Vivid impressions, practical skills and new professional horizons – with such achievements, 4th year students of ONMedU Faculty of Medicine Anna Morgun and Albina Dyomochka returned from clinical practice at the Medical University of Vienna.

Anna Morgun, one of the participating students, shares her impressions:

“I, Anna Morgun, a 4th year student, group 3 of Odessa National Medical University, underwent clinical practice from 03.03.2025 to 05.23.2025 at the Medical University of Vienna (Medizinische Universität Wien) on the basis of the AKH Wien hospital – one of the largest and most modern clinics in Europe. During this time, I underwent practice in several departments: visceral surgery, emergency care, pediatrics, and plastic surgery.

Practice at AKH Wien was an invaluable experience for me. I participated in daily short morning clinical meetings to discuss patient status, treatment plans, and surgical procedures. Every day, I independently drew blood, measured blood pressure, performed ECGs, took medical histories, performed physical examinations, inserted venous and urinary catheters, performed dressings, and prepared patients for procedures. I was able to observe radiographs, ultrasound, CT, MRI, and invasive procedures, including arterial access and central catheters.

I not only observed, but also regularly assisted in operations, including:
• breast resections for cancer (Mammateilresektion),
• thyroidectomies and hemithyroidectomies,
• parathyroidectomies,
• plastic reconstructions after burns,
• forearm tissue transplantation
• mammoplasty, gynecomastia correction,
• open decompression of the median nerve for carpal tunnel syndrome,
• a long 8-hour muscle and skin reconstruction operation in a patient diagnosed with Cutis laxa.

My experience in observing DaVinci-assisted operations was especially valuable, in particular for:
• chronic pancreatitis,
• removal of the rectum with the formation of a direct anastomosis,
• interventions in the gastrointestinal tract.

It was also interesting to observe how, during complex cases, surgical intervention was switched from laparoscopic to open access – this allowed me to understand surgical tactics in unforeseen situations more deeply.

In the emergency department, I worked in the outpatient clinic, the admission department, the wards, and intensive care. I was present during Herzalarm – emergency calls in cases of cardiac arrest or severe heart failure. These situations required a lightning-fast response from the team of doctors. I participated in establishing venous access, catheterizations, digital rectal examination in case of suspected bleeding, sonography, examination of the injured, emergency care, as well as in psychological support for patients with mental disorders and suicidal thoughts.

In the pediatrics department, I had the opportunity to work in the nephrology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology departments, to be present during endoscopic examinations in children, and to observe pediatric dialysis and apheresis. This gave me a deeper understanding of the approaches to treating children with chronic pathologies.

The attitude of the staff was professional and very warm. Despite the language barrier, I always felt supported and genuinely interested in my studies. The doctors were willing to explain the course of interventions, share their experiences, and involve me in discussions. This not only helped to improve my clinical skills, but also significantly improved my German language skills.

The practice made an indelible impression on me and further confirmed my desire to become a doctor. I saw how one of the most efficient healthcare systems in the world functions, and received a powerful incentive for professional development.

I would like to sincerely thank Odessa National Medical University for this opportunity. I believe that such practices should be available to more students. It would be great if the university also introduced practical training on dummies, laparoscopic, suturing and surgical courses – this would significantly strengthen the preparation for clinical activity.

I especially remembered the meeting with a doctor of Ukrainian origin, Doctor of Medical Sciences Mariana Teufelsbauer, with whom I had the honor of working during a long reconstruction operation for cutis laxa. It was not only a professional event, but also an emotional inspiration – to see how Ukrainian doctors make a significant contribution to European medicine.

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