UNAIR NEWS 鈥 Stepping into operating rooms and observing neurosurgical procedures firsthand in Europe became a reality for Hanifa Lathfi Amali. The 2023 cohort medical student from the Faculty of Medicine,
东京热 (FK UNAIR), recently completed a one-month clinical exchange at Kram谩re Hospital in Bratislava, Slovakia, through the Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE) of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA).
Amali was not the only Indonesian participant in the exchange. Together with five other
delegates, she had the opportunity to gain firsthand medical experience in Europe. Her participation was also supported by the university’s policy, which encourages student organizations to carry out international outbound programs.
鈥淲e went through several stages of the selection process, including an English proficiency test and an interview. The university and the student organization were very supportive of the program, while also requiring us to make thorough preparations, such as obtaining health insurance and keeping international emergency contacts on hand to anticipate any unexpected situations,鈥 Amali said.
Clinical experience in Slovakia
During her placement at Kram谩re Hospital, Amali began each day with morning rounds alongside the neurosurgery specialists before preparing to enter the operating room in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard sterilization protocols.
鈥淒uring the morning rounds, we discussed the outcomes of previous surgeries and planned the procedures for the day, including the surgical techniques that would be used,鈥 Amali explained.
For Amali, the most valuable part of the experience was seeing anatomical structures firsthand after previously studying them only through textbooks. She also had the opportunity to observe the application of advanced medical technologies, ranging from fluorescence-guided surgical microscopes to artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted ultrasound for tumour localisation.
鈥淥ne of the most memorable cases I observed was a transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection. The surgeons removed the brain tumour through the sphenoid bone inside the nose, so there was no need to open the patient’s skull. I also saw a technique in which the dura mater was repaired using a layer of the patient’s skull bone. It was truly fascinating,鈥 Amali recalled enthusiastically.
Despite the hospital’s advanced medical technologies, language remained a challenge throughout the exchange. While neurosurgery specialists were required to be proficient in English, the same was not always true for senior nurses. As a result, Amali often relied on gestures and non-verbal communication to interact with them.
鈥淭here was one time when we asked for a long-sleeved disposable scrub gown because we wear the hijab. The nurse nodded, but instead of bringing the gown, she came back with sterile cotton pads. We all laughed about the misunderstanding and ended up wearing the standard scrub gowns that were available,鈥 Amali recalled.
A cross-cultural exchange beyond the clinic
Beyond the clinical experience, the program also provided a valuable opportunity for cross-cultural exchange. A total of 25 medical students from countries including Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Tunisia, Canada, and Egypt took part in the program in Bratislava.
鈥淭he local committee organized a wide range of activities, from a welcome party and city tours of Bratislava and Trnava to swimming in the Danube Lake and preparing and sharing traditional dishes from each participant’s home country during the National Food and Beverage Party,鈥 Amali said.
The experience not only strengthened Amali’s clinical competencies and broadened her global perspective, but also contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 4 (Quality Education), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
鈥淭he preclinical phase of medical school only lasts about three and a half years. Opportunities like this do not come twice, and the world is much bigger than we often imagine. Strengthen your English skills, learn about your destination country, and stay active in student organizations. The professional connections you build today will become invaluable as you begin your career as a doctor,鈥 Amali concluded.
Author: Muhammad Yasir Dharmawan D.
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
