In May, fourteen observers visited Austria for an observership in twelve different specialties; twelve observers for a one-month clinical stay, one observer for a three-month research observership in Salzburg, and one observer for a two-month research observership in Vienna. The observers traveled to Austria from Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Ethiopia, Lithuania, Latvia, Mexico, Moldova, Poland, Turkey, and Vietnam. They attended three different hospitals: Vienna General Hospital, Salzburg General Hospital, and the University Hospital of Graz.
When asked what impact the observership experience had on their professional medical development and what new medical experiences and perspectives they witnessed, many observers had something to say:
Guadie Wondimagegn, MD
OMI observer from Ethiopia
The quality of care at Salzburg General Hospital is something I want to implement into my practice at home, and the advancement of medical practice I observed makes me want to push to do more. I learned lots of surgical tips that will improve the methods I have been practicing.
Aiste Urbonaite, MD
OMI observer from Lithuania
The biggest eye-opener during the OMI observership for me was seeing how the same everyday work is managed in a different location, by a different team, and with different resources. I got to evaluate, learn, and adapt these aspects to my everyday practice. I have learned both technical and non-technical skills that are new to me, and one month was a good amount of time to see new things, understand them in detail, and think of ways I will implement them in my everyday work back at home.
Vania Itzel Aguirre Rojano, MD
OMI observer from Mexico
My perspectives have changed; I am now looking to get more involved in research projects and, of course, try to contribute at my home hospital in Mexico.
Justyna ZajÄ…c, MD
OMI observer from Poland
I believe the observership did influence my perspective on the importance of teamwork in the care of trauma patients – I knew it was essential, just never experienced it so well executed in a real-life setting.
Vladimir Smetanca, MD
OMI observer from the Republic of Moldova
An observership is an opportunity, away from daily routine, to reflect on your achievements and path, and to compare them with how medical activity is carried out in another country. Participation in an observership includes the professional medical aspect, where I understood the importance of maintaining classical techniques with good outcomes, even with the latest equipment, the fundamentals remain the same, as well as the preparation for new technologies, such as robotic otologic surgery with ‘Hearo’.
There is also the personal side: I discovered the joy of traveling and hiking. You learn from the experiences of colleagues from different countries, which can serve as inspiration for your own development.
These different experiences characterize an OMI observership month throughout the different hospitals in Austria. If you wish to participate yourself, the next application round will open on Aug. 15, 2025, on the OMI platform.
