The ESTRO-ESO-ESSO multidisciplinary courseinoncology was a unique experience! The course strengthened my understandingof oncology. In addition, I was looking to expand my perspectives when I applied to this course; I haveneverbeenexposedto a multidisciplinaryexperienceinaEuropeansetting. Thecourse,located this yearinPoland,providedjustthat.I have always been keen on beinginasettingthatoffersmeinsightintopracticesindifferentcountries. Havingthechancetomeetotherstudents and doctorsfrom acrosstheworld was tremendouslyfulfilling.
In regards to the course core; it was anoutstandingmixofdidacticandclinicaltrainingover atwo-week periodatPoznanUniversityofMedicalSciencesanditsaffiliated hospitals.The courseschedulewasbusyeveryday;startingwithlecturesinthemorning,clinicalrotationsinthehospitalatnoon,researchprojectsanda clinicalcase presentationintheafternoon.The course wascomprehensive innature,coveringmanyaspects of oncology. Weexplored topics from the historyofoncology up to themostimportantcancers,the standards andadvancesindiagnostics and integrative - conventional and alternative- caremanagement.We also practicedclinicalskills, whichcreatedan exceptional learning experience. Clinical rotationsinthehospitalwereveryengaging; they werehands-onandwesawplentyofcasesindifferentsettings (inpatient,outpatientandoperatingroom).Ifoundtheexposureto a widerangeofpatientswithdifferentclinicalandculturalbackgroundstobequite interesting.Clinicalcase presentationswereinteractiveandstimulatedustothinkcritically.Researchprojectshad apalpable impactonthe attendees; for instance, two of my course mates and I worked on a palliative care project.Eachofuswasrequiredtoworkonaspecificareawithin the projectthatwe presentedattheendofthecourse.Physicians and surgeons who we worked along with areeminentintheirfields.IlearnedthemostfromDr. VermorkenandDr.Schrijvers. Ihadplentyofopportunitiestointeractwiththemthroughoutthecourse. Having these discussions made me appreciate the clinical and cultural diversities and reflectedhow varied healthcaresystems affect how we approach patient care. Above all, this course compelled me to think of oncology as a potential career due to thechallenging nature of thisfieldofmedicine.
In terms of the course logistics; the housing and food could not have been better! The dorm was veryconvenient;it was locatednext tothelecturehall.The foodwasfreshly-madeandtherewas always somethingforeveryone.ThecityofPoznan, where the course was held,issmallandhasnicesummerweather.Poznanhasmanytouristicdestinationsandconnectedbyintercitypublictransportation. The cities ofWroclawand Berlinareapproximately 2-4hours away– very attractiveplacestospendaweekend! ThePoznantourprovided was remarkable. We visited most of the city’s landmark attractions that tookusbackintimetomedievalPoznan–itwasagreatwaytogetintroducedtothisbeautiful architectural city.
In conclusion, I have attendedmanycourses,butIalways enjoyed and hadthemostadmirationfortheonesthatinvolvedmeina“fullimmersion setting”, such as ESO-ESSO-ESTROmultidisciplinaryoncologycourse.This course further piqued my interest in oncology and if asked, I would encourage my fellow colleagues to seriously consider this experience.
AhmedSaleh
Intern – University of Washington, Seattle, USA
Medical student –Al-Azhar University in Cairo,Egypt