Together for a Promising Future of Ostrava’s Medical Students
46 ǀ POSITIV 1/2024
ZDRAVOTNICTVÍ
Together for a Promising Future
of Ostrava’s Medical Students
The Ostrava University and the Ostrava University Hospital (FNO) have joined forces
through a memorandum documenting their cooperation and commenced the construction
of the LERCO center, a scientific research project of the university. This dual interview with
MUDr. Jiří Havrlant, Director of the Ostrava University Hospital, and doc. MUDr. Rastislav
Maďar, Dean of Ostrava University’s Medical Faculty (LF OU), will shed light on the dynamic
development of the healthcare sector in the region.
Ostrava University’s Medical Faculty and FNO
signed a memorandum in 2021 regarding mutual
cooperation. What goals did the document outline
at that time?
The law defines a University hospital as a place meant
for clinical and practical teaching of those studying
medical fields, which also includes scientific, research
and developmental activities. Our memorandum
outlines our mutual cooperation down to the smallest
detail. Within its eight chapters, it talks about
the organisational side of teaching, collective measures
regarding staff, and economic collaboration. Our
partnership is, however, not limited to these activities,
but it also includes endeavors such as research and
development. This document is historically the most
elaborate contract the faculty has ever been part of.
Over the past few years, the conditions present in
the memorandum have been bilaterally very beneficial.
Could you tell our readers some more information about
how the memorandum links your two organisations?
The heads of institutes and clinics at FN Ostrava are
often also academics that operate at the medical
faculty as leaders of institutes and departments. Thanks
to the connection between theory and practice within
our fields, our institutions area thereby linked with
a metaphorical “umbilical cord.” This is very important,
because although we fall under different jurisdictions,
meaning the Ministry of Education and Ministry of
Health, within the accreditation process, we are
evaluated as a single entity. Each clinic has a deputy head
that is responsible for education as well as research.
The selection process to appoint the heads of joined
clinics begins with a meeting between the director of
the FNO and dean of the LF OU with the purpose of
drafting a 15 member selection committee. The dean is
part of meetings held by the Board of directors at FNO
and is a member of the FNO Strategic Development
Work Group, while the FNO director is part of the
medical faculty’s Science Council, the Dean’s College
and after negotiations with the rector, even a member
of the board of directors at Ostrava University.
Both institutions combined serve to teach students
of over 20 different study programs, including
the newly introduced dentistry. Excluding
doctors you also educate nurses, obstetrician
assistants, paramedics, laboratory technicians,
physiotherapists, occupational therapists,
radiological assistants and many other highly sought
after medical specialisations. Is the mentality of your
close collaboration reflected in the practice of
graduates?
Without a doubt. The students that are taught and
gain experience in the environment of our clinics and
departments often return to work at the hospital after
graduating not only thanks to our modern equipment,
but also thanks to their personal experience in
the workplace and the social connections they
built. Thanks to the practical preparation, what our
students undergo at the training hospital that is part
of the medical faculty and the individual approach
we take in clinical education which takes place at the
hospital, our graduates become perfectly prepared to
enter any medical institution.
Continually employing graduates of the medical
faculty in hospitals within the region is key to
maintain and improve healthcare for the citizens.
What can we do to motivate young doctors to stay
within the region?
Throughout their studies, students can receive
a monthly scholarship. We offer them the guarantee
of valuable work in a modern cutting edge medical
facility, support of further education as well as
personal and professional development. They also
have the opportunity to take part in research and
grant programs. In addition to that, we offer support in
the provision of housing, placing children in preschool
institutions as well as other employee benefits. Other
hospitals within the region also have the opportunity
to interact with the students, as they undergo their
practical training and internships there. This allows
the students to spend time with local directors and
“
Theregionasawholewillgain
cungedgeinfrastructureforthework
ofresearchteamsintheeldsof
biomedicine,naturalsciencesand
behavioralhealththatwillnowbeable
toconductresearchonaninternaonally
compevescale.
”
Text: redakce
Foto:
Jana Greplová