Representatives of the German medical network Erzgebirgsklinikum — formed by hospitals in Annaberg, Stollberg, Zschopau and Olbernhau — visited Wroclaw Medical University. The visit provided an opportunity to sign an annex to the bilateral agreement in force since 2021 and to discuss further development of educational cooperation, particularly in the field of clinical training for medical students enrolled in the English-language MD program.
The Erzgebirgsklinikum delegation included Marcel Koch, hospital director; Dr. Oliver Fuchs, medical director and head of the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery; Dr. Kristin Tischendorf, head of the Department of General and Vascular Surgery and the Colorectal Cancer Treatment Center; and Dr. Kathrin Gumprecht-Fleck, head of the Emergency Department.
During their stay, the guests visited the University Clinical Hospital and the Medical Simulation Center, where they became familiar with the university’s teaching and clinical infrastructure.
The key point of the visit was the signing of an annex to the agreement, which will increase the number of students able to complete practical clinical training at the German institution.
Erzgebirgsklinikum, which hospitalizes nearly 35,000 patients annually across departments with a total of 955 beds, offers sixth-year English Division (ED) students the opportunity to complete clinical classes within its facilities. The training follows the schedule established by the university, while final examinations are conducted in Wrocław.
The program is primarily intended for ED students who speak German, enabling them to communicate directly with patients without a language barrier.
During the meeting, ED students had the opportunity to receive detailed information about the organization of the placements. The most frequently asked questions concerned the number of available places, the application process, required language certificates, group sizes on hospital wards, as well as work organization and the rules regarding make-up classes in the event of absences.
“Expanding cooperation with Erzgebirgsklinikum is another important step in the internationalization of education at our university. For students, it is not only an opportunity to gain experience in a different healthcare system, but above all a chance for direct patient contact and the development of clinical competencies in an international environment,” emphasized Dr. hab. Katarzyna Neubauer, prof. UMW, Vice-Dean for English Division Education at the Faculty of Medicine.
The signed annex opens new opportunities for Wroclaw Medical University students and further strengthens cooperation with the German partner.
Photo: Tomasz Walów