Tag: Caen

Clinical Clerkship Program in CHU de Caen, France –Clinical Clerkship Program in CHU de Caen, France –

November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 | pbnbigesdipbnbigesdi | 0 Comment | 3:03 am

In order to undergo the Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) block, the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga (FK UNAIR), gives its students the option to undergo this activity in the form of KKN Penyetaraan, a program that is offered for students to carry out student exchange activities abroad as a form of KKN.

This July, I joined the professional exchange program or often referred to as clinical clerkship offered by the Center for Indonesian Medical Student Activities (CIMSA) Universitas Airlangga for the class of 2020. This activity was held in Caen, France starting for the period  of July 3rd to the 28th,  and became an important activity in the framework of the implementation of clinical clerkship program hosted by The International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) with the Association Nationale des Etudiants en Médecine de France (ANEMF).

The Professional Exchange Program is a full education program that offers internships to medical students abroad. Each year, around 13.000 students from more than 90 countries travel around the world to discover new health systems, new cultures, and promote global health and cross-cultural understanding.

Center Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Caen, also known as Caen University Hospital, is a large public hospital located in Caen, Normandy, France. This hospital is one of the largest and leading medical facilities in the region and serves as both a teaching hospital and a general hospital. CHU de Caen offers patients a variety of medical services and specialty services. These services include emergency care, surgery, oncology, cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatry, and many other medical and surgical disciplines. As a university hospital, it is also involved in medical research and innovation. As a university hospital, CHU de Caen plays an important role in medical education and training. The hospital is affiliated with the University of Caen Normandy, and medical students, as well as resident doctors, receive practical training and hands-on experience in various hospital departments.

The first day of my internship at the hospital, I was placed in the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology department. The hospital itself is very big, but fortunately there were no language difficulties as the majority of the hospital staff could speak English. All doctors, residents and nurses are also very kind and friendly. Every day I was invited to participate in various activities at the hospital, from attending doctor’s consultations with patients to observing emergency surgeries.

Almost every day the orthopedic surgery department always holds a staff meeting which was attended by all department staff, from the head of the department, the junior doctor on duty, interns to senior chiefs. On this occasion, several doctors had their turn to present their cases to the head of the department and discuss them starting with the chief complaint of the patient, the diagnosis, to the management of therapy. This meeting  usually lasts around 30 minutes – 1 hour, depending on the number of doctors presenting that day. After finishing, then the doctors and other staff continue their activities on that day and usually after that I can join the doctor’s activities.

Furthermore, during my study in Caen I had learned a lot about the French healthcare system, with it being one of the most highly regarded healthcare system in the world. France runs a statutory health insurance (SHI) program that offers all inhabitants access to coverage. Employee and employer contributions, as well as a rising amount of specified taxes on a variety of income, are used to fund the system. The two main programs that offer SHI have the same coverage and benefit policies and are both focused on the agriculture industry. At the national level, funds are consolidated with the potential for program-to-program subsidies. A significant part is also played by voluntary, supplemental private health insurance (VHI). Nearly 95% of people have access to VHI, with 10.5% of people receiving means-tested subsidies and 8% of lower-income people receiving full subsidies. Around 83% of overall health spending is covered by SHI, with the remaining 17% coming from private insurance and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses. France offers a wide range of benefits and has modest OOP costs. However, some products, such as dental and optical equipment, are not covered by SHI due to cost constraints. SHI pays for over 90% of hospital care expenses, but just 44% of ambulatory (outpatient) care expenses for non-pharmaceutical medical supplies.

I am very grateful for the opportunity given to join the SCOPE exchange program in CHU de Caen, France. I gained a lot of experience and knowledge while at CHU. Before joining this program, there were still many things I didn’t know about like hands-on clinical skills and knowledge. However, after joining this program, I got a lot of guidance and more knowledge that I will bring and apply when I become a young doctor. I also realized that through this program a lot of knowledge about different applications of the national health system in France and Indonesia and also about the various medical cultures that exist there. Also new understandings like intercultural learning and also exchanging culture, thoughts, and language with the other incomings or exchange students while I was there. After completing this program, I feel more motivated to learn and to be able to develop myself to become a better doctor and improve my teamwork skills for the future.

Sources:

  • Professional exchanges (scope) (2023) IFMSA. Available at: https://ifmsa.org/standing-committees/professional-exchanges/ (Accessed: 07 September 2023).
  • Chu Caen Normandie – centre hospitalier universitaire caen normandie (no date) CHU Caen Normandie – Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Caen Normandie. Available at: https://www.chu-caen.fr/ (Accessed: 07 September 2023).
  • France Health System Information (no date) World Health Organization. Available at: https://eurohealthobservatory.who.int/countries/france (Accessed: 07 September 2023).

By: Indriani Putri Paramitha

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Clinical Clerkship in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department at CHU de Caen Normandie, France –Clinical Clerkship in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department at CHU de Caen Normandie, France –

November 10, 2023November 10, 2023 | pbnbigesdipbnbigesdi | 0 Comment | 12:46 am

In July 2023, I had the honour of participating in a clinical clerkship in a French port city named Caen, courtesy of the esteemed International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) program. This month-long educational endeavour gave me the privilege of immersing myself in the cardiothoracic surgery at the CHU de Caen, Normandie. This educational experience has expanded my medical knowledge and skill set while also receiving a broader perspective on the intricacies of modern healthcare.

CHU de Caen, Normandie is one of the largest public health organisations in the Normandy region, France. The hospital, located on the Côte de Nacre street, is a 23-story monoblock tower built by Henry Bernard in the 1970s and started operating in 1975 in response to a lack of patient accommodation at other hospitals in the city of Caen. It is a referral hospital and the centre for teaching, innovation, and research, CHU de Caen is responsible for serving the 3 million people in the region. As a teaching hospital, CHU de Caen accommodates 4,135 prospective doctors, nurses, and caregivers from Université de Caen Normandie. The hospital is also a training centre for emergency care.

In France, as in many parts of the world, coronary heart disease (CHD) has consistently maintained its standing as a leading cause of mortality. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that CHD ranked as the primary cause of death for males and the second most prevalent cause of death for females. Alarming statistics have revealed that, at present, one individual falls to a cardiovascular event every four seconds. Perhaps even more concerning is the observation that these cardiovascular events are increasingly affecting the younger demographic, as reported by Fondation de France in 2021. These statistics have propelled the field of cardiothoracic surgery to the front line of healthcare in France. Due to the high prevalence of CHD, the predominant surgical procedure that filled the operating rooms throughout the month of July was the Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG). Additionally, several patients underwent heart valve replacement surgeries or the Bentall procedure, all of which represented the complexity of cardiothoracic surgery. These surgical interventions represented the cutting edge of cardiothoracic surgery, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to provide its patients the highest standard of care.

Beyond the operating rooms, the educational component of my clerkship was equally enlightening. One memorable highlight was a comprehensive lecture delivered by one of the esteemed doctors on Acute Aortic Dissection (ADD) and other related diseases. This lecture deepened my understanding of these critical conditions and served as a testament to the hospital’s dedication to knowledge dissemination and continuous medical education.

In conclusion, the month-long clinical clerkship at CHU de Caen stands as a defining moment in my medical journey. The experience not only offered a glimpse of cardiothoracic surgery but also provided a profound understanding of the challenges posed by cardiovascular diseases in society. I am immensely grateful for the privilege of learning medicine in the heart of Normandy, France.

Reference:

data.who.int. (n.d.). France data | World Health Organization. [online] Available at: https://data.who.int/countries/250.

Fondation de France. (2021). Cardiovascular Disease. [online] Available at: https://www.fondationdefrance.org/en/cardiovascular-disease#:~:text=Cardiovascular%20diseases%3A%20a%20major%20public%20health%20challenge [Accessed 19 Sep. 2023].

Article Arranged by : Faiza Khansa Tsabita Zulkarnaen (FK UNAIR, 012011133064)

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An In-Depth Exploration of Orthopaedic and Traumotology Clinical Clerkship at CHU Caen –An In-Depth Exploration of Orthopaedic and Traumotology Clinical Clerkship at CHU Caen –

November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 | pbnbigesdipbnbigesdi | 0 Comment | 12:08 pm

During the month of July in the year 2023, I was afforded the esteemed privilege of engaging in a clinical clerkship opportunity in the charming French port city of Caen, thanks to the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) program. This immersive educational experience, spanning a full month, provided me with the unique opportunity to delve deeply into the realm of c at the renowned CHU de Caen in Normandie, France. This invaluable exposure has not only enriched my medical knowledge and skill set but has also broadened my perspective, offering profound insights into the intricacies and complexities that define contemporary healthcare practices.

Orthopedic diseases, impacting people of all ages and backgrounds globally, pose a substantial healthcare burden in France as well. Musculoskeletal disorders, including prevalent conditions like osteoarthritis, are a significant contributor to healthcare visits and hospitalizations, reflecting the country’s aging population. The demand for orthopedic care and surgical interventions remains high. Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach encompassing prevention, early diagnosis, and innovative treatments. Collaborative efforts among orthopedic specialists and multidisciplinary healthcare teams are essential for comprehensive patient care and improving quality of life (French Ministry of Health, 2021; The Lancet, 2019).

In conjunction with my observations within the operating theaters, the educational aspect of my clinical clerkship provided a profoundly enlightening experience. A standout moment from this educational journey was a comprehensive lecture delivered by a highly esteemed physician, focusing on topics such as Knee Replacement Surgery and other related diseases and surgical interventions. This lecture not only significantly enriched my comprehension of these pivotal medical conditions but also underscored the hospital’s unwavering commitment to the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of ongoing medical education.

My time at CHU de Caen as a clinical clerk has been a defining chapter at CHU de Caen represents a pivotal milestone in my medical voyage. This immersive encounter not only afforded me insights into the realm of orthopedic surgery but also imparted a profound appreciation for the complex issues presented by orthopedic diseases within our society. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to study medicine in the heart of Normandie, France.

Reference:

  1. French Ministry of Health. (2021). Rapport sur l’état de santé de la population en France. [Health report on the state of the population in France]. Retrieved From [https://drees.solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2022-09/DD102EMB.pdf]
  1. The Lancet. (2019). Orthopaedic surgery in France: challenges and perspectives. The Lancet Rheumatology, 1(1), e7. doi:10.1016/S2665-9913(19)30002-3.

Article Arranged by M. Pradjanto (FK UNAIR, 012011133070)

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