The beginning of September at RSU Red Cross Medical College (RSU RCMC) has seen another big event – an online discussion of polytrauma patient care between experts from Latvia and Israel. The event was delayed by two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but finally, thanks to dedication of both sides, representatives of RSU RCMC (Latvia) and Bar-Ilan University (Israel), as well as medical workers from Emergency Medicine services, surgeons and doctors came together to analyse and discuss the details of polytrauma patient care based on the experience from both countries.

First, Viktors Gorovenko, RSU RCMC study program “Treatment/Emergency medicine physician assistant” director talked about the background of the project, highlighting the importance of understanding polytrauma patient care distinctive features across the world and priceless experience of our Israel colleagues in this field with the civil and military background.

Then Director of RSU RCMC Ināra Upmale gave her opening speech, stating that this event is the result of tight collaboration between the two schools. She thanked experts on both sides who took their time organising this event that will help medical workers and students to develop professional skills in polytrauma patient treatment. The event then proceeded with an educational film focused on polytrauma patient treatment made by RSU RCMC students and their colleagues. The film showed several aspects of the pre-hospital stage of treatment: general procedures and steps as well as possible mistakes. Experts from both sides were then invited to discuss and make comments about the film.

The online event is only a part of the larger Erasmus+ project Nr. 2020-1-LV01- KA107-077258 between the two schools. Professor Alex Lerner from Bar-Ilan
university stressed that it is “in such professional discussions we learn from each other, which will ultimately improve the quality of care for our patients. We must continue this, preferably also face to face”.

Dr. Dafna Willner reiterated the need to meet offline: “I found it to be very insightful and informative as well as interesting to hear different approaches from experienced colleagues in Latvia and Israel. Congratulations on a job well done and looking forward to future collaborations, hopefully in person”.

Dr. Vjačeslavs Gorovenko encouraged all viewers and those who did not have a chance to view the stream watch the available recording: “This was in general a pretty big event with exchange in experience. The discussion part, one would hope, was useful not only to the participants, but to the audience as well”.

Host of the event Dagnija Vidomska said that the event was beneficial in many ways: it both provided knowledge and competence in the medical field, as well as strengthened the international cooperation and communication between the parties involved.

Viktors Gorovenko once again stressed that the event was extremely informative, providing information and opinion on some of the controversial questions in
polytrauma patient care “In this format of a well-organized discussion any medical professional would enrich their own knowledge and expand their horizon”

Dr. Eli Kakiashvili also stressed, “Interaction like this affects and improves the quality of treatment that we provide for our patients”.

The College and the event team would like to thank for participation and filming students of RSU RCMC study program “Treatment/ Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant”:
Anastasija Sadikova,
Iļja Korčagins,
Jaroslava Katina,
Ramona Eimane,
and RSU 6th year student:
Aleksandra Kamenska.

The online discussion ‘Polytrauma patient treatment: Latvia and Israel’ is held within the framework of Erasmus+ program (Project Nr. 2020-1-LV01_KA107-077258).

The discussion is organized and supported by: RSU Red Cross Medical College, Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital, Emergency Medical Assistance Department, BAR – ILAN University, Galilee Medical Center, Poria Medical Center.

You can watch the discussion here (EN)!