In October 2023, twelve OMI fellows completed their observerships, visiting hospitals across the country in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Linz, and Innsbruck. This month, we welcomed doctors from a variety of different home countries, spanning Armenia, Belarus, Croatia, Ethiopia, Hungary, Kosovo, Nigeria, Mexico, Serbia, Slovakia, and Turkey, specializing in Pediatric Heart Surgery, Neurosurgery, Neonatology, General Pediatrics (Pediatric Nephrology), ENT, Ophthalmology, OBGYN, Cardiology, Anesthesiology, as well as Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Roland Madarász described his day-to-day life as an observer at the Department of Neurological Surgery of the Medical University of Innsbruck:
Roland Madarász, MD
OMI Observer from Hungary
“During the Observership I had the opportunity to watch more than 50 operations in the field of neurological surgery; mainly operations that are not available or are done in a different way in my country. I could also participate in the daily routine of the department, I could visit the wards, the outpatient clinic and also participate in the daily meetings and in the weekly board meetings”
Likewise, Dr. Yitbarek Fantahun Mariye, completing an Observership in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Medical University of Vienna, highlights the benefits of sharing such day-to-day experiences and international exchanges for the benefit of sharing medical knowledge and creating future learning opportunities:
Yitbarek Fantahun Mariye, MD
OMI Observer from Ethiopia
“This was a great opportunity to connect and network with physicians from Austria and physicians coming from different countries. We have exchanged different ideas and practical tips on how to improve the healthcare system of our countries and learn from each others best experiences in the field of medicine. We have also widened our personal and professional connections through which we will continuously share new knowledges and build capacities.”
Through these shared knowledge opportunities, Dr. Fidan Khalilova, an observer at the Department of General Pediatrics (Pediatric Nephrology) at the Medical University of Graz was able to improve medical practices, clinical approaches, and decision-making in pediatric neurology at her home hospital in Turkey. She continues to “actively share this knowledge with [her] colleagues, and these collaborative discussions have proven to be invaluable. [She] maintains regular discussions with a friend who is a pediatric neurologist from Salzburg, and [they] frequently review and exchange thoughts on challenging cases, which has further enhanced [her] clinical proficiency in this field.”
Lastly, the observers not only shared and exchanged medical information, but gained new insights into Austria’s (medical) history as well. Dr. Mariye shares that he “was amazed by the immense medical history of Austria and the huge contribution to medical knowledge by the Austrians. I have been perplexed by the huge history of Austrian architecture, museums, art and medicine contributed to the world.”
