In October, 15 OMI observers traveled to Austria to attend observerships at all five of our partner institutions: the Medical University of Vienna, the General Hospital of Salzburg, the Medical Hospital Graz, Medical University of Innsbruck, and Sisters of Mercy Hospital Linz. They travelled from Albania (2), Armenia, Bulgaria (2), Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan (2), Latvia (2), Mexico, Slovakia, and Ukraine, and participated in 12 different specialties: Anesthesiology (2), Dermatology, Neonatology (2), Neurosurgery, OB/GYN, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Oncology, Pediatric Urology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Surgery. This diverse group of observers gained exposure to advanced clinical practice, modern technology, and multidisciplinary teamwork, setting the stage for knowledge transfer and innovation in their healthcare systems back home.
Across specialties, observers emphasized how the experience has influenced their clinical practice and inspired improvements in their own healthcare systems. Many described witnessing advanced procedures, innovative diagnostics, and treatment strategies that are not (yet) available in their countries.
Arturs Kalva, Latvia
OMI Observer in Dermatology
I had the chance to see high-resolution anoscopy for the first time, a technique not yet widely available in Latvia. I have already initiated discussions about introducing this examination at home, and I believe it will significantly enhance patient care for conditions I frequently encounter.
Viktoriya Bratukhina, Kazakhstan
OMI Observer in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
I was impressed by the use of focused shock wave therapy and modern ultrasound diagnostics. Observing these techniques firsthand has inspired me to implement similar individualized approaches in my clinical work back home, improving rehabilitation outcomes for patients with complex conditions.
Alžbeta Soršáková, Slovakia
OMI Observer in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
This observership opened my eyes to interdisciplinary collaboration in rare pediatric cases. It gave me new ideas on how to structure patient care and improve our local healthcare practices for children with complex conditions.
Lorena Zijaj, Albania
OMI Observer in OB/GYN
Seeing how multidisciplinary teams collaborate in prenatal care and fetal medicine has fundamentally changed my perspective on patient management. I am now motivated to bring similar structured, family-centered approaches to my hospital.
Observers emphasized that the combination of strong mentorship, daily rounds, surgical observations, and multidisciplinary case discussions enhanced both their techniques and equipped them to drive innovation and improvements in their local healthcare systems.
In addition to clinical knowledge, observers valued the opportunity to build international networks. By exchanging experiences, discussing healthcare challenges, and planning future collaborations, they laid the groundwork for ongoing professional connections.
OMI observerships are not only about gaining new skills, they form a bridge from knowledge transfer to innovation and are a platform for improving healthcare systems globally. The October observers returned home equipped with advanced clinical insights and with a broader perspective on multidisciplinary teamwork, innovation, and patient-centered care.
For more information on upcoming observership opportunities, please contact: observerships@openmedicalinstitute.org.
