinolaryngology cases
- Communication skills emphasised on doctor-patient communication: It includes a variety of soft skills including empathy, active listening and decision making. It will also include health literacy, how it affects a patient and the role of the doctor towards it.
Participants will have the opportunity to see the equipment and installations of a primary health care center of a picturesque village near Ioannina, called “Konitsa”. They will also discuss with rural doctors about the responsibilities and the challenges of rural service.
Collaborations
HelMSIC Summer School is organised in collaboration with the University of Ioannina, the National Emergency Aid Center and the Primary Health Care Center of Konitsa.
