Ternopil State Medical University students are undergoing practical training in Caritas

On July 4^th fifth-year students of the medical faculty of Ternopil State Medical University started internship with the charity Caritas, where they carry out medical examinations and give advice to people from socially disadvantaged groups. Every day from 12.00 to 14.00 the future doctors take care of their patients. It has to be said that there were more students wishing to work with Caritas than available slots, so TSMU will continue this collaboration in the future.

Associate professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery Inga Kubei said that this experience will help medical students become more sensitive to the needs of their patients. “Of course, the doctor should be highly professional, but another important part of their work is humanity and compassion in treating the patients. We wanted that the young people worked with people in need of primary care and those that sometimes need more, such as psychological help. This is a big step in the social growth of future doctors. Here students acquire practical skills, and they must rely on their own strengths, since they are working independently, “- added Inga Kubei.

Associate professor of the Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery Tamara Vorontsova said that prior to starting their internship, all students received necessary training on providing medical care in such charity institutions. “In the training we emphasize that profession of doctor involves working with different groups of people, so one needs to be ready for anything. We plan to continue this practical training during school year as well. It’s nice that the leadership of Caritas and TSMU and promote such cooperation “, – said Tamara.

Student Katheryna Bunt said that it was her own decision to choose Caritas as a place of practical. Here she has an opportunity to diagnose and talk to people from disadvantaged groups. “We understand that in real-life medical situation we will have to work with different groups of patients, so it is better be ready for this starting as a student” –  she shared her impressions.

Her colleague Volodymyr Hutsul said that the conditions in Caritas are different from those in a regular hospital, and the patients need special consideration and understanding. However, in his opinion, this is what makes working in Caritas particularly interesting.

There are two more fifth-year students in the cohort of volunteer interns,  Vitaliy Libernyi and Maxym Vashchenko. The latter added that many people come to Caritas to talk and receive psychological support which for them is important, since they are often lonely and for them communication is a necessity.