The mobility experience of students from Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute in the framework of the Tempus project UZHELTH
The Project of UZHELTH
UZHELTH is designed to develop the capacity of Uzbek Higher Education Institutions to train public health personnel of various levels of responsibility and autonomy and in the relevant disciplinary sectors in order to enhance the level of human health in the broadest sense.
Using Tuning Methodology, UZHELTH will implement a structured process of mapping, consultation, restructuring, monitoring and evaluation to assist Uzbek HEIs to reorganize, coordinate, extend and modernize the training offered.
UZHELTH will work closely with the relevant Ministries (Higher Education, Health, Agriculture) to gather insight and promote the necessary legislation or normative changes to make state-of-the-art competence-based Learning Teaching and Assessment in the Public Health sector compatible with Ministerial directive and professional regulations.
Enhancement of single disciplinary areas (Public Health, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Food Safety and Environmental Protection, Pharmacy) will lead to the creation of an overall Sectoral Qualifications Framework (SQF), able to coordinate and give direction and coherence to the separate areas.
The UZHELTH Consortium will constitute a sustainable platform for cooperation not only between Uzbekistan and the European partners, but also with related projects and developments in the rest of the world. Through two-way consultation processes UZHELTH will create a structured relationship between the HEIs in their role as elaborators and transmitters of knowledge (education and research), with private enterprise and public bodies, introducing them as necessary partners in the creation of an efficacious overall public health system.
An overarching aim is to create a coordinated information structure for the Public Health sector in all its valences, able to put actors and stakeholders into immediate communication; and to train health personnel of all levels (technicians, experts, specialists, researchers) to utilize the system effectively.
Main Project Objectives
The wider objective of UZHEL TH is to:
- To support Uzbek HEIs and the Uzbek government in developing a holistic state-of- the-art public health sector, enhancing the formation of personnel in human and veterinary public health and food safety
Specific Project Objective/s are to:
- Develop or improve competence-based degree programmes at different levels (short, Ba, MA, PhD), in the public health sector;
- Encourage legislation to ensure compatibility of programmes with regulations;
- Enhance the ability of medical graduates (nurses, paramedics and doctors) to intervene effectively in public health matters, improving both theoretical education and practical skills;
- Enhance formation of personnel involved in veterinary public health at various levels;
- Enhance formation of personnel involved in food safety, at various levels;
- Build a shared platform for all actors in the sectors linked to public health, ensuring positive cooperation and development of common parameters;
- Develop a shared information system shared between all the actors involved, enabling intervention in public health issues in real time and coordinated fashion;
- Coordinate the design or enhancement of programmes linking up with similar efforts in other countries and regions.
About the conditions of participation and competition for the selection of students for mobility
At first, I have checked that am I eligible candidate for the UZHELTH fellowship under the Eligibility section or not, and then I have applied to the UZHELTH student mobility call. The deadline for presenting the Application was 31 December 2014. So, we all were in rush.
The competition was very hard and honest. The special group of teachers with different area field carefully checked our background with the record of transcript. Other group teachers checked our research background and our publications in medicine. For the language test they required IELTS or TOEFL result certificate. In addition we had to take speaking and writing test to check our English knowledge. After all director of innovation center with his own team had an interview with each of us to check our ability and knowledge.
. To apply for UZHELTH I have followed the step-by-step guide. The academic admission requirements was:
• A BSc degree in a field of medicine
• A Grade Point Average (GPA) for this BSc of at least 4.0 at the 5 point
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken
• Basic computer skills
Minimum level of English proficiency for MSc studies was:
• IELTS overall grade 6.0 (with a minimum sub score of 6.0 for speaking)
• TOEFL paper-based 550, computer-based 213, internet-based 79-80
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): pass at grade C or above
• Cambridge First Certificate (FCE): pass at grade B/C or above
They require a documents from me:
• my curriculum vitae in EUROPASS form
• copies of relevant diplomas, certificates and transcripts of academic records
• a reasoned account of your motivation for wanting to study or do research in)
• two letters of reference / recommendation
• a copy of your passport or identity card
• a signed printout of the declaration of honour form.
Explanation of the required documents was:
I have prepare all of my documents on A4 size paper and in English. And My motivation must include the following points:
• why you have chosen this mobility at the project UZHELTH or why you have chosen to do the research work in European University
• what value the mobility would add to your previous education
• what the mobility would mean for your future career
About Belgium and city of Ghent
Belgium officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal monarchy in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters as well as those of several other major international organisations such as NATO. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometers (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of about 11 million people. If we compare an area of Belgium with Uzbekistan. It’s little bit bigger than Kashkadarya Region with the 28,400 square kilometers, And smaller than Bukhara Region with the 39,400 square kilometers. Now you can imagine how big is Belgium.
Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups: the Dutch-speaking, mostly Flemish community, which constitutes about 59% of the population, and the French-speaking, mostly Walloon population and Brussels inhabitants, which comprises 41% of all Belgians. Additionally, there is a small group of German-speakers who are officially recognized.
Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries; it once covered a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. The region was called Belgica in Latin, after the Roman province of Gallia Belgica, which covered more or less the same area. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, the area of Belgium was a prosperous and cosmopolitan centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian Revolution in 1830, when Belgium seceded from the Netherlands, the area of Belgium served as the battleground between many European powers, causing it to be dubbed the "Battlefield of Europe," a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.
Upon its independence, Belgium participated in the Industrial Revolution and, during the course of the 20th century, possessed a number of colonies in Africa. The second half of the 20th century was marked by rising tensions between the Dutch-speaking and the French-speaking citizens fueled by differences in language and the unequal economic development of Flanders and Wallonia. This continuing antagonism has led to several far-reaching reforms, resulting in a transition from a unitary to a federal arrangement during the period from 1970 to 1993. Despite the reforms, tensions between the groups remain; the formation of a coalition government took 18 months following the June 2010 federal election.
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe with some 60,000 people in 1300 AD, 70,000 in 1400 growing to 175,000 shortly after 1500 AD. Today it is a busy city with a port and a university.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009, Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium. The current mayor of Ghent, Daniël Termont, leads a coalition of the Socialistische Partij Anders, Groen and Open VLD.
The ten-day-long "Ghent Festival" (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held every year and attended by about two million visitors.
About University of Ghent
Ghent University (Dutch: Universiteit Gent, abbreviated as UGent) is a Dutch-speaking public university located in Ghent, Belgium. It is one of the larger Flemish universities, consisting of 41,000 students and 9,000 staff members. The current rector is Anne De Paepe. As of 2014, Ghent University ranks as 90th globally according to Times Higher Education, 129th according to QS World University Rankings and 70th according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It is therefore considered to be a top university, globally.
It was established in 1817 by King William I of the Netherlands. After the Belgian revolution of 1830, it was administered by the newly formed Belgian state. French became the academic language until 1930, when Ghent University became the first Dutch-speaking university in Belgium. In 1991, the university was granted major autonomy and changed its name from State University of Ghent to its current name.
UGent distinguishes itself as a socially committed and pluralistic university in a broad international perspective.
11 faculties are composed of 117 faculty departments. These departements offer more than 230 high-quality courses in every one of their scientific disciplines, each inspired by innovative research.
Ghent University consists of eleven faculties, composed of more than 130 departments:
- Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
- Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
- Faculty of Bio-science Engineering
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Faculty of Political and Social Sciences
About prof. Dirk Avonts
Dirk Avonts. Professor at University of Ghent, Antwerp Area, Belgium
Current Medical Practice at the University of Ghent, Department of General practice and primary health care. And his Specialties: Family Medicine, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Health System Research, Quality of care in primary care. Elected member of the Green Party in the Social Service Council of the city of Antwerp.
Previous, he used to work at the University of Antwerp, as a Family Doctors, and at the Institute of Tropical Medicine. His Education was at the University of Antwerp, Department of General practice and primary health care.
Medical research in primary care settings, especially in the field of infectious diseases: upper respiratory tract and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Involved in outreach projects to detect MSM (Men who have Sex with Men) with unknown chronic STI-infections. Broad experience in the education of medical doctors and family doctors in Belgium: interactive lessons, seminars, skill training, peer review, personal coaching of starting family doctors. Prof. Avonts special interest: the influence of air pollution on the health of people, especially the impact of traffic on the health of vulnerable people living or working in the neighbourhood of busy roads.
In addition he works and busy with Research, Infectious Diseases, Family Medicine, Teaching, Public Health, Writing, Public Speaking, Hospitals, Healthcare, Primary Care.
Health care system in Belgium
Healthcare in Belgium is mainly the responsibility of the federal minister and the ("Public Administration for Public Health and Social Security"). For some matters responsibility is delegated to the authorities of the communities, but in practise these responsibilities are exercised by the governments of the Flemish and Walloon (French) regions and the German-speaking community. Both the Belgian federal government and the Regional governments have ministers for public health and a supportive administrative civil service
Healthcare structure In Belgium
- Public health care (government)
- Private services
- Non-governmental organization (NGO)
Free choice of a doctor, Direct access to specialized care, No gatekeeping
Direct access to Emergency departments, Secondary and tertiary care, No registration or patient-list
Public health care (government): There are In Patient and Out Patient service
- Out Patient: Primary Family Medicine clinics, Wachtpost (for weekend service on primary level), Health care centers. Palliative home care
- In Patient: District hospitals, Referral hospitals, Palliative care Units. Mandatory health insurance
Private services: There are In Patient and Out Patient service
Out Patient: Private Doctors, Private outpatient clinics.
In Patient: Private Hospitals. Mandatory health insurance
Non-governmental organization (NGO): European Public Health Alliance, Foundations in Western countries, EMERGENCY Brussels, Red Cross, Medicine, Without Border
Payment In the medical care: “Full coverage” social security, Mandatory health insurance, National organized and obligatory, Reimbursement ¾ of the real medical cost, Special Groups which covered with national health care system; Prisoners, Homeless people, Persons with illegal status.
Belgium's first line healthcare practitioners: 8200 Family Doctors = 0,8/1000.
In Uzbekistan, in our polyclinic minimum 4 GP work with the different sub-specialty. But in Belgium there is Family doctor that gives comprehensive health care for people of all ages with their different type of sickness. Family doctor in Belgium work individual.
SWOT-analysis of Belgium Primary Healthcare
Strengths of individual work In Belgium: Independence, considerable day-to-day autonomy. Easy to build doctor-patient relationship. Prevents re-exams from other GP. Cost effectiveness for the Health care. Time effectiveness to the patients
Young doctors are not full-time physicians. (Median age is over 50 with more experience.
Weakness of individual work In Belgium: Isolated, You may miss intellectual teamwork. Lonely, Can be socially isolated in small or unfriendly practices. Hard to work as a young doctor without experience. Makes more clinical complications and high rate of miss diagnosis, miss treatment. Makes more hospitalizations to get consultation from other doctor. Lack of gatekeeping.
Opportunities of individual work In Belgium: Build his own confidence. Manage the patient on his own without any interruption. It’s easier to concentrate on focus. Engaged young doctors with the new practice-models. Out of hour’s primary care
Threats of teamwork In Belgium: Individual worker will be responsible for the complications. To misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Lack of personal relationships.
The brightest moments of Mobility
I have great impression after a visit to Belgium. Bicycles were first of my impression. There are lots-lots of bicycles in the cities. Before my visit to Belgium I thought that I would see most crowded streets with full of very popular cars including Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari and all other luxury cars. Instead of luxurious cars in the parking lots I came across with different sorts of bicycles, including Dutch Roadster bicycle, Chopper bicycle, Touring bicycle, Party bike, Folding bicycle, Recumbent bicycle, Classic bicycle, Sport bicycle with the male and female saddles. I was shocked when I saw that all the employees of the Ghent University are bike to get the everyday work. There were special roads, traffic lights, special parking lot for the bikers. And amazing part is no matter if it's raining or snowing or sunny weather. They have special clothes for all season. Or they can just swipe the snow or rain water on the saddle of the bike and keep using a bicycle. The essential part of it, they don't think of the troublehood of biking when it's heavy rain or snow, they just very much enjoying when they are biking. And of course main purpose is to prevent from the air, noise pollution; traffic will not be jam and will be much safer for the inhabitants of the city.
My other impression was Belgium people are very familiar with the noise disturbance. And they are aware of how noise pollution can affect for their health. They are trying to protect and reduce the noise in their city, neighborhood and around their living area. For that reason they have built the special noise barrier on the both side of the car bridges, made underground tunnels for the cars, try to ride a bike, take a train or public transportation rather than car drive. Actually, impressive fact on my observation is here, not only primary healthcare providers are maintaining the public health. The actual people are taking care of their health, too, and maintaining the public health in a right condition. They bike to be healthy, and when they bike, they prevent air and noise pollution that affects on the public heath level. It makes road safer for the local people which also affect for the public health.
I can't skip without stopping to tell my impression about architecture of the Belgium. The huge Central station of Antwerp, Korenlei and Graslei (House of the Grain Weighers) which were built 1435, and old historical cathedrals are example of it. They are amazing and give extra beauty to the cities.
What I learned
On my one-month student mobility training I mainly learnt about Belgian healthcare system and its functions. While learning Belgian healthcare structure we mostly emphasized on the role and functions of the primary healthcare and primary healthcare providers. The main target on the objective study was to maintain and improve the public health. Learning how to determine the problems of the public health is essential and considered as a difficult start point. Prof. Dirk Avonts taught me how to finding out the facts that can influence on the public health based on the area and culture. Finding out the useful solution and use that in a practice improves the public health and helps to increase population's life quality index.
Learning how to read medical articles, understand the graphics, analyze by the epidemiological and statistical way was the knowledge what I gathered while the mobility.
In addition prof. Dirk Avonts taught me "learn how to learn" on the objective and subjective way. Learning how to write a reflection paper was the very interesting part of it. Because when I reflect my knowledge on the paper, I know and can see what I know. Other interesting part on the subjective knowledge was learning how to make a multiple test questions. Prof. Avonts makes a Multiple Test Questions for Ghent student and he says that when you make those tests, actually you are testing yourself at first. Grading your knowledge by making the test force you to come back to the subject and suggest you to re-read that again until the level of complete knowledge.
How will I use this knowledge and experience?
I will use my knowledge, experience every day in my life, and in my future. And also I will share my experience with my family members, with my neighbors, with my friends, with the other students and with my teachers. I will share my knowledge with the young, mid age and even elderly people. Thanks for my university that they are providing me a big and small auditorium where I can make a PowerPoint presentation about my European experience from the project of UZHELTH.
Acknowledgements
I take this opportunity and would like to express my deepest appreciation to all those who provided me the possibility to complete this UZHELTH Student Mobility training period. A special gratitude I give to my Rector Prof. B.T. Daminov and home Coordinator, Mr. Sherzod Ashirbaev.
Furthermore, I would also like to acknowledge with much appreciation to the UZHELTH project Assistant Dr. Laura Burgisano. I express my deepest thanks to prof. Dirk Avonts, for his necessary advices and guidance and arranged all facilities to make my mobility easier. I would like to thank the rest of our team member including Mrs. Delfien Cloet and to Mrs. Carole Picavet. Special thanks goes to the Department of General practice and primary health care faculty members and for the University of Ghent for their help and support.
Finally yet importantly, many thanks go to the Rector’s Delegate for European Programmes, head of the UZHELTH project prof. Ann Katherine Isaacs, whose have invested her full effort in guiding the team in achieving the goal.
Jasur Tagaev,
Master student of TPMI